My Husband Gave His Couch in the Delivery Room to My MIL and Went on a Boys’ Trip Instead – He Got a Lesson He’ll Never Forget

I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “Okay.”

My relationship with Janet had always been complicated.

She wasn’t mean exactly, but she had this way of making little comments that stung. “Are you sure you want to wear that to dinner?” or “Luke’s ex used to make the most amazing pot roast.”

We were polite to each other, distant, and civil. But right then, she was all I had.

The contractions started at two in the morning, sharp and relentless.

I was already at the hospital. I called Janet, and she answered on the first ring.

“I’m on my way. Don’t move.

Just breathe.”

She showed up at the hospital 20 minutes later in her pajamas, hair thrown into a messy bun, carrying a duffel bag and a thermos of chamomile tea. Her face was set in a fierce, determined expression I’d never seen before.

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