Some claim you don’t know someone until you have a child. After going into labor, I discovered my husband, Jasper, believed delivery was a spectator event with his game system, munchies, and a friend.

This seems like a dream.

Pregnancy altered everything. How I viewed Jasper and my body. Both of us were excited about the baby. During my search for infant size charts, Jasper was busy storming dungeons. He played video games.

Gaming has always been his method to relax after grueling construction project management days. Not a problem. It was his thing. Babe, feel this! Whenever our baby kicked like a boxer at 2 a.m., I called. He’d stop playing, hurry over, and put his palm on my tummy, beaming. “That’s our little ninja,” he whispered.

Though preoccupied, he was gentle, doting, and charming. When the baby came, would he treat it like another gaming mission or face reality? He attended every appointment, grabbed snacks late at night, and downloaded a contraction timer. He also took his Switch to birthing class and asked the doula about hospital Wi-Fi. I laughed—hormones? Only a little question remained. Would he act when needed?

Parents Nora and Theo were thrilled about the baby. They contacted frequently, delivered little onesies and parenting materials, and inquired, “Is Jasper helping enough?” They loved being grandparents but secretly hoped their son would get serious.

Nora was calm and authoritative like a retired principal. People listened to her speak. Theo was silent and spoke only when necessary. “Jasper was always in his own world,” Nora said. “We pulled him into reality.”

I informed Jasper that things were becoming serious at 38 weeks. “It’s happening soon,” I said. “I need you. For real.” He nodded, grinned. “Yes, babe. I’ll bring something to do during dull times.”

Thought he meant a puzzle or book. Not his genuine actions.

“The first part of labor can drag,” he warned one night as I prepared my hospital bag. “My cousin’s wife was in labor for 20 hours before anything big happened.”

“Big?” Raised eyebrow.

“You know,” he said. I don’t want to stare at your discomfort. That won’t help.”

I believed he was right. A little diversion could settle him, helping me. Too exhausted to protest, I gave up. Jasper had been terrific during pregnancy—he’d do well.

My water broke Tuesday morning at 2 a.m. I was breathing through contractions as Nurse Renee calmed me in the delivery room during early labor. She helped me into a gown, asking, “Husband parking the car?”

“He’s grabbing our bags,” I murmured, straining during a contraction. “Should arrive soon.”

Jasper entered with a suitcase and tote. A hospital bag? Hopeful, I asked.

“Nope,” he smiled. Entertainment station.”

He took out a portable screen, Xbox, controller, energy drink, headphones, and two huge bags of chips. He asked Renee for the closest outlet before I could understand. He’s setting up his console on my water cup table as I’m panting from contractions.

I gasped, “Jasper, what are you doing?”

“Setting up,” he remarked nonchalantly. “Don’t worry, I won’t interfere.”

“You’re here to support me,” I said.

Without glancing up from his wires, he added, “And I will. “First babies take forever. Remember my cousin’s wife? 20 hours!”

I grasped the bedrail and breathed through another contraction. Jasper looked. “You good?”

“Not really,” I grumbled.

“Need anything?”

“My husband,” I yelled.

He nodded aimlessly. “I’m yours once this is set up.”

Finally, his closest buddy Finn arrived with a Slurpee and fast food. They planned a Call of Duty session while I “worked on dilating.” The scent of fatty burgers made me ill.

“Why is he here?” I requested.

Jasper took the meal, saying, “Moral support.” “For us both.”

Renee intervened, firm. “Only patient and partner stay.”

“She’s fine,” Jasper added. It will take hours. We’ll relax in the corner.”

During contraction, he stated that. Finn looked uncomfortable. “Maybe I should return later?”

“Nah, man,” Jasper handed him a controller. We have time. Doc is yet to arrive.”

Renee crossed arms. Monitor her development and put up monitors. Those who oppose the mother must leave.”

Jasper whispered, “One sec, let me save this.”

Next came karma. Nora and Theo stood in the doorway, surprising us, taking in the Xbox, headphones, chips, and scene. Nora looked from the console to me and Jasper.

“Jasper. Outside. “Now,” she said, low but sharp.

His face paled. Finn almost fled. “Mom? Dad?” Stuttering Jasper. “What are—”

“Outside,” Nora repeated, harsher.

A quiet but serious hallway “talk” ensued. I didn’t hear everything, but Nora’s voice told me she wasn’t playing. Renee took my vitals, smiling. “Your mother-in-law is effective.”

“You have no idea,” I muttered.

Jasper returned ten minutes later, looking refreshed. Theo and Nora followed. Theo took Xbox and stuff. “I’ll put this in the car,” he continued, ignoring Jasper.

Jasper finished packing, then held my hand and murmured, “I’m so sorry, Wren. Now I understand. I’m here.”

Nora moved a chair across from me and wiped my forehead with a cold towel. “We’ve got you both,” she said.

Jasper supported me through every contraction with ice chips and encouragement, never complaining. When things became worse, I clutched his hand so tightly his fingers went white. He stared me in the eyes when I thought I was done. “You’re the strongest person I know,” he remarked.

Sage, our daughter, was delivered that evening after 16 hours of labor.

Nora and Theo remained a few days after we brought her home to keep Jasper from gaming again. He didn’t. Like a switch was flicked. The first night, Sage sobbed at 3 a.m., so Jasper got up, walked her around the living room, and sung off-key lullabies until she fell asleep.

Some need a wake-up call to recognize what important. Jasper wasn’t bad—just ignorant about motherhood. That delivery room day might have broken us, but it didn’t. Nora and Theo’s timing wasn’t luck—the cosmos gave Jasper encouragement.

Jasper is the first to feel Sage kick in her cot, grinning like a ninja again. I know we’re working together—for real this time.