Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets 2)

“I’ll find the time to grab him a little something.” She shrugs.

We eat with non-stop laughter. I haven’t seen Savannah smile this much in months and it warms my heart to see that she’s finally finding herself. We pick the kids up from school, and take them for ice cream before Savannah drops me and Heidi Jo off at home.

“Momma, your belly sure is big now. You sure that little baby’s gonna come out?” She asks as we cook supper.

“Yep, sweets. She’ll come out when she’s ready.” Thanks for reminding me how fat I am.

“Well, I wish she’d hurry. It feels like its takin’ forever. I wanna be a big sister already.”

“Are you excited about Daddy’s birthday cookout tomorrow night?”

“Yep. I even made him a birthday card.”

“And you’re sure you’ve kept it a secret?”

“Yep.” She says as she mimics zipping her lips and locking them up tight with her imaginary key.

Colton gets in from work just as I’m finishing up supper. He stalks off to the shower first as usual, but I can tell that he’s pissed over something. Turning the burners to simmer, I set the table and wait for him. Twenty minutes later, he struts through the house with loose fitting basketball shorts hanging from his hips and a cut off t-shirt. He kisses Heidi Jo on top of the head and sits down at the table for dinner.

“What’d Dr. Staton say today?” He asks piling food on his plate.

“Everything’s fine. Just playing the waiting game.” I shrug.

“Have fun with Savannah today?”

“Is that what you’re mad over? I didn’t spend the day barefoot and pregnant, pickin’ weeds out of the flower beds; I actually got out of the house and interacted with people?” I immediately bite down on my lip, because I know I’ve said the wrong thing. Colton hasn’t been holding me hostage or anything, he’s just been so worried about me and the baby since the accident that he’s been highly over protective. I know that, I truly do, but staying home every day is enough to drive a person crazy. He shoots daggers across the table at me, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. But you know how stressful it’s been being home so much. I’m used to working. I can’t help that. I can only clean so much.”

“Darlin’, I wasn’t upset that you were out today. Sure, I worry ‘bout ya, but Dr. Staton knows what’s best for ya. I just had a rough day at work.” He says shakin’ his head.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothin’ for you to worry wit

h. It’s all under control.” And just like that he drops the topic like it never mattered anyway.

After supper, Colton vanishes for a while and I’m sure he’s just over at his parents’ house. Heidi Jo works on her homework while I clean the kitchen. My stomach tightens and I pull in a deep breath trying to ride the wave of the Braxton Hicks contraction. They have been getting slightly worse, but Kaylee said that was to be expected, that it’s just my body’s way of preparing for labor. When the pain ceases I finish up the kitchen and help Heidi Jo get ready for bed. When Colton comes home an hour later, I’m in the baby’s room packing an overnight bag and diaper bag.

“Darlin’, ya alright?” He asks leaning against the door jamb.

I glance over my shoulder, sitting criss cross apple sauce in the floor and smile. “Just peachy, baby. I’m thirty nine weeks, figure it’s time to face reality. This baby’s gotta make its way out sooner rather than later.”

“Well, when you’re done, come out and sit on the porch swing with me, it’s a beautiful night.”

“ ‘Kay, baby. I’ll be right out.” I take one last look through the bags, double checking my memory for everything that I’ll need at the hospital. If I leave something behind, it’s no worries because Colton can always come get it, but I like to be prepared. Pushing up from the floor, another Braxton Hicks crawls through my muscles and my knees shake as the pain surges through me. Damn, two in less than an hour.

After the pain eases, I check in on Heidi Jo before making my way out to the porch swing. Colton stops the swing for me to sit down, then lightly presses his feet against the porch, swaying the swing in a lazy movement. He gives me a half smirk, tucking me under his arm. He’s distant tonight and I see a storm brewing in his eyes. He’s stewing over something, but I know it’s pointless to ask what’s bothering him because he doesn’t talk about things. He bottles it all up, then when he’s wound too tight, his cap blows and his anger errupts like Mentos in Coke.

The late summer days turn cool as the sun fades into night. Lightnin’ bugs glow against the dark sky and the only white noise around us is the crickets chirping. It’s peaceful. I hug myself a little tighter as goose bumps blanket my skin from the cool breeze. Colton notices and pulls me up in his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around me. “Cold, darlin’?” He asks kissing my forehead. I smile against his chest and my eyes drift closed as I breathe him in.

Nights like this are perfect. Life gets busy and hectic and we often forget to take a minute to just breathe and enjoy the moment. Our lives are quickly changing as we’re about to welcome the newest addition to our family. I’d like to say that I’m prepared to become a momma, but I don’t think it’s something you can prepare for. You just have to jump in with both feet and take each day as a blessing that God gives you. I’m not doubtful, however, because I have faith in our family and I know that we’ll do everything hand in hand and smile through the darkness and the light.

Tossing the blanket back I sit up on the side of the bed slowly, huffing in frustration. I’ve tossed and turned all night long unable to get comfortable because my lower back is so heavy with throbbing pain. Colton has to get up for work in a few hours, and I don’t want to wake him up, so I decide to go into the living room to read until I fall asleep. Reading makes me really sleepy. I grab my Kindle from the dresser and pad into the living room pulling the door closed slowly, hoping it doesn’t creak and wake him up. Walking towards the couch, pain clutches my stomach and I dig my nails into the arm of Colton’s recliner as I moan out in miserable pain. I pull in a slow ragged breath and twist my body around to sit down. I lay the recliner back and inhale deep trying to steady my breathing. The pain in my back intensifies as my stomach tightens again, but this time the pain is so intense that my vision blurs.

“COLTON!” I shriek. My chest heaves roughly and pressure builds low in my stomach. This is very different than Braxton Hicks. This is frickin’ labor. “COLTON!” I shriek again. The bedroom door swings open and his eyes pinch together as they adjust to the light.

“Damn it, darlin’, what’s wrong?”

“I-I think I’m in la-la-aabor!” I cry out gripping the chair so tightly that my nails rip the cushion.