Page 78 of Bound

As the hospital came into view, Porter hit the gas hard. The car jerked forward, throwing me back in the seat as he yanked the wheel and the tires screeched as we flew through the parking lot.

He whips the wheel and we tear through the ambulance port. Slamming on the brakes, Porter throws the car into park, and jumps out of the front seat. Wiping the hair out of my face, I expect to see him at my side, opening the door.

Instead, Porter is running through the double doors, his arms in the air, yelling like he had a bee in his pants.

Oh my god. . .Pressing my palm to my forehead, I closed my eyes and shook my head to myself.

A nurse ran to his side, and I watched as she tried to calm him down. She was trying to figure out what he was saying, searching him for injuries and listening intently.

Porter drops his palms to his knees, finally pointing to the door. He looked back over his shoulder, and I could see him mouth the words, 'baby'.

The nurse called out something to others in the room, and she instantly started to move towards the doors. Another nurse darted up behind her with a wheelchair, and they quickly came out the door.

Pushing my door open, I started to twist in the seat. The first nurse out the door dipped down and grabbed me at the elbow.

“Hey, I hear we're having a baby tonight?” She helped me out of the car, and into the wheelchair. “How's ya feeling right now, Mom?”

“I'm alright, I'm sorry for my husband, he was calm right until we got—” Another contraction locks my muscles and tightens around my core. “Ah!” I yell out, hissing through my teeth.

“Alright, relax, remember, breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth. Don't worry, we'll take good care of you.”

“Emery, you alright? Is it another one?” Porter asked. I didn't even see him come up, I was too focused on the pain that was taking me hostage.

Nodding, I'm did my best to slow my breathing. “What the hell happened? You were doing so good. What made you freak suddenly?” I asked as I reached up and took his hand.

“I don't know, I just lost it.”

“Alright, let's get you to upstairs to the maternity ward.” The nurse pushed the chair into the hospital, and called out to my husband. “I just need you to move your car, then come on up to the third floor.”

Porter nodded yes, climbing into the front seat and pulling away. The nurse leaned into my ear, and whispered. “Don't worry, we'll keep him under control.” She giggled, giving my shoulder a rub.

She pushed me through the halls, and into a dimly lit room. Helping me out of the chair and into the bed, she hooked me up to all the monitors. The room was quiet, calm, and I instantly had a sense of relief.

I was trying to deny the reality of what was happening. The baby was coming, I couldn't ignore it anymore. It's a fearful thought. Everything was about to change in the blink of an eye.

For nine months I've held this small being in my body, feeling it move. The small feet as they would kick me, the tiny hands that would stretch out, hiccups. And now I was about to meet this life we created.

“Where? Which one?” I heard Porter's voice in the hall, frantic and crazed.

Suddenly, he bolted through the door, sweat pouring down his face, eyes wild and panicked. He stopped short, his feet skidding across the smooth tiles.

“Emery, are you alright? You didn't have the baby yet, did you?” His eyes scanned the room.

“No, Porter, it takes a bit longer than thirty seconds.” I felt a pinch in my arm as the nurse slipped the needle under my skin. “What's that?” I asked.

“This is for fluids, or medicine if you need it.” She smiled, and glanced between us. “I'm going to grab the doctor, I'll be right back.”

For three hours Porter paced the room. He would come to my side and rub my head or stroke my arms during each contraction. The pain was getting more and more intense. It felt like my insides were being carved out, it's like no pain I had ever felt before.

“You're ready, you're fully dilated,” the doctor said, popping up from the edge of the hospital bed. “You ready to have this baby?”

I smiled, and I'm pretty sure Porter just began to sweat even harder. He was dripping, the collar of his shirt was darkened and his chest was soaked.

Taking his hand, I ran my thumb over the nub on his wrist, and forced him to look at me. “You ready?” I asked, giving him a tender smile.

He squeezed my hand back, and smiled weakly. “No, but I don't think it's up to me.” He chuckled nervously, and kissed my forehead.

“Time to push,” the doctor said, dropping back down so all I could see was the top of his head.

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