by Alex Dafney
I pinch my eyes shut as another contraction begins. Blake stands from the chair, rubbing his hand along my arm as I squeeze my eyes shut through the pain and grip his hand tightly. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do here, Abs.” I slowly roll my head side to side as the pain begins to ease. “You’re doing great. Just keep doing what you’re doing.” I open my eyes as he begins to laugh, turning my head toward him with a smirk. “Aren’t I supposed to be the one telling you that?” I chuckle along with him.
Four hours later the contractions are unbearable. I groan as I feel another coming on. Blake grips my hand tightly, wiping my sweat soaked hair from my forehead. “Breathe through it, Abs. You’re doing great.” I vaguely hear the door open as the immense pain spreads across my entire stomach, my eyes closed tightly. “I need to check how you’re progressing.” I simply nod my head to Rachel’s voice. I slide to my back, letting my legs fall to the sides.
“Just so you know. My eyes are closed, Abs.” I look up, finding Blake with his head tilted upward to the ceiling. I feel Rachel’s gloved hand between my legs as I chuckle, grasping Blake’s sweaty hand tightly. “Good to know.” I wince as I feel her checking to see my progress. “You’re ready to push! I’m going to buzz your doctor.” My eyes pop open as I stare at her while she removes the glove from her hand and stands. “No! I’m not ready to push! My husband’s not here.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile. “Unfortunately, baby is ready to meet you whether Mr. Jackson is here or not.” I pinch my eyes shut as another contraction wracks my body. I hear the door to the room close as Blake grips my hand in both of his. “I’m here, Abs. I’m not going anywhere.” I squeeze his hand tightly, waiting for this contraction to subside.
When it does, I blink up at his concerned face through teary eyes. “I can’t do this without him.” He gives me a wiry grin as one eyebrow raises. “Where’s my ass kicking, strong willed best friend? You got this, doll face, and I’ll be right here the whole while.” I grimace as another contraction begins and I squeeze his hand tightly. “Although kissing you once was bad enough. Don’t expect me to go anywhere near that.” He gestures his free hand toward my lower half as I let out a brief chuckle. The pain in my stomach intensifying by the second.
I hear the door to the room open, but don’t don’t open my eyes. “Mrs. Jackson! I’m surprised to see you a week early with this being your first child.” I recognize my doctor’s voice and give a small nod as the pain begins to ease up. I keep my eyes closed, my hand clenched around Blake’s while I listen to the sound of a rolling chair sliding across the room. I breathe through my nose, letting my breaths out through my mouth just like Jase and I were taught in birthing class.
“I decided to be fashionably early.” I bite my lower lip as another contraction begins. Listening to my doctor and Blake chuckle while I steady my breathing. “Abbi, you’re progressing quickly.” I feel a burning between my legs at my doctor’s words. “On the next contraction, I want you to start pushing, okay? You tell me when.”
As if on cue, the immense pains wraps around my front. I grit my teeth, squeezing Blake’s hand as I start to push. “That’s it, Abbi. Keep pushing through the entire contraction.” As the pain dissipates, I lie my head back on the pillow, closing my eyes and breathing heavily. Blake squeezes my hand lightly, leaning over me and placing a kiss to my forehead. “You’re doing amazing, Abs. Keep going.”
I lift my head as I feel the next wave coming, pinching my eyes shut and gritting my teeth as I push. “That’s it! Keep pushing!” I feel a hand brush my hair from my face as I continue to push. “Keep pushing, babe. You’re almost there.” My eyes open at the sound of Jase’s voice and I quit pushing, tears filling my eyes. “You’re here!” I hold my breath as another contraction starts. “Of course I’m here. Now breathe.” I slowly blow out my breathe as I begin to push. “One more, big push and baby is here.”
An hour later I’m sitting up in the hospital bed, our daughter cradled in my arms. Jase leans over, placing a kiss to my forehead. “You did amazing, Abigail.” I look up to him as he sits next to us on the bed, blinking back tears. “Thank you.” He gives me that endearing grin of his. “I should be thanking you. For her.” He gently lifts our daughter’s tiny hand, smiling as she curls her fingers around his.
I look down at her beautiful face, smiling widely. The years that I thought I had wasted waiting on the wrong man weren’t wasted at all. Merely preparing me to be thankful once I found my own happily ever after. And in this moment, I’ve never been more thankful for anything in my entire life.
About the Author
Early in life Alex found love. Reading. Books have always been a part of life and when the writing bug struck, it was a natural fit. Alex is an independent author who was raised and still resides in small town Alabama. When not writing, Alex will be found reading, cooking, or spending time on the lake with her husband, two children, and friends.
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Other Books by Alex Dafney
Denounce
Home
Safe Travels – Book One of the Shifting Through Time Duet
The Girl He Left Behind
What Could’ve Been