I just wanted the man to shut the hell up.
Drake kept pressing kisses into my shoulder as I braced for the contractions. They were coming a hell of a lot faster than I thought they would. My pain was mounting, and my head was spinning.
“Once we get to the hospital, we’ll get you some drugs,” Drake said.
“All of them. Every fucking one of them,” I said.
The limo pulled up underneath the emergency overhang, where there were nurses there ready to receive us. They helped me out of the car and put me in a wheelchair, but it was getting harder and harder to sit upright. They raced me into the emergency room and barreled me down the hallway as I held Drake’s hand. I was trying to stay calm and keep my wits about me, but none of this was happening the way I had read it would.
I wasn’t prepared.
I thought I was—but I wasn’t.
Drake helped me out of my dress and into a bed. Paul came skidding around the corner, holding my pink and yellow bag as well as the baby blanket I had purchased a few days ago. It was always such a relief to have Paul’s calm and quiet demeanor around, but even he was shaking and falling apart at the seams.
“Hello Delia, just try to relax. I’m going to check your dilation,” the doctor said.
My legs were spread and his fingers were inside of me before I could protest. The pain took my breath away as another contraction hit around my body. I reached out for Drake’s hand as Paul wrapped around, grabbing my other one as tears poured down my face.
“Epidural. I need—I need one of those,” I said, breathlessly.
“She’s eight centimeters dilated. This baby is coming now, and she’s too far along for an epidural.”
“I’m what?” I asked.
“Delia, look at me.”
Paul’s voice ripped me from my fear as I turned my watery gaze towards him.
“There ain’t no one in this room that can do this but you. This baby’s stubborn, just like you. And it’s gonna be beautiful, just like you. Now you hunker down, roar as loud as you can, and show us men what real strength is.”
Tears poured down my face as Paul brought my hand to his lips to kiss. He smoothed my sweaty hair back before he nodded toward Drake, then made his way for the door. Nurses were piling in with all sorts of equipment as I looked up at Drake, my eyes pleading with him for mercy.
“Help me,” I said, breathlessly, “I can’t move my legs.”
“I got you, baby. I got you, okay?”
Drake hooked his strong arms around underneath the crook of my knee and bent my leg back toward my chest. Contractions were tumbling on top of one another now, rendering me speechless. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t cry out. I couldn’t cuss, and I couldn’t lash out. I could only allow the pain to sweep me underneath its current and become one with it. If I kept fighting, it would only prolong this agony.
I felt a nurse crook her arm underneath my other leg as my body opened up for everyone in the room. All of my inhibitions went out the window as I felt my body beginning to push. I placed my chin against my chest and bared down as hard as I could, roaring out into the room as everyone cheered me on.
“That’s it, Delia. Come on. Yell as loud as you can!” Drake said.
I shrieked out into the room as my hips began to split themselves open.
“Another push,” the doctor said. “Come on. You got this.”
I bared down again, my toes curling and my legs shaking as I squeezed Drake’s hand tight.
“I hate you!” I said, into the room.
“Come on. Tell me again. Tell me how you feel,” Drake said.
“Why the fuck did I let you touch me?” I said. “What the hell was I thinking!”
I pushed again, feeling a searing hot pain.
“I need a nurse over here,” the doctor said. “Delia, give me one last push. One more push and that beautiful baby will be here.”