Almost that time of year

 "I feel like I've been pregnant all year," Ivy found herself saying thinking she should be off somewhere enjoying Christmas with someone, but she was on the couch feeling fat, wondering what Jay was doing. Was he even thinking of her, right now? Did he miss her?

She guessed Dan was half-listening because he was in the kitchen cleaning something, evidently. She didn't mean to be in a pout, but she thought he had very selective hearing. He only heard what he wanted to hear. Still he was here and Jay wasn't.

She picked up her phone and called Jay. To her surprise, it rang through, but he didn't pick up. Naturally.

She didn't know if she wanted to throw her phone or just yell into the phone. She decided to yell in the phone at him a few F bombs and anything else bad she could say. The moment she did, it was like her lower back shifted and she was overcome with intense back pain.

She tossed the phone on the couch.

"WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS A MONTH AGO!" She knew the baby was due then, but the doctors kept telling her she had another month. Now it was snowing.

The moment she stood up her water broke and the couch was drenched. Ivy winced hard thinking Dan was going to be furious.

"What are you doing?" Dan finally showed up.

"I think the baby's coming," Somehow she always felt she'd get herself to the hospital on her own. Freakishly, she remembered last time pulling Brian's hair every time he was near during the labor pains. She couldn't put Dan through that. She breathed what she could remember to do, and looked at Dan. "Can you call Minnie?"

He nodded and made the call. He assured Minnie they were on their way to the hospital.

"Tell her to get Jay to the hospital," she said as she went to get her overnight bag that she thought was by her bed. 

Of course, she couldn't find her mask. He slipped one out of plastic and put it from one ear to another on her face. Never did she think she'd be having a baby during a pandemic. Maybe she should just stay home instead.