by MF Isaacs
On the way, I called Hannah. I’d filled her in earlier so she was prepared for the call. “If you are not calling to tell me it is time. Hang up now to save our friendship.” After a long pause, she screamed, “Oh my god, it’s time. Steve it’s time. Sierra where are you?”
“We’re on our way to the hospital. My contractions are less than two minutes apart.” As I breathe through another one. “Okay, make that almost a minute apart. I wouldn’t wait. They were two minutes apart for less than an hour.”
“On our way. You’ll do great. We love you. Cal too.” I could hear her yelling at Steve as she hung up.
Cal parked in the handicapped space near the ER. He carried me inside and the night guard asked if we needed help. Cal ignored him as he made his way to the bank of elevators. We’d been to the maternity ward several times over the last couple of weeks for non-stress tests. He knew where he was headed and was hell bent on getting there. I’d managed to call and let them know we were on our way, so they were ready for us. Cal carried me straight into the room the nurse indicated. Right as he stood me on my feet, my water broke, full splashing puddle of fluid gathered around my feet.
To his benefit, Cal didn’t freak out. He simply told me it was going to be okay. He had me sit in the plastic covered chair while he let the nurse know. He returned with not one, but two nurses with him. They gave him towels and scrubs to change into, which he did in the bathroom while they helped me undress alongside the bed. They worked quickly getting me hooked up to the monitors and got an IV going. One nurse was checking to see how far along I was dilated when Cal walked out of the bathroom. “You’re dilated to a 5. It could continue to go rather quickly. The only thing we know for sure is that you will have a baby within 24 hours now that your water broke.”
There was a light knock on the door before Hannah poked her head in to make sure I was decent before she and my brother came in. Both kissed my head and shook hands with Cal. I asked Steve to call Curtis, since I hadn’t gotten a chance. Before he even pulled his phone out it was ringing. Curtis felt it. He knew. He may not have been my twin but he was the most connected person I’ve ever known. He told Steve he’d get there as soon as possible.
Amy and Luke were next to arrive. The pain was still bearable but getting a little worse. The nurse stood at my head writing down information from the monitor when she asked, “What is your plan for delivery, do you know who you want in the room with you?”
“Yes, it will be just Cal and me when it comes time to push.” I breathe through another contraction, this one stronger than any of the previous ones.
“What about pain management? Do you have a plan?”
“Yes, I am going to try to go natural. If it doesn’t get much worse than it is right now I will be fine.” Luke who is sitting in the corner of the room up off my right shoulder, bust out laughing. Full on belly laugh.
He is still laughing as he repeats my words, “not much worse than this.”
The nurse smiled at me as she told me, “Your window for an epidural is closing quickly. If you want one, we need to know now.”
“No. I will be fine without one.”
“I’d like to check you again. According to the monitor, they are less than a minute apart. Do you want all these people in here while I do that?”
Cal answers for me, “Hell no. Guys got to kick you out now. She’s going to check my wife.”
They filed out, kissing my head on their way. The nurse is efficient and was quick to tell me she was calling Dr. Donna in, she’d already called her to give her a status update so she expects she’ll already be on her way, but just to be safe.
Less than ten minutes later Dr. Donna was sitting between my legs on her stool. Cal was trying to hold both my legs back while I pushed. At the last minute, I told Cal to have Hannah come help him, which the nurse managed to do for us. With Hannah holding one leg and Cal holding the other, I pushed for less than 30 minutes before our daughter made her way into our world.
Sophia Julianne McMann was born on August 18, 2017 at 2:05 am 7lbs 6oz 20-1/2 inches.
Coming Summer 2017
CRAZY TWISTED LOVE
Crazy Love Series: Book 3
Curtis takes a few twists and turns on his path to finding love.
You won’t want to miss it.
A huge thank you to my family, each and every one of you. Your love, encouragement and support mean more to me than you will ever know. To my beta readers thank you for taking the time and giving your feedback and support. You are all beautiful and talented and now more badass than bitchy. To all of those who reached out after reading Crazy Good Love, whether in the form of a review, email or through social media…Thank you.
I’m MF Isaacs, I have been living on an island in Southeast Alaska since 2002. I grew up in a family of four sisters, living in the Seattle area. I got my love of reading from my mom and have passed it down to my own daughter.
I live for vacations, a good book, beautiful sunsets and hot book boyfriends.
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Facebook page: MF Isaacs
Instagram: @mfisaacs
Email: [email protected]