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I stood up, grabbing Hailey's hand. "Come on, girl power. Let's go see if we can work some magic and calm the beast."
Hailey snorted, rolling her eyes as she followed me down the hall. "Yeah, I doubt it. But it's worth a shot."
When we entered Amy's room, she was sitting up in bed, her hair piled in a messy bun and a scowl etched on her face.
"Hey there, mama-to-be!" I chirped, trying to keep the mood light. "How're you feeling?"
Amy groaned, her hands gripping the sheets. "Horrible. Why do people have babies? Why? It's like being stabbed over and over again."
I grimaced, not quite sure how to respond to that. "Can I get you anything? Water? Ice chips? A punching bag with Pat's face on it?"
"Ice chips, please," Amy said, her voice strained. "I can't eat anything right now."
I nodded, heading for the door. "Ice, ice, baby, coming right up!" The glare Amy shot me told me she was not amused by my stellar sense of humor. "Alright, tough crowd. I'll be back in a jiff, and I promise, no more jokes."
I slipped out of the room and made my way to the nurses' station, where they kindly filled a cup with ice chips for me. When I returned, Amy accepted them gratefully, and as the next contraction eased, she seemed to relax a bit.
"Thanks for being here, Mol," she said, her voice softer now. "It means a lot."
I sat down beside her, taking her hand in mine. "Hey, that's what friends are for. We've got your back, always."
Amy smiled. "So, we haven't had a chance to catch up since I've been back. We love the nursey. You guys really saved us. Especially since this little girl has plaaaaaans." A contraction gripped her, and she arched forward grabbing her belly. I rubbed her back until it passed and then settled back in. "They're about a minute apart now," she panted, glancing at the monitor beside her bed. "It won't be long."
I grinned, squeezing her hand. "You're going to be an amazing mom, Amy. This kid is lucky to have you."
Just then, a nurse poked her head in, looking a bit wary. "Hi there, I just wanted to examine you, if that's okay?"
Amy waved her in, pushing damp strands of hair off her forehead. "Yeah, fine, come in."
I started to stand up, not wanting to intrude. "I'll just step out..."
Amy grabbed my hand before I could get too far, her eyes pleading. "No, stay. Please."
I nodded, settling back down as the nurse did her examination. I kept my gaze fixed on a spot on the wall, trying to give Amy as much privacy as I could.
"Looks like you're 10 centimeters dilated," the nurse said, smiling at Amy. "It's time to start pushing."
Amy's face scrunched up, and she turned to me, her eyes wide. "Mol, would you get Pat? I need him here."
I nodded, already heading for the door. "On it. I'll be right back."
As I hurried down the hall to where Pat, Hailey, and Jake were waiting, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. A new life was about to enter the world, and I got to be a part of it.
Sure, there would be screaming and crying and probably a few choice words thrown around, but in the end, it would all be worth it.
Because that's the thing about love, about family. It's messy and complicated and sometimes downright painful. But it's also the most beautiful, rewarding thing in the world.
And as I burst into the waiting room, ready to usher Pat back to his wife's side, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, I was ready for a little mess and complication of my own someday.
But first things first. We had a baby to meet.
Pat went in first and Hailey, Jake and I waited in the hall.
After what seemed like an eternity of screaming, the door flew open and Pat appeared with tears in his eyes. "I have a daughter!"
We all hugged and congratulated him.
"Amy is doing well. I will be back to get you when she’s ready for you guys to come in."
