I Was So Bitter, Till You Came Along

The weeks slowly crept passed. The guys were scheduled for a tour, but since I was so close to my due date, it was cancelled altogether. Some fans understood, others didn't, but it wasn't my decision either. I thought it would have been great for them to play at least a couple shows over the span of a couple weeks, so that's what I told their manager he agreed. Andy was a little iffy about the idea at first, considering I was well into my eighth month and ready to pop. But I still had five weeks until the due date.

Tonight was one of the shows they'd scheduled. I tried to roll out of bed but couldn't reach the ground. Andy laughed at me as he exited the bathroom, and he helped me off the bed.

"Are you all good?" he asked.

"Yeah, just a little uncomfortable. I'll be fine," I said as I walked to the bathroom.

"Could you help me shower?" I asked. Andy laughed and happily obliged.

After I'd gotten dressed into a loose maternity dress, I carefully made my way to the kitchen for something to eat. My phone was buzzing on the kitchen counter and right as I went to answer Ashley's call, it ended.

"Fucking Christ," I muttered as I called him back. I took a deep breath and leaned against the counter.

"Hey sis," Ashley chirped.

"Hey. Sorry I missed your call. I can only walk so fast," I said. Ashley laughed.

"It's no big deal. Are you gonna come to the show tonight?" he asked.

"Only if there's somewhere for me to sit," I replied. We both laughed and talked for a bit longer until Ashley had to go run some errands. I set my phone down on the counter and waddled into the dining room where Andy was sitting on his laptop.

"Hey. This kid better be cute. I can barely walk without losing my breath," I said. Andy looked up at me and laughed.

"Don't worry. I'm so excited for this show tonight. Are you gonna come?" Andy asked.

"I told Ashley I would only if there's somewhere for me to sit," I said. Andy nodded and stood, pulling the chair next to him out for me. He gripped my hand and helped me sit, and then he sat back down.

"You're so good to me. I love you," I told him. Andy grinned.

"You deserve it. I love you too," Andy replied.

~~

As Andy was helping me into the car, I realized this would be the first time his fans would be able to interact with me since I'd gotten pregnant.

"Are you still feeling good?" Andy asked after I'd winced slightly.

"Yeah I'm good. Still feeling a little discomfort but that's it. My doctor said it's normal when you get closer to the due date. Don't worry, babe. We still have 5 weeks," I said.


"Okay. If you're sure that's all it is," he said. I nodded. He smiled and shut the door, rounding the car to get in.

We pulled up to the venue and Andy helped me out of the car and walked with me inside. He helped me find the bathroom and waited for me, and then we met up with the guys.

"Hey guys," Ashley said. He walked right over and enveloped me into a hug. The other guys hugged me as I approached them, and CC helped me down onto the couch. I got comfortable and Andy plopped down next to me.

"Wow Casey. You look like you're about to burst," Jake said.

"I am. 5 weeks till the date," I said. Jake let out a low whistle.

"Are you sure you should've come?" Jinxx asked. I shrugged.

"I'd rather be surrounded by people than home alone just in case," I replied. Jinxx nodded in understanding, and I took a deep breath. Andy was on edge with every move I made.

"Baby. I'm fine," I told him.

"You're just concerning me. I don't know if the show is a good idea," Andy said.

"You were excited this morning," I said. A tiny shot of pain came and went, and I tensed up.

"Alright, it's show time," Jon announced as he popped his head in the room. Andy helped me up and we all followed him backstage. I was provided with a chair to sit on, and the guys went out on stage one by one. Andy kissed me as he went, and I watched. About halfway through their set, another tiny surge of pain shot through me. I signaled for Jon and he walked over. He knelt down next to me and I dug my nails into his shoulder.

"I think I'm in labor," I told him breathlessly. He nodded furiously and waved at the crew to stop the show. Andy came running off the stage five minutes later.

"What's going on?" he asked as he walked over to me.

"I just had a second contraction," I said.

"A second!? When was the first one!?" he asked.

"Before the show. Look, they're about 45 minutes apart right now, but I would like to go to the hospital. Now," I said sternly. Andy nodded vigorously and he helped me up off the chair. I waddled with him through the venue and out the back door. Everyone was exiting the venue at the same time we were, and Andy had to announce that everyone had to move. Some people parted but not enough, but we pushed through the crowd of people anyway.

"I feel tense," I announced.

"Just breathe. Relax. It'll be okay," Andy said.

"I'm so scared," I said as we approached the car. Andy helped me in and placed a kiss on my forehead. He then got in and we hurried off to the hospital. By the time we arrived, another contraction hit me harder and I gasped out in pain. It lasted longer too, and Andy allowed me to dig my nails into his arm as he found somewhere to park. When the contraction ended, Andy quickly helped me walk inside, and we met Ashley in the waiting room. Andy admitted me and a nurse grabbed a wheelchair and sat me down in it.

"How far along are your contractions?" she asked as she wheeled me down the hall to the maternity ward. Andy was following along quickly.

"40 minutes," I told her, "I just had one in the parking lot." She wheeled me into a vacant room, and instructed Andy on what to do while she was gone. As soon as she left, Andy pulled me up out of the wheelchair and sat me on the bed. He helped me out of my dress and my underwear, and helped me put the gown on. I then settled myself on the bed and relaxed against it while Andy folded up the wheelchair and leant it against the wall. There was a knock on the door and Andy opened it, allowing Ashley in. I smiled at him as he approached. He kissed my forehead and pulled my hair back into a bun for me.

"Thank you," I said. The doctor then entered the room and smiled at me.

"Alright Casey. I'm Doctor Ingle. I'll be helping you push. But for now, I need to measure you," he said. I nodded and Ashley moved to sit against the wall. Andy pulled up a chair and held my hand. Dr. Ingle pulled up his chair and pulled on a pair of gloves. He moved the gown out of the way, and I tensed up slightly when he measured me.

"Just relax. Take a few deep breaths. Now dad," he referred to Andy, "your job this evening is to keep mom as relaxed as possible. Stroke her hair, talk to her. Make her feel comfy. Got it?" Dr. Ingle asked as he continued to measure me.

"Yeah," Andy replied.

"Alright. You are only 3 1/2 centimeters dilated. At this rate, it could be a few hours until the baby comes. Unless you want to get it all over with and go through with a cesarean section?" he asked.

"No. Never," I shook my head, and he laughed with a nod.

"That's okay. Not everyone is comfortable with that option." I let out a deep breath and Dr. Ingle removed his gloves and stood up.

"I'll be back every hour to measure and check up on you. In the meantime, try to relax. Stress isn't good for the baby," he said, and he left.

This would take a while.

Notes

whats up. um sorry that this took so long. I was kinda stuck for a while and then I was like this will allow me to write something so I went with it and here we are. hope yall enjoy!!