I look under the afghan again, thankful she is wearin’ a shirt. I look at the shirt again and it says, “Never eat watermelon seeds.” In other circumstances, it would be funny, but I don’t laugh. I see blood, a lot of blood.
“We have to take off your shorts off.” I remove them and see that the baby is in fact comin’. I was hopin’ we would have more time, but we don’t.
I hear the screen door burst open and a woman’s voice yells. “Savannah Mae?”
“Up here.”
I look at the door hopeful someone is here to help. I’m surprised when I see Samantha Marie run into the room.
“I came as fast as I could. Did you call 911?”
“I did.”
“How far apart are your contractions?” she asks Mia.
“They’re close.”
“I’m not a nurse yet, but I did graduate the top of my class. Can I see?”
I watch as my little sister takes over. She’s calm and in control. Why didn’t I think about her bein’ a nurse? I helped her study when she took the last final exams in O.B. and Pediatrics. She sits on the bed and takes Mia’s blood pressure and pulse. She writes them down on the back of her hand.
Mia yells, “Oh, God! It’s comin’!”
Samantha Marie removes the afghan and lifts up Mia’s shirt. She smiles when she reads it, and then she says, “The baby’s crownin’, I can see its head.”
“Oh, God,” I say. “The baby’s comin’.”
“Oh, God,” Mia moans.
“Savannah Mae, I need some towels, a shoelace, and a turkey baster. Can you go and get me those things?”
I start to question why on earth she would need a turkey baster and a shoelace, but I decide against it when I see the glare in her eyes. “Do you need boilin’ water?” I want to boil some water.
“No. I need towels, turkey baster, and a shoelace.”
I run downstairs and look in every drawer for a turkey baster. Of course, it’s in the last drawer I open. I grab a handful of towels from the linen closet and take them to her. My sister has Mia scooted at the foot of the bed with her knees bent and her legs spread apart. Samantha Marie is sittin’ on a vanity stool breathin’ with Mia. My heart swells with pride. I place the two items beside Mia and run into the closet to get a shoelace from Levi’s boots.
I hear painful grunts and I get goosebumps. I listen for sirens, but I don’t hear any. I pray for help to come and for a healthy baby.
Mia moans and I can hear a loud grunt.
“The baby’s out,” Mia cries.
I look over my sister’s shoulder and I see a dark head stickin’ out. I quickly lay the shoelace beside the other items and rush over to Mia’s side. Samantha Marie obviously knows what she’s doin’. I would do better supportin’ Mia and offerin’ comfort.
“Don’t push,” my sister says sternly.
Mia eagerly takes my hand and squeezes. It’s painful, but I ignore it.
“You’re doin’ great.” I brush her wet hair away from her sweaty face and coo comfortin’ words. “Everything will be okay.”
I watch as Samantha Marie uses the turkey baster to suction the baby’s nose and mouth. I listen for a cry but none comes. My heart beats faster from fear. “You’re doin’ great, Mia.”
Samantha Marie sets the turkey baster down and reaches for a clean towel. She opens it and holds it with both hands. “Mia, I want you to push slowly. You need to push the baby the rest of the way out.”
Mia nods.
I hear the front screen door open and heavy footsteps comin’ up the stairs. Next, I hear sirens and more activity downstairs.
“Okay, push,” my sister says in a soothin’ voice.
Mia does. Mia holds my hand and we both watch as my sister delivers her baby. Mia and Levi’s baby. Abel Lee’s niece or nephew. We wait for a cry as she dries off the baby vigorously. Still no cries. I can sense someone standin’ in the bedroom doorway, but I can’t look. I can’t look away from this moment. My eyes fill up with tears. Not happy tears, and not sad tears. Just tears waitin’ for an emotion to come. I wait for a cry. I wait for news, any news. Please be healthy, please breathe, please be okay. I think these words over and over to myself.
