Chapter 156
“You’re awesome.” She held William’s hands as he helped her to ease her body onto the pliable rubber. Lynn wiggled around until her butt felt comfortable. William released Lynn’s hands only after assuring her gait on the ball was stable. “I think I’m in love with this ball,” she exclaimed. With another wiggle, she spread her legs and leaned forward just enough to relieve some of the pressure on her lower back.
“Don’t let Alexis hear you say that or she’ll be jealous,” William laughed. He rubbed the top of Lynn’s head before crossing the floor and opening the can of paint. He poured a bit of the blue into a trough before dipping the roller inside.
“Now that would be funny if my wife was jealous of a gigantic blue ball.” Lynn squirmed about on the ball before moving both hands to rest on the center of her protruding abdomen. “I don’t know how much longer I can stand this,” she groaned. “Charlene is a bit worried because at the last appointment with her my blood pressure was slightly elevated.” At thirty-six weeks, Lynn’s blood pressure was slowly climbing to a level that caused her midwives worry to peak. Although she had not planned to return to Doctor Rollins for the remainder of her pregnancy, she’d gone in for a checkup per Charlene’s instructions.
“What did Doctor Rollins say,” William asked with a glance over his shoulder.
“When I went to Doctor Rollins, my blood pressure was 128 over 85. Doctor Rollins and Charlene were both a bit concerned with preeclampsia. They want my blood pressure monitored on a daily basis until the babies are born. Charlene showed Alexis how to use a blood pressure cuff. Actually,” she leaned back slightly. “Doctor Rollins wanted to induce labor. I wouldn’t let him because my creatinine test and my blood work came back normal. I tweeted something yesterday to my fans and…I never realized some could be so cruel.”
“What happened, sweetheart?” William stopped painting to look at Lynn.
Lynn shrugged. “It’s just some of their comments. Going into this, I knew that not everyone supported home birth. I just didn’t realize how cruel some would be. One woman tweeted to me saying how I should burn in hell because I was putting my babies in danger. She had the nerve to say God meant for babies to be born in hospitals.” She narrowed her eyes, shaking her head in disgust. “I mean, seriously? Not that I’m overly religious or anything but Christians believe Jesus was born in a manger. So if they believe that, what’s wrong with me giving birth to my children at home? I just don’t understand.” She threw her hands in the hair, wobbling around on the ball.
William released a breath. He walked over and knelt in front of Lynn, placing both palms on her knees. “Ignore them, baby. It doesn’t matter where you give birth. There are risks with either choice you make. You have to make your own choice as to which one you feel is safest.”
“I know,” Lynn whispered. “And I have made my choice. I just don’t understand why people are so callous. You’d think I would be accustomed to dealing with assholes as long as I’ve been in the music business. Thank you for supporting my choice.” She smiled, squeezing William’s hand. “I’m a little nervous since I’m a big baby myself when it comes to pain.”
“You’re going to do fine, Lynnie Bear.” William kissed Lynn’s forehead before wrapping both arms securely around her. 30
Sometime in the very early morning, Lynn woke with a sharp pain in her abdomen. She released an unsteady breath while grasping her stomach, and trying to breathe. With a glance towards the clock, she noticed it was barely after two. At least, she thought that was what the clock said. Everything seemed a bit fuzzy. Another intense pain and Alexis stirred next to her. “Lynn,” Alexis whispered.
“Just some more Braxton Hicks,” Lynn answered with a pant. Although the Braxton Hicks she’d been experiencing over the past couple weeks were not nearly this intense. “I need to pee but I’m not sure I can move.” She laughed a little when soft fingertips squeezed her arm. “Help,” she whimpered.
Alexis immediately tossed off the sheets and rushed to Lynn’s side. “Easy now,” Alexis whispered in a soft voice.
Lynn wrapped one arm around Alexis, barely able to hold her eyes open when they walked towards the bathroom. She’d gone to bed around nine P.M.; although, she’d barely dozed off during that length of time. While Alexis slept soundly, Lynn had wrestled with the light contractions that seemed to increase with each passing hour. Finally, she’d fallen asleep not long after midnight. She yawned when Alexis flipped on the bathroom light, blinding her with the sudden brightness. Before Lynn could yank down her panties, she felt a sudden gush of wetness trickle down her thighs. “What in the…?” Lynn gasped when she looked down and caught sight of the puddle in the floor. “Umm…Lex,” she squeaked. “I don’t think that’s pee.”
“Oh my God,” Alexis gasped when she too looked down at the floor. “That’s definitely not pee. Baby, I think your water just broke.” A slow smile curved onto Alexis’s lips when their eyes met.