*Amelia*
I grab my stomach and exhale slowly, trying to work through another practice contraction. My doctor has assured me it’s just my body preparing me to deliver. If these are the practice ones, my hopes of a medicine-free delivery are out the window.
Finally, it passes. The first time, I got Jim and had him rush me to the hospital. The doctor assured us I was just fine and Abe was not coming. The next two times, Jim made me go. I won’t tell him this time, though the pain is more intense. The doctor told me I’d know the difference when they were real.
“Hey, Darlin’,” Jim smiles as he walks down the stairs.
“Hey,” I say, plastering a smile on my face. I can’t let him know. I can’t handle the shame of showing up to the hospital again for another false alarm.
He tilts his he
