For Us, It Will Be

July Nineteenth

"I really think we should get you to the hospital," Ryan said to Oakley.

Oakley was breathing hard through her nose. Her hands were pressed strategically against the bottom and side of her pregnant belly. She was counting to three between each inhale.

"Oakley?" Ryan asked.

"I'm not due yet," Oakley snapped as she breathed out. "It's fine."

"You don't look fine," Ryan mumbled.

Oakley glared over at him. It was almost seven at night. The summer had been a dry one, and the heat was unbearable during the afternoon most days.

"Oakley-"

"Have you done this before?" Oakley hissed as another pinch in her side made her wince.

"At least let me try and call Kayce?" Ryan sighed.

"It wouldn't matter, he's two hours away by fucking horse," Oakley breathed in as best she could. "Couldn't reach him anyway."

The whole point of Cowboy Camp was to be off the grid from the real world. Kayce was enjoying the last two weeks of July with his children while Oakley stayed home this summer. At twenty-eight weeks she didn't need to be in a tent, let alone riding a horse.

Oakley rested her forehead against the cool kitchen counter. She hadn't moved from her barstool for the past twenty minutes since the sharp pain in her side began. A few more breaths in and out, and Oakley felt slightly better.

When she lifted her head, Ryan stepped closer to her. Oakley waited for another minute and when her side still felt normal she slowly sat up on her seat.

"Can you get me some water?" Oakley whispered.

Ryan sprung to action, filling up a glass at the sink and holding it out to Oakley. She took the glass, feeling her fingers shake slightly as she raised it to her lips. The cool water felt good on her throat as she drank half of it and placed the glass down.

"Still wish you'd let me call Kayce," Ryan said. "He'll kill me if something happens."

"I'm fine," Oakley sighed. "It's just the joys of pregnancy-ah!"

A searing pain ripped through her side again, causing Oakley to double over and cry out. Ryan was by her side, holding her arm.

"Fuck it, Oakley!" Ryan reached for his phone.

**

"Okay, Mrs. Dutton," The nurse smiled. "She should sleep for the next hour or so."

"Thank you," Oakley said, but her eyes were on the bundle in her arms.

Wrapped in a light purple blanket was the newest addition to the Dutton Family. The nurse tucked in the larger blanket over Oakley before leaving the room. The little girl gurgled in Oakley's arm, making her smile wide.

There was a monitor connected to her chest. Oakley was exhausted but heard the doctor when he told her that the little girl's heart and lungs needed to be monitored for a while. She was small, too small to feel completely comfortable in sending them home anytime soon. But her cries were strong, meaning her stamina was there.

Oakley's eyes traveled over to the chair in the corner of the room.

"You can come closer, you know?" Oakley smirked.

"I d-didn't want to crowd," Ryan stood up slowly.

"Don't be silly, I'm sure you'll be watching out for her sooner rather than later," Oakley laughed. "Come say hi."