Natalie had been timing the contractions for nearly an hour, and each one was stronger than the last. The hospital bag sat by the front door exactly where she had packed it days earlier, but there was one thing she still needed before leaving. Brandon. He had promised that when the moment came, he would be there. That promise echoed in her mind as she picked up her phone with trembling fingers and dialed his number.
The call rang several times before finally connecting, and when his voice came through the line, it sounded distant and distracted, as if he were somewhere far away from the chaos that had taken over her world.
“What’s wrong?” Brandon asked casually.
Natalie pressed her hand against her stomach as another contraction tightened her muscles.
“Brandon… I think it’s time,” she whispered, forcing the words through clenched teeth. “The contractions are really close together now. I need you to come home. Please.”
For a moment there was silence on the other end of the phone. Natalie waited, expecting concern or urgency. Instead she heard a slow sigh.
“You’re sure about that?” he asked.
