Page 41 of Jaded Red

“Ain’t that the truth.” I tease.

A few hours later and several small contractions, I’m wiped out when a sharp contraction takes my breath away. “Doc, it feels like I have to push,” I say through gritted teeth.

Amber throws on a pair of gloves and lifts the sheet. “Yup. Ok, Nadia. It’s time. On the next contraction, I want you to push with everything you have.”

When the pain starts again, I push with everything I have in me. When it stops, I sit back trying to catch my breath. “Good. Good. Do it again.” I push on the next one and pressure builds up below my waist. “Keep going, Nadia. Don’t quit. He’s almost here.”

I sit up and squeeze Matt and Kensi’s hands while I bare down and push. I’m beyond exhausted and ready to throw in thetowel when the pressure releases and I collapse back onto the bed. A nurse takes the baby out of the doctor’s arms and takes him over to an incubator. I watch as she cleans his mouth and nose.

“He’s not crying. Why isn’t he crying?” I ask panic bubbling to the surface. Just then a loud wail pierces through the hospital room and I lay back, relief filling my body. “Thank goodness.”

“Ok, Nadia, I need you to push one more time and then we’ll be done.” Doctor Amber says from her spot between my knees. I push hard again and more pressure releases from my abdomen. “Good. Ok, we’re done.”

My body starts to tremble and spots fill my vision. I reach for Matt, but my hand barely grazes his. He’s watching the nurses and doctors clean up our baby. I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out. The monitors hooked up to my heart and blood pressure start beeping wildly and I’m paralyzed. I can’t move before blackness pulls me under.

Chapter Eighteen

Red

“Matt.” I hear a slight whisper of my name and I pull my eyes from our son to Nadia. The beeping of the monitors screeches out as Nadia’s hand goes limp in mine.

“Doc, somethings wrong!” I shout, trying to shake Nadia.

“Move!” Amber shoves me out of the way and drops Nadia’s bed. “She’s going into shock. Get these two out of here!”

Kensi and I are shoved out of the room and the door slams shut before we even know what’s happening. Bells and whistles are loud and nurses are running toward us. I step aside and pull Kensi with me before someone runs her over.

“What’s happening, Red?” Kensi asks. Aftermath, Capone and Blayze come charging down the hallway, trying to figure out what’s happening.

“I don’t know, Kensi.” I run my hands through my hair and I do something I haven’t done in a long time. I drop to my knees and I pray to God he doesn’t take Nadia or my son away from me. I don’t get up off the floor even after Aftermath pulls Kensi away. I don’t take my eyes off the door my Ol’ Lady and son are behind. I don’t stop praying and hope they’ll be ok.

Doctor Amber comes out of the room a little while later, removing her mask. “Matt?”

I stand up quickly and Capone is right by my side, giving me the support I need. “How is she?”

“Her body went into shock and she started hemorrhaging. She is stable and we’re taking her upstairs to perform a D and C.”

“Can I see her?”

“For a moment. We have her sedated for surgery.”

Doctor Amber leads me into the room and I hurry to Nadia’s bedside. I grab her hand tightly and look across the room at our son. The first thing I notice is his hair. It’s not fiery red like mine, but a softer red with hints of blonde. A mixture of both of us. He’s in a big tube-like bed with a tube inserted in his nose., alert and looking around. He’s so tiny compared to all the things they have him hooked up to.

“Pulchra,” I push Nadia’s blonde hair off her forehead and lean over and kiss her on the head. “I’m here. Our son is here. Please fight with everything you have.” Tears roll down my face and I don’t care who sees. “We need you, Nadia. I can’t do this alone.” I press my lips to Nadia’s cheek. “I love you until the end of time.”

“We need to get her upstairs and into surgery, Matt.” Doctor Amber informs me.

I wipe the tears rolling down my cheeks and look at the doctor. “Can I walk with you?”

She nods her head and I stand up, not letting go of Nadia’s hand. “We will be taking the little guy to the NICU once we get Nadia out of the room. It’s right down the hallway.” The nurses come in and wheel Nadia out. I’m torn between being there to move my son and keeping Nadia in my sight for as long as I can.

“Go with her Red. We’ve got the newest little Bastard.” Capone nods, taking the decision away from me.

“Keep a close eye on him until I can come back, please.” I plead.

“We’ll guard him like he’s our own son. He’s a Royal Bastard. Go, we’ve got this.” Capone answers.

“Thank you, Prez.” I still have a hold of Nadia’s hand as we wheel her into the elevator and it begins its ascent. I lean over and kiss her on the forehead again. “Keep fighting, Pulchra. I’m right here with you the whole time.”

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