Paper Dolls

by Sienna Mynx

  “Zee, baby wait. I have to know. Can we begin again?” he asked.

  “Hey in there? José, are you in there?” Candace banged on the door.

  “Yes! Candace, we are!” she said with relief. The faster she got away from him the better.

  “Okay, let me get my key.” Candace said.

  “Zee, please—”

  “Just let it go, José.” She found it hard to look him in the eye. She couldn’t look at him. If she did he’d see the truth. She desperately wanted another chance with him again.

  Raven –

  “Ow, what was that?” Raven groaned.

  “Rae, you okay in there?” Alexander called from the bedroom. Pain, searing sharp pain hit her at the base of her spine and stretched around to spasm in her pelvis. She was forced to grip the sink to keep from slipping to the floor. And next came the cramp in her coochie. She had three days until delivery. She should have known she wouldn’t make it.

  And then her water broke, the mucus plug caught in her panties.

  “Oh shit!”

  “Rae? Babe?”

  “I’m alright, sweetheart. I’m okay,” she wheezed. The last thing she wanted to do was excite him. Maybe she was wrong. She pulled down her panties and there were no maybes about it. “Uhm, Alexander?”

  The door opened. He stood over her with eyes stretched. She hadn’t told him yet and she could see full panic in his eyes. When she tried to speak a contraction kicked her in the gut again. She folded.

  “Raven.” He swept her up in his arms and carried her out.

  “Put me down. Where are you going, Alex?”

  He ran with her through the bedroom to the living room. He acted crazy. Neither of them were dressed. “Alexander! Stop!”

  He sat her down on the sofa. “I’ll get your stuff!” he said.

  He rushed back into the bedroom. She had to laugh.

  “Don’t forget your pants!” she said. She grabbed the arm of the sofa and lifted herself up.

  “What is all the yelling about?” Margene asked. Her mother walked out of the guestroom.

  “It’s time, Mom, I need to change. Help me.” Raven reached for her mother. Alexander ran past them both with the bags in his hands. He’d changed from his boxer shorts to slacks, but his shirt was unbuttoned. He threw her things at the door and then ran back into the room.

  “What is he doing?” Margene frowned.

  “Good lord, who knows,” Raven said. With her arm hooked in her mother’s, and her hand to her back, they managed to make it to her bedroom.

  “Let me go put on my shoes and get my purse,” Margene kissed her cheek.

  Raven nodded she was okay. She entered the room and found her husband putting on his shoes.

  “Alexander, baby, slow down,” she said.

  “Why are you standing?” he asked with concern.

  “I need to change,” she said.

  “No! We’re leaving. MARGENE! MARGENE!”

  “Stop yelling,” she shouted over him.

  “I’m here, Alexander.” Margene hurried back inside the room with her purse on her shoulder.

  “It’s time, let’s go,” he announced. He grabbed Raven and she hit at him. She resisted him carrying her again. He was acting manic.

  “I’m changing my underwear and cleaning up, give me a second. Stop it!” she demanded.

  “Raven? We should go now,” he said and pulled on her once more. Raven pushed at him. The two were in a tug-of-war. Margene’s gaze volleyed between them both.

  “Momma, please help me!” Raven pleaded.

  “Alexander, let her go,” Margene said calmly. He stopped pulling on Raven but only when Margene got between them.

  “It’s okay. Go get the car and put the things in it. I’ll bring her downstairs,” Margene said.

  When Raven looked into her husband’s eyes she saw nothing but fear. He was terrified. And she was too. But they had to have a little faith. Alexander stepped back. His gaze remained locked on Raven. She knew he couldn’t bring himself to leave her side for a minute now.

  She walked toward him and hugged his waist. “I’m sorry I yelled at you,” Raven said. “The contractions aren’t that fast. Go downstairs, baby. I’m coming. I promise.”

  He kissed the top of her head and did as the women asked. Raven sighed with relief. She took a step and another contraction punched her hard in the stomach. Her hand went to the wall.

  “Hurry, sweetie,” Margene said.

