The nurse quickly leaves promising she’ll get the doctor.
“Thank you,” I groan. I hold Sue’s hand tighter as the next contraction starts.
She smiles motherly at me, wiping my face with a cool cloth.
We’ve been through hell in the last nine months. We almost lost Sue to pneumonia. I took over running the diner while she was recovering and the last month, she’s been taking care of me.
Shortly after I got home, I started to get sick. Soon after that, we found out I was pregnant. I had to give up on my dream of moving to Raleigh.
I got something else in return though – a family. We might not have much, but Sue has made sure that we will always have enough. With her and Jamie’s help, we’ve converted my room into a nursery for the baby.
The nurse returns with the anesthesiologist. “Just a few more seconds and the pain will be gone.”
I nod as I breathe through the intense pain pulsing in my abdomen.
He works behind me as he inserts something into my spine, and after a few minutes, I feel much better. I’m a little nauseous but at least the pain is only a dull ache now.
We have to wait another two hours before the nurse returns with Dr. Lee. He looks tired which isn’t very comforting.
“Della, when I tell you to, I want you to push,” he says.
I nod again, just wanting this all to be over with.
“Push,” he instructs.
After long minutes of pushing, I slump back against the bed. I can’t do this. It’s too hard.
I start to cry but then Sue squeezes my hand. “Honey, you can do this. You’re so strong. Bring this baby into the world.” She keeps rubbing my hand, her eyes shining with tears.
I’ve never seen Sue so emotional in my life.
“The baby is crowning, “Dr. Lee says. “Push hard, Della.”
I cry silently as I push with everything I have. When a cry fills the room, I start to sob. It’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.
“It’s a girl,” Dr. Lee says.
When I look at Sue, tears are streaming down her face. There’s an astonished smile on her face as she looks at the baby.
“Are you ready, Mom,” The nurse says and my eyes dart to the bundle in her arms.
She lays her down in my arms, and I drink in the little red face. She has a mop of dark hair, just like Carter.
“Do you have a name?” the nurse asks.
I shake my head, not sure if there is a name out there to do her justice.
“Daniele,” I whisper. “After Mom.”
Sue smiles proudly. “It’s a good name, strong, too.”
“We’ll complete the birth certificate for you. Who should we list under the father?”
I almost blurt out no one, but that would not be fair to Daniele.
“Carter Hayes.”
***