Page 8 of Open Net

“I nodded. How about Kathy?” I knew she had some sort of joke with the Pride about that name. Maybe now I’d figure it out.

She shot me a look. “You know Kathy’s aren’t born. They just exist as middle-aged women.”

“What?”

“When was the last time you met a baby named Kathy?”

I shrugged. “Can’t think of one.”

“Right. Now think of all the Kathy’s you’ve met.”

I narrowed my eyes. “They’re all middle-aged women.”

She held up a finger. “Exactly.”

I shook my head. I’m sure there was more to her logic, but right now that was all she explained.

“Okay then. We could name her after one of the members of the Pride.”

She froze. I thought she was having a contraction, but no, she was staring at me. “What? Do you want to cause World War three?”

I laughed. “No, I definitely don’t.”

“Then don’t even mention such a thing. They would tear each other apart.”

“What about the guys?”

“I’m not naming our baby girl Brassard or Hartman.”

“Schultz.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Guess we’ll have to stick with our original.”

She nodded, and we made it to the opposite end of the hall before turning and repeating the process once again. She had three more contractions before we got back to the room.

“Do you want to rest?” I asked.

She nodded and I led her to the bed. Once she was situated and as comfortable as possible, considering, Kelly walked back in.

“Alright,” she said, “let’s see where we’re at.”

Emma groaned and scooted down on the bed until she was lying down. Impeccable timing, nurse.

She did her thing then stepped back. “No more progress.” She moved to the monitors and made a few notes. “We can try sitting on a medicine ball.”

I glanced down to see Emma’s reaction. Her face glowed with sheen of sweat, she was exhausted, and the nurse wanted her to keep moving?

“When can she get an epidural?” I asked.

“Technically, she can get it now. I’m worried though that since she isn’t progressing on her own right now the epidural could slow the process even more, and she wouldn’t know when it was time to push.”

Emma dropped her head against the pillow. “I just want the baby out.”

“Then let’s try the ball for a few.” Kelly disappeared before we could respond and reappeared with a large silver ball. She placed it on the floor next to the bed and stood, smiling.

“Come on.” I offered Emma my hands and pulled her up and out of the bed. She moved until the ball was behind her and used my hands to balance as she squatted down.