  She nodded and went to the bathroom. She found the clothes she wanted to change into after she showered. When she stripped off her clothes and began to wipe and clean herself Margene came inside. “You want me to call Zephyr and Valentina?”

  “Yes, I’ll be ready in a few.”

  “Hurry, honey, I don’t want Alexander to have a stroke before the baby gets here.”

  Zephyr –

  “How long were you two locked in there?” Candace asked. She eyed the shirt Zephyr wore. In her haste she buttoned it incorrectly.

  “Too long, excuse me.” She pushed past Candace and went for her things. She arrived at the director’s office in time to hear her cell phone ringing in her purse.

  “Zee, please don’t go—let’s talk,” he said from behind her.

  “Hello?” she answered.

  “Zee, sweetie it’s Margene, Raven’s in labor.”

  “What? Now?” Zephyr gasped.

  “Yes, we’re on our way to the hospital,” Margene replied.

  “Okay, I’m on my way,” Zephyr said. She stuck her phone in her back pocket. She closed her case and grabbed her purse. She headed for the door. José blocked her path. “What is it?”

  “Raven’s in labor.”

  “I’ll drive,” he offered.

  “That’s not necessary,” Zephyr frowned.

  “I’ll take you.” He took the handle of her case from her hand. “C’mon.”

  She hesitated. José started for the door. Zephyr sighed and followed him.

  Valentina –

  “Yes! Mmm, baby!” Mattel’s hand’s caressed up her hips and ass. She rode him. Her pussy went up and down on his upward turned cock. Matt was beneath her. His hands now gripped her hips to slow her pace. She smiled at the tortured look of pleasure reddening his face. She had little tricks to make him suffer. Ways she could work her lower half to make it tight for him. He wheezed when she swirled down on his dick and pulled herself up slow. She didn’t dare stop. It felt so good. They were perfect together. It was harmony. He squeezed her ass cheeks and parted them to open her wider. Now she felt him deeply.

  Valentina ran her hands up and down the hard planes of his chest. She rode him faster and faster. The quick spasmodic pumps and thrusts caused his cock to seize within her. Her sweetheart was close. She could feel it. And then he broke. Mattel snatched her down to him and held her as he released into the reservoir of the condom.

  “Mmm, baby, so good, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “What number is that?” he panted.

  “It’s three. I want eight orgasms, one for each Grammy nomination.” She giggled.

  Mattel groaned. “Not humanly possible, sweetheart. Enough, Valentina. I’m done.”

  “No! Wait! You can take a break then you’re going to give me some more of that vanilla I love.” She pinned him down and flicked her tongue at his lips. “This is my celebration, honey, and I ain’t done partying.”

  He chuckled. The phone rang. Valentina was the closest. She answered with Mattel’s deflated cock still wedged inside of her.

  “Hello?” she panted.

  “Valentina? It’s Zee, we’re on our way to the hospital,” Zephyr said.

  “We? Who?”

  “Rae is in labor, get there now!” Zephyr told her.

  “Shit! Okay.” Valentina gasped.

  “What is it?” Mattel asked with renewed concern.

  “Damn!” She lifted off his dick and took the condom with her. “Raven would give birth now.” Valentina frown
ed and dealt with the messy task of cleaning herself up.

  “Now?” Mattel asked with disappointment.

  “NOW! Let’s go!” she told him.

  Raven –

  “It hurts!” she moaned. Alexander looked over at her with concern. He reached and touched her hand. “I’m scared,” she told him.

  “Raven Marie, stop it. Women give birth everyday,” Margene said from the backseat. Her mother was the only one who seemed unfazed by the drama. When one was to consider Raven’s history with delivery there should be concern. But her mother wouldn’t play into those fears. She prayed over the baby and that was that.

  “But the baby’s early. What if something is wrong?” Alexander asked.

  Raven burst into tears.

  “No! No, love! I didn’t say it to upset you!” he said and squeezed her hand. He increased his speed and Margene protested for him to slow down from the backseat.

  “I’m scared,” Raven wept. “I don’t want to be. I need to have faith. The doctors said the baby is fine. But this is too much.”

  “Raven, listen to me,” Alexander said. He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. He then pressed it to his heart. “I was wrong to say it. We’re going to be fine, love. Our baby is just like Mommy, has to do it his own way.”

