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We pace around.
I listen to Claire in labor.
Reagan tells me that there will be many hours to go. That I could probably go home and get some rest.
I don’t want to go home and get some rest. I want to be by my wife’s side while she delivers my child.
I go back into the room to sit beside her, taking her hand. She breathes in and out, using all the best practices we read in our books...and I can't help but look at her with awe.
As I sit beside Claire, holding her hand and watching her breathe, a wave of emotion washes over me. This woman, the mother of my child, is the strongest person I know. She's been through so much to get here, and she's still fighting.
And I get to spend the rest of my life with her.
I lean in and kiss her forehead, whispering words of encouragement. "You're doing great, babe. Just a little longer now. I'm so proud of you."
She smiles weakly and squeezes my hand as another wave of pain hits her. I can see the sweat on her brow, the strain on her face, but she never gives up.
Reagan, down at the foot of the bed, looks at us both.
"I think it's time to push!" she says.
Claire looks up at me, her blue eyes bright and watery. "Keep holding my hand," she says. "Don't leave."
"I'll never leave you, darlin'," I tell her. "Just stay right there. The whole family's here to support you."
Claire takes a deep breath and with a fierce determination, she pushes with all her might. I can feel the pressure in her hand increase as she grunts and groans through the pain. I know she can do this. She's amazing.
"Just a little bit more," I encourage her. "Our little girl is almost here."
I don't know how I know...but I do.
Our little girl is ready to meet the world.
Claire nods, sweat dripping from her forehead as she pushes once more.
"Come on, Little Bit," she breathes. "Just one...just one last..."
Reagan and the nurse stand at the foot of Claire's bed, dressed in their scrubs. I hold her hand, letting her squeeze so hard I'm afraid she might break it...
And then, just like that, I hear the cry of a baby.
I lean down and press my forehead against Claire's as she breathes in and out, her hand relaxing. Reagan is smiling, taking the baby, cutting the umbilical cord. I stay with Claire, looking into her eyes.
"You were amazing, darlin'," I say. "You did so good."
Reagan comes over to us, the baby swaddled in her arms. Our child is still crying, but we're all smiles--and I even see Sadie peeking through the door, her eyes sparkling with tears.
"It's a girl," Reagan says, handing her over to us.
Claire takes her, tears streaming down her face as she holds our daughter to her chest. I feel tears pricking at the corners of my eyes as I look at our daughter for the first time. She's small and fragile, but she's perfect.
Claire collapses back onto the bed, looking up at me with a tired smile.
"We did it," she says, her voice laced with exhaustion.
"We did," I say, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "You were incredible."
I take a moment to look at our daughter, her tiny fingers curled up against her chest as she finally stops crying. The world around us fades away as I watch her, my heart swelling with love for this little life we've created.
