"Are you sure you fell well enough to make it through this Thanksgiving dinner? We can just skip it this year?"
Whitley stared at Cooper. "Are you serious? There is no way I am missing out on food. Have you seen all of that? Janie and I both are in heaven!"
"But babe. I don't want you going into labor today. You are already having contractions."
"So," Whitley shook her head. "I can be at 1 centimeter forever. Mom says it can last weeks. I hope not. I want this baby to come on her due date. Which is two weeks away. Now. Out of my way. This mama wants to eat."
"You are something else Whitley Hope."
"Thanks. I am glad to hear it."
.....................
"I am so glad I could have all of my children join us for Thanksgiving dinner tonight. We have much to be thankful for, and I know everyone wants to tell." The entire family groaned. Walter laughed and continued. "However, we will not do that this year. We will just say a prayer over the food and continue."
Everyone bowed their heads as Walter lead them in prayer. "Father, please bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies. Thanks for allowing all of my children to be here today. I want to thank you on this day for all you have given us. Lord, I pray you keep my family safe, and I pray we are finally free from all of our struggles. Watch over my Whitley as she prepares to deliver our first grandchild. Although we may not have noticed it earlier, baby Janie is a gift that we are beyond thankful for. I know she will be just what we need. Thanks for all that you do for us. Amen."
"Amen." Everyone murmured.
"Finally," Whitley sighed. "All this food was definitely calling my name. This little girl inside me was tired of waiting."
Cooper laughed and shook his head. "Always thinking about food. Can't even make it five minutes without eating."
Whitley glared at him and pointed her fork. "You try being 9 months pregnant and see how you feel. I have never eaten this much in my entire life. This little girl has definitely changed a lot." She stopped and gripped her stomach. Her face contorted in pain.
Cooper jumped and nearly fell to the floor. "Babe. Are you okay?"
She shook her head. "No. No, it hurts. It doesn't feel like the contractions I have been having. These are much more stronger."
Wanda ran over to her side and grabbed her hand. "We need to get to a hospital. Now. We don't want to endanger the baby in any way." She placed a hand on Whitley's head and gasped. "You are burning up. You can't get sick. We need to leave."
"But, my food." Whitley cried. "I am not ready to have her. We are supposed to be eating as a family. Not going to a hospital."
"Whitley," Cooper stopped her. "Stop worrying. I am here for you. Okay? Now, listen to your mother. We are going to the hospital."
Whitley nodded. "Okay. Hospital. Please be okay baby girl. Please be okay."
..................
"The baby looks fine. She is still developing like she is supposed to, and she is not ready to come out. You were feeling contractions that were tighter and closer together. That means you are getting close to time. As for the fever, you will have to be closely monitored. If that fever gets out of control, the baby could be harmed."
"So, I am fine. The baby is not coming today?" Whitley asked with a sigh.
The doctor laughed. "No baby today. She is still waiting on her time, mama. But, I am keeping you in here from now until then."
"Why? Is there something wrong?"
"No. Nothing is wrong. You have just stressed yourself too much these past few weeks. I am scared of what could happen when you are not here. We want to keep you on these monitors, so we can keep an eye on you. Hopefully, all of the stress passes, and we can have a safe delivery."
Whitley nodded. "I guess I can survive. I am already done for the semester at school since I was put on bed rest. As long as it helps Janie, I am perfectly fine with it."
"You have no choice anyway, Whitley. It is my job as your doctor to protect you both. Now, I will leave you and Cooper alone for a while. In about two weeks, you won't be getting that. Goodbye, you two."
"Goodbye, doctor," she replied turning towards Cooper. "You know I still want food. I didn't get to finish eating."
Cooper laughed and went to the chair behind him. "Your dad was already a step ahead. He fixed your plate and brought it by. He thought you might want it."
Whitley smiled and shook her head. "I sure do have one awesome daddy. Now, what are we going to do for these next two weeks?"