  “We don’t know if it’s a boy,” Margene said.

  Raven chuckled. “Alex says it’s a boy.” She looked over at him with love. It would be great to have a boy. Just like his father. Three months ago they were married again. Raven initially wanted to wait until after the baby was born. However, Margene and Alexander surprised her with the sweetest most intimate ceremony. This time around they didn’t need fanfare, or flying doves. The rabbi performed the ceremony in front of a few friends and family.

  “You’re going to be okay,” he winked at her and then returned his gaze to the road.

  “Yes, yes. I’m going to be okay,” Raven practiced her breathing.

  “Plus they can give you some good drugs when we get there,” Margene said from the back seat.

  Raven laughed. “How did you manage it, Margene?”

  “Girl you gave me fits. Plus it was a hurricane too. I barely got to the hospital before you were climbing out of me.”

  Alexander looked over and shook his head that there better not be a repeat performance of that. Another contraction hit Raven so hard she wasn’t completely convinced that a roadside delivery wasn’t in their future.

  “Ooooowwwweee!” she said. She dropped her head back against the headrest. “It’s coming.”

  “No, no it’s not.” Alexander insisted. He swerved past two more cars and Margene screamed.

  He accelerated back into the right lane and avoided oncoming traffic. Thankfully they arrived and the contractions lessened. Raven could barely get her door open before Alexander was there, and helping. She hadn’t realized he left the driver’s seat.

  “I got you, sweetie,” he said. Raven smiled at him. Trusted him. She nodded her consent.

  “Look at what you did to me. Again!” she laughed to lighten the mood as he swept her into his arms.

  “Sorry, babe, I’m too damn scared to have a sense of humor,” he grunted.

  Together she and her family went inside the automatic doors.

  “We need help!” Alexander yelled. Everyone looked up surprised. A nurse brought around a wheelchair and Alexander put her down in it. “My wife’s in labor, the baby’s coming right now,” he panted.

  Three nurses rushed Raven and she was taken away.

  “Alexander!” Raven called after him. He was not leaving her side. Raven extended her hand to him but the nurse turned the corner and they couldn’t reach each other. Panic settled in with another contraction and she cried.

  FRIENDS—

  Valentina arrived at the hospital and walked straight to the nurses’ station. “My friend Raven Katz is in labor,” she said.

  The nurse frowned.

  “The Women’s Ward is on the fourth floor.” The nurse answered in a dry disinterested tone.

  “Can you tell me what room she’s in, damn?” Valentina snatched off her sunglasses so the nurse could see her glare. The nurse smacked her gum and took her time. It was deja-vu in this hospital all over again. Mattel touched Valentina’s back to keep her from snatching that nurse up by her throat. The nurse looked up at them both. “Room 4129, it’s a private room.”

  “Thanks. Bitch,” Valentina mumbled the last part under her breath. She grabbed Mattel’s hand and they headed for Raven.

  **

  “Hi my friend is in labor, her name is Raven Katz.”

  The nurse looked up and frowned. “Can you tell me—”

  “Room 4129,” the nurse said.

  “Thanks,” Zephyr said. She and José walked briskly to the elevators.

  **

  “Raven, it’s going to be okay.” Valentina assured her.

  “Nooooooo!” Raven wept. Alexander paced the floor with his hands to his head.

  “Can’t they give her something?” Valentina asked.

  “No they can’t. She’s fully dilated, the doctors say it’s too late.”

  “I’m scared, Valentina. There’s too much pain. Something might be wrong.”

  “Hush now. Nothing is wrong. This is normal,” Valentina looked to the door and then back to her friend. “Damn it where is Zee? She knows how to handle these things. Don’t freak out on me, girl. You know you want to do this.”

  “Ow!” Raven cried out.

  “It’s okay, love,” Alexander returned to her other side. He kissed her brow. “It’s okay.”

  “Yes, Rae, it’s okay. Remember all that damn giggling you’ve been doing for nine months. You’ve had the perfect pregnancy. Not one failed test. Just relax and let nature take its course.”

