Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (132 page)

“What are you doing?” Joe asks with concern.

“Relax,” I say. “It’s not heavy.” I toss the large box I’m holding at him.

Joe jumps to catch it and lets out a sigh when he realizes the true weight of the box once it’s in his arms. “What’s even in here?” he checks.

“Halloween decorations,” I share.

“Why are you putting out Halloween decorations?” he questions.

“Because it’s in three weeks,” I giggle.

“Emma, the staff can do this,” Joe states.

“Yes, I know,” I reply. “Don’t you see them helping me?”

“That’s not funny,” Joe returns with a serious expression.

“Yes, it is,” I chuckle. “You should’ve seen your face.”

“Let her be, Mr. Joseph,” Anna instructs, coming around the corner from the stairs.

“What?!” Joe replies with a hint of shock.

“She’s nesting,” Anna informs. “Let her be. It’s good for her and the baby. Keeps her calm.”

“What’s nesting?” Joe inspects.

“I’m not nesting,” I protest.

“And, here I thought you’ve read all the baby books,” Anna challenges, looking back and forth between Joe and me.

“I’m not,” I repeat defensively.

Anna smiles at us. “Nesting is used to describe when the expecting mother finishes getting the house ready for the baby.”

“And, what does that have to do with Emma decorating for Halloween?” Joe presses, raising a brow.

“I’m not nesting,” I deny.

“It’s part of getting the house in order,” Anna continues. “She’s already rearranged Joe Jr.’s room about twice the past few days.”

“No, I haven’t,” I counter when I see Joe eyeing me speculatively.

Anna doesn’t reply, but clears her throat in objection.

“Okay, maybe a little,” I admit. “Are you helping or just going to judge?”

Joe laughs. “I have a business call first, but then I’ll help if you’d like.”

“What business stuff? It’s a Saturday,” I check.

“Just business,” Joe repeats, kissing the top of my head.

“What are you planning, Joseph?” I press.

I hear the staff hold back chuckles — some of them haven’t gotten used to Joe’s and my banter yet.

“I’ll be right back, beautiful,” Joe comments, ignoring the question.

“Fine,” I huff and turn to open the next box.

Five minutes later, Elaine has entered the living room and is assisting with the decorating. She and Mr. Covelli flew to California the day they found out Joe and I got engaged — excited to celebrate and coming earlier than they had originally planned for when their next grandson is born.

The next few days, I find myself nesting more. Counting, folding, rearranging and even buying more items that I think we need before Joe Jr. arrives while also getting some more stuff for the dogs. Joe and Anna humor me and my whims, for which I’m grateful. They do give me a few looks occasionally, but refrain from commenting. Mrs. Covelli supports my antics and shoos anyone away who dares to question me. I’m even caught tidying up the yard and cleaning the kitchen.

Elaine and I have Jared, Henry and the rest of the guys, even Joe’s father, get Joe out of the house to give me some peace every other day. It’s not that I don’t want him around. It’s just that he’s hovering too much. I’m getting a little anxious about the birth and I’d rather be calm and relaxed.

Today, Maggie, and all the women from her family, Mrs. Nelson, Elaine and I are having a relaxing lunch out on my back patio while the men have been sent away. I told them I didn’t really care what they do, as long as they get away from the house for a few hours. The ladies and I have been, more the ladies of age than me, sipping cocktails since we started lunch and are now heading over to the pool to relax and enjoy the early afternoon sun — one of the perks of being in California and having a heated pool.

As I make my way from upstairs, just after changing into my swimsuit and putting on a comfortable cover up dress, a strange sensation occurs in my belly right after I feel Joe Jr. kick. “What are you doing up?” I say out loud. “You shouldn’t be awake for another hour, mister.” The sensation happens again, and I find myself holding onto the back of the couch for support. “Damn it,” I huff when I feel liquid dripping down my legs.” I shift, trying to plot out how to clean up the mess without being noticed.

“Hey, Emma,” Jade greets, bouncing inside.

“Hi, monkey,” I return. “I thought you were going swimming.”

“I am,” she replies. “Mommy wanted me to get something out of Rey’s bag.” She studies me for a moment as I take a controlled breath in. “You okay?”

“Yes, sweetie,” I confirm. “Thank you. Would you mind doing me a favor?”

“Sure,” she replies happily.

