Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Nina smiled sadly. “I’m not going to, Brock. I’m moving to England as soon as the baby’s born.”
“England?” My neck pulled back. “What’s in England?”
“I took a position there. It’s with the same company I’ve worked for the last five years, but it’s a promotion into a different division. I already have the movers and my flight booked. I’m leaving a week after I deliver, if I go full term. I need a fresh start.”
I suddenly felt like my sweatshirt was too tight. I pulled at the neck. Nina either didn’t notice how panicked I felt, or she was doing a damn good job of ignoring it, because she plucked some papers from her purse and got right down to business.
“I typed up my medical history and all the history I know about my parents and grandparents. Both my grandfather and dad had diabetes, and I had borderline gestational diabetes, so you should probably keep an eye on the baby’s blood sugar. But other than that, most of the diseases in my family are from lifestyle choices, like drinking and smoking.” She slid the papers over to me and held up a finger. “Oh, and while we’re talking about medical stuff, do you want the baby to be circumcised?”
I blinked a few times. “Shouldn’t he be?”
“The doctor said getting it done reduces the risk of urinary tract infections and also lowers the incidence rate of penile cancer when he gets older.”
“Penile cancer?”
“Also, do you want to be at the birth? I’m delivering at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.” She pointed to the papers in my hand as if my head wasn’t spinning. “That address and all of my doctor’s contact information is on the third page there. But I can call you when I go into labor, if you plan on trying to come.”
“Okay…”
“And names. You’ll need a name for the birth certificate when I’m in the hospital. I assume you’ll use Hawkins for the last name, but you’ll need a first and middle. That is, if you want a middle one. I don’t think that’s required. Do you have any names in mind yet?”
“Uh, not really.”
She smiled. “I always loved your grandfather’s name, Patrick Hawkins. It has such a warm ring to it.”
I stared at her like she had two heads. Still, she went on…
“The last page has a list of items you’ll need, things like a car seat, a swing, a baby monitor. I realize this is a lot to take in, but we don’t have too much time, so I thought I’d try to help in whatever way I can. I also put a few websites on one of those pages—a nanny service in the area that has very good reviews and an agency that can find you a wet nurse if you choose to go that route.”
I felt my entire face wrinkle. “What the hell is a wet nurse?”
“It’s a woman who’ll breastfeed a baby when the mother isn’t available.”
“That’s…a thing? Why not just feed it formula?”
Nina smiled sadly. “Breastmilk is rich in antibodies that can help protect a baby from infection.” She reached into her purse and pulled out What to Expect When You’re Expecting. There were dozens of colorful tabs sticking out from the side. “I also marked some pages I thought you might want to read. The section about wet nurses is one of them.”
I started to feel dizzy, but powered through as best I could. Mostly I seemed to repeat things Nina said, and I was mentally kicking myself in the ass for not bringing a notebook and pen to write shit down. At least I didn’t have to do much talking. Nina yapped all through lunch and then through the tiramisu she ordered, too. By the time the waiter came over with the check, I felt desperate to go outside and get some fresh air. I started to get up, but Nina put both hands on her stomach.
“He’s awake.”
“Awake?”
She nodded. “Apparently the baby’s size isn’t the only thing he got from his father. He’s a very active little boy. I’m surprised he stopped rolling around and kicking while I ate lunch.” Nina looked down and rubbed her belly before looking up. “Would you like to feel him?”
The thought scared the shit out of me, yet I found myself nodding. Nina took my hand and positioned it on the lower left side of her swollen belly. A few seconds later, I felt a flutter, followed by a very distinct tap. Then another and another. It almost felt like the little guy was knocking from the inside, asking if he could come out. It was the most surreal moment of my life.
“That’s him?”
Nina smiled and nodded.
My eyes filled with tears. I was terrified and confused and a million other emotions, but in that moment, something ignited within me. That’s my baby boy.