She pauses now and then to clutch at her stomach like the pain is so intense she feels it deep inside her soul. It takes me longer than I’d like to admit to realize what that means. It occurs to me when she stops crying to focus on her stomach, breathing long and deep through her nose and out from her mouth.
“Um,” I say, when the realization dawns. “Molly, are you sure you’re okay?”
Red-faced and with a look of pure concentration, she says, “Calix says they’re practice contractions. Practice my ass, they sure feel like the real thing.”
“Molly, I hate to say this, but I think they are the real thing.”
She pushes back her hair and smiles, which wasn’t the reaction I was expecting. “Sugar, I think I’d know if it was time. I’ve been waiting for weeks to have this baby. I wouldn’t…I mean, I think I’d…” Her smile slips off her face and she mutters to herself, “I’d know if I was in labor.”
“How long have they been like this?”
Sweaty brows knitting together, Molly says, “On and off through the night, I think. I stopped keeping track when Calix told me that stuff about them being false labor.” She snorts a little. “They got worse this morning, I think. I haven’t been sleeping well, so my days and nights have been running together.”
“Why don’t we track a few, just to be sure. Let me know when you have the next one.”
“Sure, honey, but I think you’re barking up the wrong tree here because I’m not in—” Her expression contorts in pain and her eyes flutter closed as she weathers the contraction.
Quietly, I tell Uvie to note the time and call for Draven, who’d gone with Oz and the others to observe the weapon’s testing. The contraction lasts about a minute or so and when it’s over, Molly’s body relaxes. There’s no way these are false. She can barely talk through them. From what I’ve read on the subject, they get longer and stronger. Rest should mitigate false labor and Molly has been doing nothing but resting.
This baby is coming, whether we’re ready or not.
When the contraction ends, I take her hand in mine. “I hate to break it to you, Molly, but I think you’re wrong.”
“No, I can’t…there’s no way.” She sucks in gulps of air like she’s drowning. She does this until another contraction robs her of words.
I wait until the wave of pain passes and meet her gaze. “You can and there is. Uvie is getting the word out to Draven. He was helping Oz prepare for the test runs. Let’s get you comfortable.”
Molly waddles around while I change her sheets and pour her a glass of recycled water from the sink. She drinks thirstily. “Please tell me you’ve delivered a baby before?” she asks in a hopeful tone. “Or at least know what you’re doing.”
“We don’t exactly get a lot of pregnant women in the library. I’ve read a couple books on the subject, though.” At her look of growing horror, I rush to add, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Calix and Draven will be here soon and according to what I’ve read, first time mothers are often in labor for several hours. Maybe even days!” If the sound of my voice edges on hysteria in that last bit, I can only hope Molly doesn’t hear it.
Thankfully she is too distracted by another contraction to pay any mind to me. I get her into the bed once the sheets have been changed.
Uvie announces in her computerized voice, “According to my data, her contractions are coming every four minutes and lasting fifty seconds.”
“I’m pretty sure that means this is it, chickie.”
“Crap on a cracker. I don’t know whether to be excited or terrified.”
“I think that about covers it.” If my hands shake while I press a cool cloth to her head, I’m only glad she can’t see it.
Seven Solars Left
“The communications systems are down,” Uvie reports. “The geostorm affecting the facility is interfering with my ability to contact Draven and Calix. Should I keep trying?”
“Are there any morts left inside the building?” I brush a stray lock of hair away from my face.
"Not presently.”
“Keep trying to reach them. Maybe the storm will pass.”
Molly, who has been laboring for going on nine hours, huffs on the bed. She’s been moving from position to position to get comfortable—not that it’s possible. I considered early on sending for one of the women to retrieve Calix and Draven, but I don’t want to scare them or distract Oz any more than I have to. This may be his one chance to test the weapon before the army from Earth II arrives. I have to be strong for him, for Molly, for all of them.
“I can’t do this,” Molly groans on the bed.