Page 6 of Open Net

Room three wasn’t a delivery room, so hopefully that meant we had more time to settle in and catch our breath. Although, that meant more time Emma was in pain.

I walked in as Emma slammed her hand on the side of the bed and let out a small cry. That noise broke me. She was already wearing a grey hospital gown and I instantly felt more guilt. Hopefully a nurse was there to help her. Getting her pants on and off had become a herculean feat lately, and she usually needed my help.

I rushed to her and took her hand. “What can I do?”

She blinked up at me and blew out a breath. “Go back in time and convince us dogs are all we need.”

I tried not to laugh but slipped. “I’m sorry. It will all be worth it in a few hours. You won’t remember any of this once our baby is here.”

Her eyes glazed over and she nodded.

The nurse, that was hooking up more monitors, sensors, and tubes than I’d seen on any one person smiled at me. “I’m all done here. I’ll be back in a few to check your progress.” She smiled once at Emma before hurrying out.

“Did she tell you what you’re dilated to?”

Emma reached for a small cup next to her and shook it against her lips dropping a few pellets on ice in her mouth. “Six.”

“How long were you feeling contractions before you woke me up?”

“There was only one.”

“So, you slept through the first part? Good job, babe.”

She shook her head at my stupid joke. “Or I was so exhausted from the trip and spending yesterday in the ER that I slept like the dead.”

I closed my eyes and let that sink in. The stress I’d put her under had caused her to go into labor. I knew it and so did she. Hopefully the baby was ready. If there were any problems because Emma was delivering early, I’d never forgive myself.

I cringed. “I’m sorry honey.”

She smiled for a second before grimacing. “The nurse said she was surprised I was already this far along. She said it’s uncommon for first-time moms to deliver early.”

“What about the baby? Is it too soon?”

She shrugged. “She’s going to do an ultrasound to check the baby’s lungs. I might get a steroid shot.”

I nodded and examined the room. It was small, just the bed and a single chair. We were only in here until it was time to start pushing so I guess they didn’t need to make it too cozy. As long as she wasn’t in labor for over twenty hours or anything crazy, we would be okay.

Emma was sweating and twisting trying to get more comfortable. How could I be thinking about my own comfort at a time like this? I could stand on pins on ice for hours if that’s what it took. She was the one about to push out a tiny human.

I shook my head and moved to the head of the bed and started to rub her shoulders. It didn’t seem real. The whole pregnancy hadn’t. I understood the concept. At the end we would have a baby of our own, but my brain still didn’t comprehend what that really meant. Our lives were in the process of changing completely.

I leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “You’re going to rock this, babe.”

She let out a huff. “Is it bad that I already want the drugs?”

“No. Of course not. Why?”

She shrugged. “All the moms I’ve talked to said how amazing natural birth was and how it’s better for the baby. But...I can’t. It’s too much.”

I squeezed her shoulders. “Do whatever will get you through this. Don’t worry what anyone else says.”

I felt her relax a bit under my hands and she nodded.

The nurse came back in, offering us a bright smile. “Hi Dad, I’m Kelly. Let’s check.” She went directly to the monitors and checked the printouts and made a few ticks with a pen. “Hmmm.”

I peered down at Emma who was studying the nurse expectantly.

“How do things look?”