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I look down and see him at my right, squeezing my hand, Isa at my left, holding the other.
“One, two, push! Push, Momma!” I give it all I’ve got. My head shoots over to Drex. He grips my hands in his. Somewhere between rage and determination, I press his palms with all my might.
“Where the hell have you been?” The words choke out of me on instinct.
“Okay, Momma, one more push,” the doctor’s voice calls.
“I’ve been trying to get back to you.”
“We’re almost there. The head is crowning.”
“Promise me you’ll never leave me again.”
“Your baby’s head is out. One more push. Go!”
“I promise, I’ll never leave you, either of you.”
“Never again?”
“Never again.”
“And here we go! Shoulders are out, nurse, stand ready to catch.” At long last, I feel a massive release of pressure, and the next thing I see is the nurse, handing me my baby girl. She’s crying and covered in blood and placenta.
“She’s beautiful!” I cry out, looking now at Isa. Deep down, I knew there was a girl in me. Holding her in my arms is the most rewarding feeling I’ve ever known.
I look over at Drex. “Do you want to hold her?” His face says it all.
“I'm dying to.” He takes her into his arms. Her blue scales and tiny prehensile tail peek from her wrappings. I see she has her father’s silver hair, and I’m overwhelmed.
“We need someone to cut the cord,” the doctor says, holding up a pair of scissors.
Drex looks at Isa, holding his daughter. “Isa, will you do the honors?”
I see a wave of relief mixed with pride come over her.
“I’d love to.” She grabs the scissors and starts to cut. “Wow, it’s tougher than I thought!” Her eyes are full of tears.
After the cord is cut, Drex hands the baby to the nurse to have her cleaned up. He comes to my side, gripping my hand and pressing it into his lips.
“Am I a mess?”
“You’re stunning. There’s a glow all around you.”
“I was so worried, Drex. I thought I'd have to do this without you. Isa and I were prepared for the worst.”
“I’m here now, and I’m getting us, all of us, out of here.” His eyes meet Isa’s, who is guarding the baby while the nurses clean her. Then he bends down and kisses my forehead. I want to relish this moment forever.
“Nurse, come here.” The nurse hands the baby to Isa, who swoops her up like she’s her own. “Let’s get prepped for baby B.”
“Baby B!” The three of us exchange the same look.
“Next contraction is coming! Mom, we need you to push.” Pressure builds in my abdomen once again as the sensation takes over. “Push! Head and shoulders. One more.”
The pressure inside reaches its peak, taking my breath away. I’m overcome, pulling from reserves of energy I didn’t know I had and glad the labor was as quick as it was. Then I feel a release.
“It's a healthy baby boy!” the doctor cries, holding up a blood-stained baby with dark matted but wavy hair like mine. He hands the baby to me. I look down and am blown away with surprise.
“A boy.” Suddenly the intense dreams I’ve been having make sense.
