As of Now Untitled

Prologue

Samantha—22 Years Ago

Sitting on the porch in the cute white rocking chair that her father bought her, 24-year-old Samantha Stewart watches as her best friend of 15 years and her husband make their way to the driveway of their 2 story house with the “new baby bag” as they had decided to call it.

“Well I guess it’s your time, huh, Sar?” She called across the street.

“Yes, my water broke!” Sarah answered excitedly. “I’m happy, but I wish we were doing it together Sam.”

“My girl is being stubborn and your girl is ready to let loose.”

Approximately nine months ago, my best friend and I decided it would be cool to go on a joint romantic vacation. My boyfriend and I had been together for 8 months and Sarah and Lincoln had been together about 18 months, and we always did everything together. The beach was awesome as always and we thought it would also be a good bonding experience for the guys since Lincoln still was sort of iffy about Justin. We had an amazing time, but imagine our surprise when we were both late the following month. As I said before, we did everything together, including as we came to find out, getting pregnant at 25, while not being married. It was fine though, we had great guys, we were in love, and we both wanted to be mothers to the greatest kids in the world.

Sarah decided to tell Lincoln first since they had the longest relationship, we when she called me to tell me that he popped the question, I of course had to go see the rock. Evidently he’d had the ring for months, but was just waiting for the right time to ask. Looks like he found it. The ring was gorgeous of course, nothing but the best for my girl. After a long chat with my bestie and making sure we were still on for our joint 1st doctor’s appointment later in the week, I headed for my and Justine’s apartment across town.

I was surprised to not see his truck in the lot when I pulled in, but figured he stayed late at the garage he worked at or went out for a beer with the guys. As soon as I opened the front door, I could tell something was wrong. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was, but didn’t stress too much. I decided to go and grab the cute shirt I bought to show Justine we were expecting. It had an oven on the front of it showing the light on, were you could see a toasted bun and it said, “There’s a not so done bun in my oven.” I thought it was adorable when I saw it and had to buy it.

As I grabbed the shirt and went into the bathroom to change and fix myself up a bit, my eyes caught on Justin’s side of the closet and it was empty. I opened it up fully to make sure it wasn’t just pushed over to my side, but, no, his side was empty. I went to the dresser and all of his drawers were empty as well. I went into the bathroom to make sure I wasn’t going crazy, but all of his grooming crap was gone as well. No body wash beside mine in the shower, no razor or clippers in the built in shelf, no deodorant, no toothbrush or his special toothpaste for his sensitive teeth. If I didn’t know any better, I would be sure that he never even lived here. I went out into the living room and then I realized what we different when I first walked in. No boots at the front door, no big screen TV on the table in front. No X-Box One or PlayStation 4. It was actually kind of eerie how he could do all of this in a matter of hours when it took us almost 3 days to move in.

I went into the kitchen to gain my composure and grab a drink, but when I opened the fridge, I couldn’t believe it, that jerk had even cleaned out my fridge. I didn’t care about his beer and lunchmeat, but the bastard took my Sprite’s and Shrimp Scampi. It was ridiculous! Who does this type of thing? Just up and leave with no explanation at all? No sorry loser, kiss my ass, see you on the other side, nothing! Guess it was time to call my bestie. As I made my way back into the front where my purse and phone were on the entry table, I caught a glimpse of an envelope taped to the front door. As I made my way closer I saw my name in his messy scrawl. I snatched the envelope down and opened it. As I grabbed the paper out, the apartment key fell into my open palm. Well, I guess that answers the questions of whether he plans to even try to come back. I open the letter and find more of his messy writing.

Sam,

I’m sorry! I know this is a shitty way of doing this, but I knew if I saw your face and you asked me to stay, I would have caved. The only problem is, I would have resented you for it and you would have ended up hating me anyway. I came home earlier today for lunch and you had a call to confirm your first prenatal appointment for Thursday. I was shocked to say the least. But Sam, I don’t want kids. I never have, and never will. I just can’t do it. I’m so sorry. I’m gonna go down to Florida to stay with my cousin Johnny for a while so you don’t have to worry about seeing me around town or anything. If you decide to tell the kid about it, it’s up to you, but please let them know it’s nothing they did or you did. I’m just a selfish asshole who doesn’t know how to grow up. I hope one day you can forgive me. I left money for the last 4 months of the apartment lease and some groceries. Sorry about the food, just didn’t have the energy to go shopping after moving everything out. Again, I’m really sorry Samantha. When you find the guy who wants you and a family, you will thank me.