Mia and I wait for the baby to cry or for some kind of life to come from the infant, but nothin’. My sister looks serious and doesn’t say anything as she turns the baby over and rubs the backside with the towel. After what feels like a lifetime, the baby cries. Samantha Marie says, “Congratulations, it’s a boy.” My sister smiles as she lays the now pink baby wrapped in a white towel on top of Mia’s chest. Mia eagerly reaches for the baby as she cries. I try to look but the tears are obstructin’ my view. I can’t see. I look in the doorway, but I can’t see who’s standin’ there.
“Hi, my sweet little baby,” Mia coos. I wipe away the tears and look. He’s beautiful, he’s pink, and he’s cryin’. I watch and listen as Mia talks softly to her newborn son. A son, her little boy.
I come out of my stupor and say, “I need to call Levi.” I stand, wipe the tears from my eyes, and see a roomful of people. I see Abel Lee, a gurney, and two EMS workers talkin’ to Samantha Marie, and then I see Levi come rushin’ into the room to be by Mia’s side. I watch as the EMS worker sits where my sister was sittin’ on the stool at the end of the bed. Levi dotes over his son and Mia. He bends down and kisses Mia as he places a large protective hand over his baby. The EMS workers tie off the umbilical cord and deliver the placenta as my sister stands back and observes.
I walk towards Abel Lee, out of the way of the action, and I say, “He’s beautiful.”
I lean into Abel Lee, my back to his front. He envelopes his arms around me. We watch as they access Mia and the baby. It’s magical. The birth of a baby. The gift of life. Even under these circumstances, it’s nothin’ less than a miracle.
Levi holds the baby as they put Mia on the gurney. Once they have Mia downstairs, they place the baby back on her chest. He cries, and she speaks softly to him so only he can hear. It’s personal and private. I should look away, but I can’t.
“We’re taking Mom and baby to Zanesville. If you want to follow behind the ambulance, have your flashers on at all times.”
“You ready?” Abel Lee asks.
I smile. “I am.”
“C’mon, let’s go before they leave us.”
Levi
I ride in the ambulance, never talkin’ my eyes off of my wife or my perfect son. I watch as he watches her while lying on her chest. She talks softly to him and I can hear every word she says. She’s promisin’ to be the best mom she can be. She’s promisin’ to always love him and put him first. She’s promisin’ to always protect him and keep him safe.
He listens and watches. I’m not sure what kind of vision newborns have, but I swear he can see her. I swear he knows that’s his momma. Mia used to always talk to him while he was in utero. She read a book that said the baby will know your voice at birth. It must be true.
Mia looks up at me and smiles. I love her, and I love my son. He’s healthy. He’s alive.
Suddenly his problems come crashing into me. Her abnormal blood levels. He might have Down syndrome. He might not live. He may have seizures and other long-term health problems. I look at my son, but this time I’m tryin’ to see if he resembles a Down syndrome baby. Flat features and small ears. He doesn’t. Maybe it doesn’t show up right away. Maybe it takes a few days for the features to form. Maybe he doesn’t have it at all. Maybe the abnormal labs were caused from somethin’ else. Maybe I’m in denial.
I close my eyes and pray. If Mia sees me, she’ll be able to tell what I’m thinkin’. She’ll know I’m worried. She’ll be able to see my fears. Why doesn’t my baby cry? Every book I ever read talks about cryin’ babies. I pray he’s healthy. I pray that the tests were wrong. I pray that everything will be okay.
When I open my eyes, Mia is still talkin’ to our son. She’s tellin’ him he’s the most perfect baby she has ever seen. She tells hi
m about the wonderful life we have planned for him and about the people who already love him. No wonder my son isn’t cryin’. He has a great life already and he’s less than an hour old. Everything she says is the truth and yet it sounds like a fairytale.
I immediately realize that if my son has Down syndrome, it isn’t goin’ to define my son. We won’t let it. If he has it, it’ll be a part of who my son is. Down syndrome isn’t goin’ to own him or us. It’ll be a part of him. We’ll deal with it. We’ll live with it. Havin’ a son with Down syndrome isn’t the end of the life that Mia and I planned together. We can still have all those things Mia’s promisin’ him. I’m an idiot to think that it could be the end of our perfect life. Mia kept tellin’ me that it’ll all work out. I should have been listenin’ to my wife all this time. As I look at my son, I realize that a baby is God’s way of tellin’ us that we have a reason to live. And for the first time in my life, nepotism makes perfect sense.
