Page 14 of Grump on Base

Another aftershock that I quickly realized was so not one of the blissful kind you sometimes get after sex, shot through my belly along with a new ache in my lower back.

“Babe, you just turned stark white? Is it the baby?” Fear, concern and love all twined together in Rafe’s voice as his complexion went pale too.

“Yeah, about that. I might be having contractions. Now stay right here; we're not racing off to the hospital yet. We’ve got time, and I need to call Devon’s mom. Mazie’s going to keep Simon with them until Becca can catch a flight to be here. Now, help me get the bedding into the washer. Please?”

My husband recovered from his momentary shock. Who could blame him? We thought we had at least another two weeks. “You want to do laundry. Now?” Hands on hips encased in well-worn jeans, a muscle hugging dark blue henley with the ranch’s logo on the chest and work boots, he looked like the new version of himself he’d created since moving to Cedar Ridge, but he sounded suspiciously like the former Major Lucas, Commander of base security.

“Yes. But I’m willing to compromise. If you want to take on the washing, drying and making of the crib before we bring Baby Lucas home, I’ll not worry about it now and go finish packing my overnight bag.” I waited a beat to see if he’d bite. Teasing Rafe just kept getting more fun the longer we were together.

“We can’t keep calling her “baby Lucas” and wait, you haven’t finished packing yet?” Turning on his heel, my contractions forgotten for the moment, which was my plan all along, he stomped down the hallway from my studio to our bedroom. The sound of drawers opening and closing and some new curse words I wasn’t familiar with reached me as I waddled after him. Stupid hip flexors had been plaguing me for the last few weeks.

“You sure you know what I need in the hospital,dear?”

“Jaci, please. Now is not the time for your sassiness. I can’t properly respond now, can I?”

“Oh, but seeing you holding a thong in one hand and my favorite shortie nighty in the other is very entertaining. Besides, think of last night’s activities as a pre-response. It’s going to have to hold both of us over for at least the next six weeks.” Another contraction hit, this one sharper. I cradled my belly with one hand and reached out to Rafe with the other.

He was at my side immediately. He let me squeeze his fingers while he counted out my breath for me. “Still want to wait before leaving for the hospital,dear?” His tone gentle andsarcastic, I blew out my breath as the contraction disappeared, then chuckled.

“Only if you let me pack my things and you call Mazie, please?”

“Deal.” He released me and grabbed his cell. “And oh, by the way, Mrs. Lucas. You, my stunner of a wife, will rock this birth, okay?”

“Oh, Rafe. Now is not the time to make me cry. How did I get so lucky with you? I love you so much.”

“I’m the lucky one. Love you more.” Rafe took my hand in his again. “Hold on tight, I've got you. Now breathe it out, and then we’ll leave for the hospital. I can’t wait to meet our little girl.”