  “Why don’t we step out and give the ladies some room, while we wait on the doctor?” Mattel said to Alexander. Her Mattel was clearly uncomfortable with Raven’s screams and grunts. Alexander kissed his wife.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  Raven nodded through her tears. “I’m okay, can you go see where the doctor is?”

  “Yes, yes.” He kissed her lips. “I’ll do that.”

  When the men walked out Zephyr rushed inside, she tossed her purse. Margene, Raven’s mother, sat near the window watching the girls. She didn’t participate.

  “Hey you! Is it time already for my baby to come?” Zephyr smiled.

  “Oh Zee, the baby’s early,” Raven began to cry again.

  “Girl, our baby is right on time.” She kissed her cheek.

  “It’s only three days early,” Valentina reminded Raven. “That’s normal. Right, Zee?”

  “Yes. It’s normal,” Zephyr reassured Raven. But Valentina heard the worry in Zephyr’s voice. None of them knew anything about delivery. Raven was the only one between them that had been pregnant.

  The contraction must have kicked Raven in her big belly again. She wailed with pain. She gripped Zephyr and Valentina’s hands. They endured.

  Zephyr grinned. “This is so exciting.”

  Margene stood. “It’s okay, sweetie, soon it will be over.”

  Raven smiled at her mom. She knew Margene was scared by the way she fidgeted and wrung her hands. She was grateful to God that she had them all with her now.

  The doctor walked in followed by Alex. He stopped before the small crowd. “We can only have three in the room during the delivery.” He announced.

  Margene was the first to volunteer too leave. Which shocked them all. “I’ll be right outside, okay?” her mother said, and was out the door. Raven nodded. Mattel and José left. It was then that Raven noticed that José was among the men. She glanced to Zephyr for an explanation, but her friend was solely focused on Raven’s comfort.

  “How are you feeling?” The doctor asked.

  “Like I’m being ripped apart,” Raven answered.

  Zephyr smoothed back her wet hair from her face.

&n
bsp; “Is it supposed to hurt her this bad before the delivery?” Alexander asked.

  The doctor scooted his stool closer and was between her legs when he spoke. “Well looks like it’s showtime.”

  “What?” Raven shouted. “Now?”

  “Now, just work on your breathing. I’ll tell you when to push,” the doctor said.

  Raven squeezed her friends’ hands as Alexander’s eyes stretched. He watched with amazement. Raven felt another contraction and the urge to push was so great she cried.

  “Don’t push, Mrs. Katz, don’t push.”

  “Omigod!” Alexander gasped. “I see the baby’s head. Lots of curly hair love. Lots of hair.”

  “You do?” Valentina asked.

  Raven wept and dropped back on her pillow. “It hurts so bad!”

  Zephyr leaned in and stroked her face. “We can do this together. Valentina and I are right here. Now let’s try okay.”

  “Okay! okay…”

  “Mrs. Katz, the next contraction is bearing down on you, I need you to push,” he instructed. Raven sat up and grabbed her knees. Zephyr stroked her lower back, and Valentina stroked her hair. She looked to her husband. He peered over the doctor’s shoulder. She read in a book once that men shouldn’t watch the gory delivery. But no one could pull Alexander away.

  “Is the baby okay, Alexander?” Raven asked.

  “Yes love, it’s coming. I can see the little one coming.”

  She felt a sharp pain and groaned. She wanted to push so damn bad.

  “Breathe, Rae,” Valentina said.

  “Okay, Mrs. Katz, push for me. Now!” the doctor said. There were several nurses in the room too.

  “Push, Rae!” Zephyr encouraged.

  Raven pushed while huffing and puffing and it felt like her lower half ripped. She cried out in agony but managed a sweet measure of relief as the baby’s head then shoulders wiggled out.

  “I see the baby!” Alexander exclaimed.

  “One more push, Mrs. Katz,” the doctor said.

  “Go, Rae, do it,” Valentina cheered her on.

  “Breathe, breathe!” Valentina panted at her side trying to show her how. Raven ignored everyone and squeezed her friends’ hands. She gave the push of her life. The baby emerged and coughed twice before crying.