Page 138 of No Merciful Corruption

“Only by two weeks, that’s very normal.” She coaxes gently. “Here, give me your hand.”

Oh my God…

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God

“Diego!” I call out.

Diego hands over Allegra to Lettie before rushing over. “I’m here, what do you need.”

“I don’t know, I don’t know what I need, our hospital bag is in the house!”

“Don’t panic!” Karina snaps. “Is your vagina about to push out an eight-pound baby? No. So calm down.”

Dahlia says through short bursts of breath, “Oh my God, my baby can’t be eight-pounds where is it going to come out of!”

“Where do we go, the hospital?” Diego asks.

“Manizales is too far, she might not make it.” I say. “Let’s take her to the clinic.”

Sofia passes on her way back inside. “I’ll go upstairs and pack a bag, we’ll follow you into town!”

“Bring my fluffy robe,” Dahlia moans. “And my slippers!”

I grab her face and kiss her quickly. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

“Tell me after because right now, I think this baby is going to split me open.”

* * *

“Dahlia, push! Push!”

Dahlia lets out a fierce battle cry before collapsing onto the bed again. “Don’t they usually give mothers epidurals? I’ve seen Grey’s Anatomy, I know my rights!”

“Mi amor, you went into labor too quickly remember?” Not to mention we’re at a local family clinic in Santa Lucia with no anesthesiologist and I really, really wish I had trusted my instincts and stayed in Barcelona for Easter. “You have to keep pushing.”

“Oh my God,” she cries quietly. “Your poor mother…pushing those massive heads out of her tiny body…my head is perfect. Karina and I have lovely heads.”

I think she’s delirious. I wish there was more I could do for her but the labor has been swift and intense. We would’ve never made it to Manizales much less gotten there in time for her to be medicated and monitored properly. I didn’t even think women could give birth so quickly. Especially not after receiving the “I spent twenty-eight hours bringing you into this world” speech from my own mother my whole life.

Dr. Cruz looks up from behind her glasses and says, “The baby’s head is crowning. We’re almost there.”

Dahlia’s hand tightens around mine. “I don’t…Alex, I can’t…”

“Just breathe. I’m here, I’m right here.” I kiss her hand. “You’re doing beautifully, you’re doing so well.”

“All right, now I’m going to need one last push from you okay?” Dr. Cruz says. “One more. Take a deep breath.”

Dahlia’s grip on my hand is numbing but I don’t care. I’m in the most uncomfortable position possible, kneeling on the edge of the bed while trying to support her from the back. She leans into me and I think it might be helpful but I can’t be sure. I just wish I could make it all go away as quickly as possible.

Dahlia lets out a ferocious cry as she pushes and Dr. Cruz adjusts her position. “Good, good! One more! One more, Dahlia!”

Dahlia cries out at the same time a shrill, high-pitched screaming fills the room.

“It’s a boy!” Dr. Cruz exclaims.

A boy

A boy