“Can you get me a roll of paper towels from the kitchen? I spilled something and don’t want to slip,” I mention.

“Sure,” she agrees, hopping away.

Jade brings back the roll for me quickly and then rushes back outside. I carefully lower myself to wipe up the mess on the marble floor.

“Are you okay, Ms. Emma?” Bridget, one of our maids inquires.

“Yes, thank you,” I reply, downplaying what’s happened.

“Let me get that for you, Ms. Emma,” she insists.

“It’s okay. I got it,” I answer.

“Should I call Mr. Joseph?” she inspects, helping me to stand.

“No,” I deny.

Bridget gives me the once over and I know she sees the large wet spot on my dress. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I affirm.

“Can I throw those out for you?” Bridget offers, reaching forward.

“No,” I object calmly. “I’ll get them. Just let my family know that I’ll be right out.”

Bridget doesn’t move and we stand, looking at each other for a few seconds. I move toward the kitchen and toss out the wet paper towels and then proceed back up to my bedroom to change again. Bridget watches me as I pass by her and ascend the stairs.

“Emma?” Gwen calls from the bedroom.

“In here,” I inform while finishing putting on a comfortable maxi dress.

“Are you okay?” Gwen inquires.

“Perfect,” I confirm with a smile.

“Bridget told me . . . .”

“Everything is fine,” I interrupt.

Gwen doesn’t say a word, but steps forward and checks my pulse on my wrist.

My eyes roll in protest, but I refrain from commenting.

Gwen stays quiet for a few more moments and then looks me up and down. “How do you feel?”

“Great,” I say honestly.

She studies me. “Brenda and I will want to check you in an hour, okay?”

“Sure,” I agree.

I make my way to the backyard with Sadie on my one side and Gwen following behind us — Jasper’s been outside with the kids playing. Needing to get off my feet, I yank up the bottom of my dress and step into our natural pool in the shallow end, lowering my rear to the edge so I can keep cool while hanging out with the ladies. Jade, Jet and Rey are playing in the shallow end as Kim and Amy are in the middle of the pool along with Maggie. Elaine, Mrs. Nelson, Mŭqīn and Nǎinai are on the lounge chairs closest to us. Mŭqīn and Nǎinai each have Henry Jr. and Gabby in their arms while Maggie and I play a game of catch with Jade as the women chat freely.

“What’s with Sadie?” Maggie asks, noticing that Sadies won’t step more than a foot or two away from me.

“Nothing,” I reply. “She’s just been more clingy since I’ve been pregnant.”

We continue chatting and enjoying the sun on our skin. At some point, we head back inside and grab some drinks before returning to the patio. I excuse myself for a moment, pretending I need to use the restroom, which I do, but is also a good cover to allow Brenda and Gwen to check my status. Seeing that my vitals are fine and my heart rate is steady, they make no mention of needing to do anything at the moment and follow my lead.

The men return within the next hour and I refrain from mentioning that I’ve started to go into labor —no need to have Joe freak out and mess up my zen-like calmness.

As dinner comes to an end, I assist the maids with cleanup, feeling like I need to keep busy and moving. Anna, Bridget and the other maids don’t say anything and just let me help.

“Emma,” Joe calls sweetly.

“Yeah?” I return as I carry some more plates into the kitchen.

“Come back and relax with everyone,” Joe insists.

“I am relaxed,” I reply. “This is relaxing me.”

“Among other things,” Anna comments under her breath.

“What?” Joe asks.

I glare at Anna until an odd sensation forces me to suck in some air.

“Emma, are you okay?” Joe says with worry.

“Fine,” I state on a controlled breath out.

“Yeah,” Anna assures. “She’s just in labor.”

“Anna,” I snap.

“What?!” Joe exclaims.

“I’m fine,” I comment. “It’s nothing.”

“Emma,” Joe says with the authoritative voice that always gives me chills. “Since when?”

“Since when, what?” I say, avoiding the topic.

“Since the afternoon, around two,” Anna shares.

“How do you know and no one else does?” Joe presses.

“Brenda and Gwen know too,” Anna reveals. “They knew better not to say anything . . . knowing that Emma might kick them out.”

“Emma,” Joe pleads.

“I’m fine. We’ve got plenty of time. I need you to stay calm,” I declare.

“How do you know we have plenty of time?” he questions.

