Holding her hand, I start spouting nonsense to distract her. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you lost your mucus plug. I thought sisters were supposed to tell each other everything.”
She sniffles in between contractions. “How do you know about mucus plugs?”
“Google. I told you I was studying up on pregnancy. You’re my big sister. My only sister. You think I’m going to let you pass a beach ball through your hoo-ha and not research it?Hello. I’m true blue.”
Ethan mumbles something behind me that sounds like, “You are,” but I don’t have time to figure it out because my sister is pushing and bawling and sweating. So much sweating.
“Do you want to squat? I hear squatting is a thing. It’s all natural and helps get more oxygen to the baby. And, like, women drop trou in the Amazon, squat, and squirt out their babies, but you know, without the actual squirting. Hopefully.”Please, Jesus, no squirting.
“Stop making me laugh.” She smacks me, and I flinch because she nailed that bruise on my arm, but she probably doesn’t know it because my t-shirt has three-quarter sleeves. “Yes, I want to squat. Help me.”
It’s a tough squeeze because she’s carrying a Goliath-sized child, but I help her plant her feet on the floor and wedge her body between the seat and the dash.
Pausing, she pulls me close until we’re eye to eye. Damn, she’s strong for a pregnant lady. “Catch. The. Baby. Or. Else.”
“On my life, I’ll catch this baby.” Truer words were never spoken.
Reaching underneath her, I ignore the weird gush of fluid and hope I don’t catch a turd instead of a child.
Holy shit. I’m really doing this.
Another contraction makes Kat wobble, but Ethan reaches over my shoulder and steadies her. She eyes me warily. “Sorry this is so gross.”
“It is gross, but it’s okay. I love you. Just don’t forget to name the baby after me.”
“No more jokes.”
“I can’t help it.”
Her face goes red with another contraction. More screaming and crying.
And then… a wet, squelching plop.
I fumble, but only a smidge.
Because I promised my sister.
Checking between the baby’s legs, I smile through my tears—I have a niece!
And I caught her with a prayer and my bare hands like a freaking wide receiver.
I am officially a badass.
* * *
“And then Torisucked the fluid out of the baby’s mouth with a turkey baster!” my sister exclaims while she snuggles baby Annabelle Victoria Shepherd to her chest. “She was amazing!”
Everyone in the hospital room stares at me. Brady, his parents, my parents, Ethan.
I avert my teary eyes.
My mother crosses herself. “Gracias a Dios que estabas con tu hermana, Victoria.”
She thanks God I was with my sister.
“Yes,mija. We’re so glad you were there.” Dad gives me a weird side hug. “If anyone could do this, it’s you. You were always the brave one. Always so bold and strong.”
Wait. Whaaaat?
