Page 76 of Lost Lyrics

“Yes.” Loretta nodded as she typed notes into the laptop beneath one monitor. “We’ll call Dr. Mila, but I’m not sure she’ll get here in time. She lives about an hour away.”

“No. No. No.” Tia shook her head in short, sharp jerks. “I’ll wait. She has to deliver our baby.”

Loretta placed a hand on Tia’s shoulder and gave it a gentle rub. “Remember, you have to be prepared for anything and do what is best for your child. You may want to wait, but I don’t think your baby does.” A comforting smile flitted across Loretta’s face. “We have other doctors here if needed. You’re in good, safe hands.”

“I know.” Tia winced. “But I want Dr. Mila.”

It wasn’t like Tia to be anxious. But having a baby warranted anything. The panic in Tia’s voice seared my brain. Somehow, I found a thread of inner calm. “Loretta, I can call our doctor if it helps.”

The nurse glanced at the monitors blipping away. Flashing lines and numbers blazed across the screens. There were no alarms going off, so that was a good thing, right?

Loretta nodded at me. “Thank you, but I will. Everything is fine, but the baby is close.”

“Wow.” I drew my shoulders back. “I thought the first babywas supposed to take a long time.”

“So did I.” Furrows grooved Tia’s brow as she pressed and rubbed her tummy.Our little munchkin wants out.“But I won’t complain if this is over with quickly.” She glanced at the nurse. “What about pain relief? An epidural?”

Shit!Tia had wanted to go drug-free. But yeah, I would’ve taken anything that was on offer. I hated that this hurt her.

“You’re too close for an epidural, but you can have gas.” Loretta pointed toward the levers and gas lines at the back of the bed.

“Yep.” Tia flapped her fingers at Loretta. “Give it to me. Now!”

Loretta smiled and nodded as if understanding and hooked up a tube for Tia. She handed Tia the plastic device. “Okay. Gently inhale through this mouthpiece at the beginning of a contraction. Not too much, or you’ll get head spins.”

Tia snatched the tube from the nurse and sucked on the gas. Bliss hit Tia’s face.

Loretta’s eyes glinted, and she patted Tia’s shoulder. “You’re doing fine. When I get back in a couple minutes, we’ll transfer you to a delivery suite. I’ll be quick.” Loretta pushed the laptop trolley clear of the bedside and dashed out the door.

Just as it clicked closed, Tia curled onto her side and wailed. “Ow!” She held her belly.

I dashed around to the other side of the bed and massaged her lower back. “Does this help?”

“Yeah. But I think I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want a baby anymore.”

I chuckled. “Bit late for that. But you got this.”

“Ooooh.” Concentration etched her brow, and she breathed in and out. In and out. In and out. “You reckon? I’ll gladly trade places.”

“I’m no good with pain.” I wasn’t. I was a total wuss. I hatedpaper cuts. There was no way I’d handle labor. Just seeing Tia in pain twisted my insides into knots. “You’re the strong one—not me.”

Five minutes later, Loretta returned and transferred us to a delivery suite.

Withing thirty minutes, Tia’s contractions were down to two minutes apart. Her sweaty hair clung to her face. She puffed through her breathing exercises. Rolled from side to side. Cursed and cried, groaned, and screamed...a lot.

I never left her side, totally blown away by what was happening and the miracle of life. Our baby would come into a loving home, be cared for, adored, and supported, no matter who they grew up to be. They’d never be abused, rejected, or disowned like my parents had done to me.

I wiped Tia’s forehead with an icy-cold cloth. Rubbed and massaged her back. I held her hand. Breathed through the contractions with her. Gave her encouraging words and kisses. But with every minute that passed, I felt more and more useless.

Tia was just fucking amazing. She kept going. Kept finding new grit, strength, and determination.

Thirty minutes later, Loretta examined Tia again. She was fully dilated.

Loretta was about to buzz for a doctor, but the door to our suite swung open and in swept Dr. Mila and another nurse, Pamela. For someone who’d been woken at three o’clock in the morning and made it to the hospital in just under an hour, Dr. Mila looked incredible, as if she were prepared for a normal workday. Neat hair in a bun. Neat scrubs. Neat touch of makeup.Wow! She’s superwoman!

“Well, this is an exciting reason to be woken up for in the wee hours of the morning.” Dr. Mila came over to the bedside. “Hi, Tia. Lewis? You hanging in there?”

“Just.” Smirking, I puffed air through my nose. Tia’sgorgeous green eyes shimmered, and she found a smile for me. As I kissed her clammy hand, a new wave of anxious excitement quivered through my veins, but so did fresh concern for Tia. With the doctor here, the hardest stage for Tia was yet to come...delivering our baby.

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