Page 71 of Resolution
Dr. Allison does a thorough exam of Samantha. I try to wait patiently, anxious to hear what she has to say about Sam’s progress.
When she’s done, she explains, “Since you’re at 35 and a half weeks, we’re going to wait another hour or so to see if you go into labor naturally. We will induce you if they don’t get things started on their own. Either way, you will be having these babies within the next twenty-four hours.” She takes a step to the side toward a fetal monitor and pulls out the wand. She quickly does an ultrasound and we can still see two babies moving around. “Good. Things look good. I’d suggest you rest while you can. As you’re only dilated to a three, we may have a long road ahead of us, and in this particular case at the moment, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I’ll be back in a bit to check on you.”
With that, she leaves the room, and Samantha and I are left alone. She couldn’t look more beautiful. I reach in and kiss her tenderly. I love this woman more than life itself.
When our kiss breaks, she whispers, “I’m so glad you’re here. It’s been a hell of a day waiting to know if you’re all right.” Her eyes well up and I can tell she’s about to break down into tears.
“Shhh…” I kiss her lips lightly. “I’m here now. That’s all that matters.” I kiss her once again and the love she has for me is felt throughout my body.
“I love you, Enzo,” she whispers as I pull away.
“Love you, too, beautiful,” I whisper.
There’s a knock at the door and the nurse comes to check her vitals. I take this opportunity to go out to my parents in the waiting room and invite them into the room to wait a while.
My mother hugs me tight upon my arrival to the waiting room. “Oh, Enzo. I love you so much. You gave us all such a scare.”
Pops joins us in a hug and adds, “Sure glad you’re here.”
“Sorry, Ma. I wasn’t really in any danger. Plans just changed and I had to adapt. I’m so relieved I made it back before you all had to come here.” I look to each of them. “Thank you so much for being here for Samantha.”
“We would do that for any of our children,” Ma sates, but holds my gaze as if I should know better than to say something like that.
“I know. But I want you to know how much it means to me for you to be there for Samantha. I know you love her, too. But to me, it meant the world walking in the room tonight and seeing you already there.”
“Anytime, Enzo. Anytime.” Pops claps me on the shoulder. “Let’s go see how Samantha’s doing.”
Not even thirty minutes later, Samantha nearly squeezes my hand off.Holy shit, the woman has more strength than I could’ve imagined.Apparently, she’d been in labor and mistook her back pain as simple discomfort. Now she claims there’s no guessing. These babies are on their way.
Before I know it, the doctor comes in and says she’s dilated to a six. I feel completely helpless as she has contraction after contraction. I do my best do give her whatever she needs, even if it means I will never feel my fingers in my left hand again.
Since childbirth is the only time Samantha insists she’s saying yes to drugs, a team of people soon arrive to give her an epidural. Though I want to freak out when I see the size of the needle they place into Samantha’s spine, I may have to kiss the anesthesiologist because he takes the pain away from her quickly.
By the time they leave, Samantha is back to her beautiful self. She’s laughing, joking, and in good spirits, considering the amount of pain she endured. We visit with Ma and Pops and I assure everyone I wasn’t in any serious danger. I also take this time to call the kids and let them know their brother and sister are on their way. Samantha’s parents decide they’ll return tomorrow, instead of waiting the rest of the week because they can’t wait to meet their new grandchildren.
I’m surprised when Dr. Allison comes in about an hour later and asks, “Okay, Mom. Are you ready to have these babies?”
“Is it time?” Samantha asks in disbelief. “This epidural’s a miracle maker because I haven’t felt anything.”
Ma and Pops excuse themselves before things go any further.
Dr. Allison helps Samantha settle at the end of the bed and lifts the blanket covering her legs. “Yep. I’d say you’re about ready.”
Words cannot express my admiration for Samantha as she spends the next hour pushing with all her might. Yes, there are plenty of disgruntled curses being sworn under her breath, and her filter’s off the charts for comments, but as usual, I give her a free pass. I love knowing what she’s thinking. It’s the best part of her. There even comes a time when she thinks she can’t push any more. If I had to push a watermelon out of a lemon hole, I’d probably feel the same. But somehow, she manages to keep going.
Nothing can describe the birth of our daughter when she arrives at eleven forty-three that evening. It’s a mixture of awe, wonder, and a bit of disgust when her slime-covered body finally decides to make an appearance. The scream that comes from the tiniest body I’ve ever seen makes me think she’d rather have stayed inside. I’m offered to cut the cord, which is the craziest thing I’ve done yet, then a nurse quickly cleans her up and offers to let either Sam or I hold her.
I’m suddenly overwhelmed with emotions as I take in the beauty of my daughter. She’s absolutely perfect. Her skinny little hands and feet move excitedly as she enters Samantha’s arms. My eyes fill with water as I bend to kiss her lightly. Life can’t get any more perfect than this.
I’m taken aback when her expressive green eyes meet mine. She may only be minutes old, but the look she gives me melts my heart instantly. She looks as if she holds all the secrets of the world with her pensiveness as she checks out the room around her.
“She’s so tiny,” Samantha whispers and our daughter reaches out to touch her face.
“She’s beautiful,” comes out in almost a croak. Clearing my throat, I continue, “I love you both so much.”
“We love you, too,” Samantha whispers, then groans in a sound of discomfort.
“Hey, guys, let the nurses examine that bundle of joy. Baby number two’s roaring to get out of here.”