“Gwen and Brenda have been monitoring her,” Anna answers for me as another sensation takes over my body. “Looks like he might be coming sooner than you think, Ms. Emma.”

“Why would you say that?” I ask after another breath.

“Because,” Anna begins. “The contractions are close.”

“What’s going on in here?” Maggie inquires, coming into the kitchen with Gabby in her arms. “Everyone’s ready for dessert.”

“Emma has somehow forgotten to mention that she started labor sometime in the afternoon,” Joe shares.

“Really?” Maggie says excitedly.

I smile and nod.

“Hey, everyone,” Maggie calls as she turns to leave.

Five seconds later, everyone has followed her back into the kitchen. They swarm around Joe and me while we try to come to grips with what’s happening, asking questions and making statements that I can’t quite make out since they’re talking over each other.

“Quiet!” Joe shouts. He turns back to me. “Beautiful, what do we need to do.”

“Honestly?” I check, wanting to know he’s not going to freak out.

“Honestly,” he confirms.

“Nothing,” I answer.

“Excuse me?” he checks.

“Nothing,” I repeat. “There’s nothing anyone needs to do other than let this happen.”

“
Kitten
?” Jared calls anxiously.

“Noth-ing,” I repeat more slowly. “If any of you are going to be anxious and make this stressful, there’s the door.” My arm extends toward the front of the house. “I’m not interested in making this a big deal and . . . .”

“But, it is a big deal,” Nathan counters.

“Please,” I say with a clenched jaw. “I want things to be calm, normal and peaceful. Let me do what I need to do and when I need something, I’ll let you know. Okay?” I look around the room, waiting for each person’s reply as I make eye contact with them, which they do with a nod. “Good,” I say looking back at Joe. “Let’s have dessert.”

Everyone but Joe heads back to the dining room.

“Emma,” Joe says.

“Joseph,” I return.

“She’s serious, Mr. Joseph,” Anna informs, doing her best to avoid chuckling. “I’d do as she says.”

“Thank you, Anna,” I say.

Joe steps closer to me, placing his left hand on my belly and the other on my cheek and sighs.

“I’m okay,” I soothe, placing my hands on top of his. “Really. Just let it naturally happen. Okay?”

Joe places his forehead against mine. “Okay.” His lips kiss me and I can feel the mixed emotions going through him with his touch.

“It’s better to let it happen naturally, remember?” I say.

“Yeah,” he agrees. “I remember.”

“I’m excited and anxious too, but we need to stay calm. Okay?” I return.

“Okay,” he agrees.

An hour after dessert, Joe and I are with Brenda, Gwen and Anna, getting the bathroom set up for delivery. My cervix didn’t really start dilating until just before dinner. With me fully dilated, we each start setting the mood for the bathroom. I rearrange some of the candles that are lit after we change. Wanting to have freedom to move around if needed, I wear only a cotton tank top that fits to my body just below my bottom.

Kim joins us in the room, which I allowed before hand, and Jade is peeking from around the corner.

“Can I come in?” Jade inquires.

With a smile, I say, “I don’t mind if your mommy doesn’t.”

Jade looks to Kim.

“If Emma says you can, then yes. I know you wanted to see the twins being born and couldn’t,” Kim states.

“Come on in, sweetie,” I call.

Jade takes a seat next to her mom who is sitting to my left on the other side of the tub. Joe is sitting behind me, rubbing my lower back as Brenda takes a seat at the foot of the tub, Gwen is to my right and Anna finishes getting the essential oils in the diffuser.

As time passes, I shift around the large, caesar-stone tub, moving into different positions to find which one feels most comfortable. Everyone stays quiet, except Jade, which I willingly accept. She’s just randomly talking about different things. It actually helps take my mind off of what I’m in the bath to do.

When it comes time for me to push, I move myself back in front of Joe with my back to his chest and put my feet on the seat in the tub so I’m in a squatting position. Joe offers his hands when I reach for them, needing his support.

“You can do this, beautiful,” Joe whispers into my ear.

I smile and nod at his reassurance.

“I love you,” he adds. “And, Joe Jr. is ready to finally meet us.”

After about twenty minutes of controlled breathing, Brenda shares that Joe Jr.’s head is beginning to crown. She instructs Joe to reach around to feel the baby’s head.

“Oh my God,” Joe exclaims when his hand touches Joe Jr. and me.