Page 82 of Blackout: Book Two

He’s totally going to hog her.

And I’m going to love every minute of it.

“And there is nothing preventing him from being the best father. You just have to remind yourself of that.”

She’s right.

No longer plagued by a disease he can’t control he’s going to be a terrific father. One who puts his daughter before everything and everyone. There will be no question of sacrificing himself for anyone other than her.

“I think another one is coming,” I grind out as pain tears through me. “They’re happening really quick.”

“Just squeeze my hand and breathe,” my mom says. “This little girl wants to meet her grandma.”

“In case I forget to tell you later, thank you,” I say through the pain. “I couldn’t do any of this without you or daddy. You’re going to be the best grandma.”

Clutching my hand, she smiles at me and sees me through the next contraction.

A little while later the anesthesiologist comes and administers an epidural. My father returns and reveals Reina is still trying to get in touch with someone from the rehab center. As the hours tick by and my labor progresses, I start to fear we won’t be able to reach Blackie in time. In my sick mind, I think about giving up, but life doesn’t work like that. We don’t get to press pause when things don’t go according to plan. Our daughter is getting restless, and she’s determined to make her grand entrance into the world. I tell myself she’s tired of hearing my voice, that she’s ready to look me in the eye and see all the love me and her father have for her. I imagine the sound of her cry and picture kissing her fingers and counting her toes. It’s a beautiful image and somehow, I find the strength I need to continue bringing our miracle to life.

Dr. Heltzer shows up and asks my parents to step out of the room. After examining me he declares I’m ten centimeters, and it’s time for me to push. Everything moves so fast causing me to panic. My parents rejoin me, standing on either side of me as a bassinet is wheeled inside the room.

“Okay, Lace, in a few minutes, I’m going to ask you to push,” Dr. Heltzer says as he rolls between my legs. “Are we ready, Grandma and Grandpa?”

“This isn’t right,” my mom says, lifting her gaze to my dad.

“Connie now’s not the time…”

“Reina,” she murmurs. “She should be here too,” she explains, turning to one of the nurses. “Can you go downstairs and get my daughter’s stepmother?”

“What about Danny?”

“I saw Grace Pastore in the waiting room with her,” my mom reveals, before turning to my dad. “Let’s surround this baby with all the people who love her and have been waiting for her.”

She means well and while I agree, Reina, is just as much a part of this baby’s life as my mom and dad are, her words only serve as another reminder that the person who needs to be here most, doesn’t even know our daughter is about to be born.

Another contraction starts and I cry out in pain.

“Looks, like this baby, isn’t waiting for anyone,” Dr. Heltzer says. “Lacey, we’re going to push now. Mom, Dad, grab a foot.”

“Grab a foot?” my father scoffs. “There are ten thousand people in this hospital and you want me to hold her foot while she gives birth? You people are over-staffed and overpaid.”

“Jack, grab her foot!” my mother orders just as the nurse returns with Reina on her heels. My father breathes a sigh of relief and points to my foot.

“Reina, grab her foot,” he half shouts, half begs.

“I have to push,” I shout as they argue.

“Not yet,” Dr. Heltzer says.

Sweat beads at my forehead as I glare at the man between my legs. Before I can tell him to fuck off, another contraction tears through me. It’s the worst one yet and my whole face distorts with pain as I let out a shrill cry.

“For fuck’s sake, I can’t be in here,” my dad grunts.

Reina pushes him aside and quickly takes his place. He diverts his eyes to the wall behind me and takes my hand. With my dad’s hand in mine and my mother and stepmother each holding a foot, I lift my back from the bed and push for the first time. A scream tears through me and vibrates off the walls.

“Okay, stop,” Dr. Heltzer instructs.

“Oh my God! I see her head,” my mother cries as I drop my head against the bed.

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