We get to the hospital and I exit the ambulance first. Momma and Pops are standin’ close on my right side, and Abel Lee, Savannah Mae, and her sister are standin’ on my left. We watch as they wheel my son and Mia out of the ambulance.
“He’s perfect,” someone murmurs about my son. I think to myself, Yes, he is.
Mia
By the grace of God, Savannah Mae showed up when she did. I lay on the bed in so much pain. I envisioned givin’ birth alone. So many thoughts were runnin’ through my head. It was like a movie playin’ my life and everything bad that could happen, I could see happen. I shudder at the images I saw.
Thank God, things didn’t end up the way I envisioned them. Savannah Mae came and she was my rock. I was never so glad to see someone in my entire life. The birth of my precious son is something I will never forget.
I can never thank Savannah Mae or her sister enough for what they did. They may have saved my son’s life. Levi and I owe them everything.
I look at my perfect, handsome baby. He looks just like Levi. Dark curly hair, high cheekbones, and perfectly shaped nose and ears. He couldn’t be any more perfect. I talk calmly to him, not showin’ the fear that fills my insides. Everything that could have gone wrong still haunts me. I tell him the plans we have for him. I tell him about how much his daddy and I love him. The more I talk, the more he listens. My son doesn’t cry, but he watches and I swear I think he knows me.
I’m calm because he’s so amazin’. I was so afraid of motherhood, but now I have no idea why. Motherhood is about love and wantin’ to protect. Those instincts kicked in the minute I held him in my arms. That’s a lie, they kicked in the moment I found out I was pregnant. I swear on my life, I will protect him and love him until I take my last breath. He’s perfect. I can’t imagine him bein’ any more perfect.
I hold my son tightly as they wheel us into the hospital. Levi runs along keepin’ up with us. He smiles as I sing softly to our son. I don’t know what I’m singin’ but my voice soothes him. I’ll sing to him every minute of everyday if that’s what he wants.
We are taken into a sterile room. Cold metal and white walls. I’m cold. People in gowns and masks surround us. I want Levi. Where’s Levi? I didn’t notice that he didn’t come in with us. Finally, I see my doctor and the baby’s pediatrician.
“The little one was in a hurry, I see.”
I smile. I love my doctor. “He was.”
“I need to check you, and your pediatrician wants to check the baby.”
I nod. “Where’s Levi?”
“He’s getting gowned up. He’ll be just a few more minutes.”
I watch as the doctor takes the baby to the corner of the room. My son cries. This must be a delivery room. I watch as they place him on a set of scales. Someone covers me with a very warm blanket, and I’m grateful. My teeth stop chatterin’. It must be from the blood loss. Levi walks in and I start to cry. Why am I cryin’? All of this is so overwhelmin’. The what ifs come crashin’ into me. What if I was alone? What if no one came to help me? What if my son needed medical attention?
Levi hugs me and soothes me. He speaks softly and sweetly. We continue to watch the baby as they examine him. I don’t notice my doctor or what he’s doin’ to me. I just care about our son. My doctor tells me I tore during delivery and will need a couple stitches. I don’t care. What about my baby?
Abel Lee
We wait in the waiting room of the hospital for news, any news. Momma is making coffee and we all listen to Savannah Mae talk about the delivery. She tells us what her sister did for Mia. Pops and Momma hug them both and thank them. Samantha Marie says it’s no big deal. But it is a big deal. What they both did is a big deal. They were there when no one else was.
I watched in the doorway as Mia gave birth to my nephew. I couldn’t go in. I couldn’t move. Savannah Mae was loving, tender, and attentive to Mia. Her sister was professional, calm, and amazing. I have never witnessed a birth before, not unless a horse or a cow counts. It was incredible.
“How did you guys get here so fast?” I ask Pops.
“We were in Zanesville when we got the call about Mia. Nelly wanted to race to be with Mia, but I convinced her to wait at the hospital instead. Once she thought about it, she knew that the ambulance would be there before we would.”
