I know what you mean about horror stories! With DS1 I was 41 weeks and had the gel put in at around 8pm and went into labour overnight and ended up with an epidural as the midwife thought I was in early labour (without checking me) so was surprised when she checked 2 minutes after the epidural went in that I was fully dilated!
With DS2 I wanted to avoid the epidural as I knew I didn't need, I had the gel around 8pm and contractions started pretty much straight away, and waters broke at about 2.30am when I jumped into the shower (which was the best thing ever!) soon after being in the shower I started to feel shaky and threw up so the midwife quickly ushered my to the bed and I was fully dilated (I think I caught her by surprise as she said I laboured quietly and progressed quickly and that if I have a third to warn the midwife of this) and DS was born at 3.35am with no drugs.
I think it helps if you're really relaxed as it sounds like you are and if your care providers and support people know that you want to be given time for your body to go into labour, I made sure my obs knew I wanted plenty of time for my body to go into labour before we resorted to the drip (which luckily was avoided both times). Once I accepted that I was going in for an induction I was able to relax, it actually helped being in the delivery suite and getting familiar with the environment and relaxing there before I was in labour, DH and I brought scrabble (which by the way I scored my highest ever score, whilst in labour!) and relaxed kind of making it our 'space'.
Sorry this is long and rambling, all the best for the birth of your baby, you never know you may go into labour before thursday!