Page 111 of Fourteen of a Kind

“Damn, Ella.” Nicholas shook his hand.

“I’m here, sweetheart.” My dad ran into the room.

“Thank God, Dad. She’s trying to kill me.”

“Thank you for being here,” my dad said to him.

“No problem. Anything for my big sister.” Nicholas grinned. “I’ll see you when the baby’s born.”

“Hold on a second. Where do you think you’re going?” my dad sternly asked.

“To the cafeteria to get something. I didn’t get to eat what I ordered because you called and told me to get over here. Besides, laboring women aren’t my thing.”

“You’re not going anywhere. Sit your ass down. Your sister needs you.”

“But you’re here, Dad.”

“She needs more than just me by her side!”

“Okay. Okay. You don’t have to go all psycho on me.”

“Daddy, it hurts.” I cried as I gripped his hand.

“I know, baby girl. It’ll be over with soon. Where’s Georgia?”

“With a patient. She’s coming right over, Dr. Kind,” Kathy said.

“I have to push. I have to push!”

Kathey lifted up the sheet and examined me.

“Uh, Dr. Kind. The baby is coming now,” Kathy said to my dad.

“What?! My husband isn’t here yet, and neither is my doctor!” I shouted.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” my dad said, walking over to the sink and grabbing a pair of gloves. “Kathy, get me a gown, please.”

“Seriously, Dad? You’re delivering Ella’s baby? That’s just weird,” Nicholas said.

“OH MY GOD!” I shouted. “Get it out of me. Please, Daddy. I’m begging you.”

“Son, grab hold of your sister’s hand.”

“Dad, do I?—”

“Do it!” he spoke through gritted teeth.

“I have to push, Dad.” I grabbed hold of my brother’s hand.

My Uncle Christian ran into the room and over to my bedside, grabbing my other hand.

“I see you’re delivering babies now, bro.” He smiled.

“Thinking about changing specialties.” My dad smirked. “Okay, sweetheart, I can see the baby’s head. I want you to push.”

With my Uncle Christian on one side and my brother on the other, they sat me up, and I pushed as hard as I could before falling back onto the bed.

“You got this, Ella,” Uncle Christian said.

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