“It all worked out.”
When Samantha Marie stands and walks to the coffee pot, I follow.
“Thank you,” I say as I pour her a cup of coffee. “I can’t thank you enough for what you did.”
She takes the cup from me and says, “Abel Lee, I really didn’t do anything. The baby practically birthed himself.”
I laugh. “I highly doubt that. You were amazing and any place that hires you will be lucky to have you.”
“Thank you, but I have to pass my state boards first.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. I don’t think that’ll be a problem.” The door opens and we all watch, hoping it’s Levi. One of the EMS workers who helped Mia pokes his head into the room. He smiles when he sees Samantha Marie.
I say, “I think he’s looking for you.”
“I’ll be right back.”
She walks out of the room smiling. She looks so much like Savannah Mae that I don’t blame the guy for being smitten with her. She has looks and brains. Competence is a major turn-on.
I smile at Savannah Mae and walk over to wait for the news of my nephew with her and my parents.
“What’s that about?” Savannah Mae whispers.
“I think someone likes your sister.”
“No.” She thinks for a minute and says, “Really?”
“I think so, yes.”
When Samantha Marie comes back into the room, her face is red and she’s still smiling. She sits down quietly beside her sister.
“Well, what was that about?”
“Nothin’.”
“Don’t give me that.”
She looks around and whispers, “He asked me out and gave me this job application.” She grins as she waves a piece of paper around. “He’s in charge, and he says that I will certainly get the job.”
I look away. I knew it. She brought life into this world, got a date, and got a job all in the same day. This girl is amazing. I’m glad to see that someone is smart enough to know a good thing when he sees it.
The door opens again and we all expect to see the EMS guy again. When Levi walks through the door, we all stand. He smiles and it’s a good sign.
He says, “They’re both doin’ fine.”
Momma cries and hugs Pops. Savannah Mae and her sister squeal, and I walk over and hug my brother.
“Congratulations, I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
Momma and Pops hug Levi, and then Savannah Mae and her sister hug him next. He thanks them and gets choked up. “I don’t know what would have happened if you both weren’t there. I honestly can’t thank you both enough.” He wipes away a tear and swallows hard.
Savannah Mae touches his arm softly and says, “We’re just
glad we could help.”
Momma takes a cautious step forward. “How is he, Levi?” She asks the question we all want to know the answer to, without actually saying the words.
“God, Momma, he’s perfect. He weights 6lbs, 12oz and is 20 inches long. He’s amazin’. They are runnin’ tests on him now.”
“Can we see them?”
“Sure, come back and meet your grandson. Mia wants to see you all.”
We take turns holding the baby and visiting with Mia. Levi is attentive to Mia and keeps a close eyes on the baby. Momma unwraps the baby and counts each of his toes. She smiles and laughs as she attends to her new grandson. We take a few pictures before heading home for the night.
On the ride home, we all talk excitedly about the new addition to our family. We don’t talk about Down syndrome or what it could mean if he has it. We know there is a possibility, but we are still hoping for the best.
I drop off Samantha Marie first. Savannah Mae is quiet on the short drive home. I leave her to her thoughts. I can imagine the things going on in her head. She assisted in the birth of a baby without any medical equipment or a doctor. Okay, maybe I can’t imagine her thoughts. I would have freaked out. I couldn’t have done it.
We both shower before bed. She cuddles into me and I hold her tightly.
“I have a confession,” she whispers.
A thousand things run through my head of what she could have to confess, and I don’t like any of them. I don’t move. “I’m listening.”
“I don’t know what I would’ve done if my sister didn’t come to Mia’s house today.”
Whew. Not what I thought she was going to say, and I’m relieved by her confession.
“You were frightened?” I still don’t move.
She looks up at me, and now I move. I reposition myself on my side and watch her. Her eyes are teary.
“I was more than frightened, I was scared to death. I had no idea what to do. My sister came in and took over. She delivered a baby, your nephew.” She smiles as she remembers. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of her.”
I stroke her pale cheek lightly.
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