Have a great life,

Justin

So, that’s how I ended up back across the street from my best friend in my old room that I grew up in. When Sarah’s parents died in an accident our Sophomore year of college, she got the house, but didn’t live in it until about a year ago, after we graduated and moved back home. I moved with her for a while, while I looked for an apartment and until Lincoln could have his job transferred. When I got with Justin, we moved into the nice two bedroom apartment that he abandoned me in. Well, it is what it is. Enough about that. My best friends having a baby, let’s get this show on the road.

Sarah

As Lincoln gets me settled into the car, Sam waddles over to climb in behind me. We decided that although Lincoln and I got married and he’s going to be there through it all, we would be each other’s birthing partners, so my girl is here to hold my hand, get me ice chips and so on and so forth. I do my breathing exercises with Sam all the way to the hospital. I must say, this crap does not help in the least. I can feel the tears on my cheeks, but I don’t want to lift my hands from the bottom of my huge belly to wipe them. It amazes me that we are both 9 months pregnant with baby girls, but I’m so much bigger then Sam. I have to hold my belly or I feel like I will topple over, even if I’m sitting. Lincoln is trying to soothe me from the drivers’ seat, but I really just wish he would stop talking. He’s making it worse. Our baby girl loves the sound of her daddy’s voice and it’s like she’s trying to get out to be closer to him.

We’ve been married 5 months. I wanted to wait until after the baby, but Linc was adamant about the baby being born in wedlock. Lincoln is really traditional and amazing like that. I actually seduced him the first time we went all the way. I love him with everything I am. We’re both so excited about this baby. We called his parents as soon as my water broke and they’re catching the first flight from Arizona, were they retired to. Why anyone would willingly move to Arizona is anyone’s guess, but they did it.

We pull into the hospital lot and Linc pulls up to the valet side because he says he doesn’t think the two of us need to be alone while he parks. Always thinking logically is my Linc. I’ve already called my doctor and she should be here or on the way. I get signed in quick because of the new thing where you can come to the hospital before you due date and sign all necessary paperwork and get a tour of the new Women’s Pavilion and birthing suite and nursery. As I’m wheeled up to the 5th floor, I take my best friends hand and squeeze, just to give her reassurance that I love her. I couldn’t love her more if we were born to the same parents.

Once I’m stripped down and strapped down, it seems like all we do is wait. I’m only at four centimeters, but my blood pressure is a bit high, so they aren’t going to send me home to wait, Thank God. After about 3 hours, of huffing and puffing and screaming and ice chips, the doctor comes in to check and I’ve increased a couple centimeters. She wants to do another sonogram to check position because my girl was trying to turn around last week at my appointment and she wants to make sure she’s still head down. As she reads the sonogram machine, she makes some sort of noise that scares me half to death and makes me squeeze Linc and Sam’s hands in a death grip.

“What, what’s wrong? Oh, God, someone tell me now!” Lincoln looks like he’s seen a ghost. “Lincoln, you tell me right now what’s wrong with our girl.”

Lincoln looks at the doctor, “Why does my daughter have three arms Dr. O’Shea?” He looks serious and like he’s about to cry. He can’t be serious. We just had an ultrasound and she was perfect.

“Lincoln,” the doctor says, “I’m afraid your daughter doesn’t have three arms, however, she is trying to hold the hand of her twin.”

I scream, squeeze both hands holding mine, making Linc wince and Sam scream a bloodcurdling scream. I didn’t mean to squeeze that hard. I try to let go, but she has me in a death grip.

“Um, Sar,” Sam pants, “I think my water just broke all over your birthing bed.”

I guess when we made the pact 15 years ago that we would always do everything together, we meant it. We couldn’t even go into labor alone. The doctor and nurses couldn’t pry our hands away from each other, so they move all of my machines to one side of the suite and roll another birthing bed into my suite. Lincoln uses Sam’s phone to call her parents and tell them what’s happening. He had to step out while the nurses helped Sam get changed and into bed. Sam’s mom was her other birthing partner and took up residence on the other side of her bed, Lincoln on the other side of me and Sam and I holding on to each other in the middle and panting and screaming together. Five hours later, within 20 minutes of each other, we had Lanie and Lincoln Harris Jr and Kimberly Stewart. It was the best day of my and my best friends’ life.