Page 7 of Painless
“Fuck what that big man-child wants,” Noelle growled.
“I’ll get you on birth control right after this one arrives,” I promised.
“He won’t like that,” Tessa frowned.
“Noelle’s right, though.” I moved the stethoscope over her belly in search of the little shit-kicker’s heartbeat. “It’s your body. He doesn’t get a say.”
“Thank you,” Noelle huffed. “Finally someone is making sense.”
I finally found the heartbeat, and frowned to myself. It seemed high.
“Is something wrong?” Tessa’s eyes widened with worry.
“No, just…” I pulled the eartips out and let them hang around my neck. “He’s in a weird position. I’m going to put some pressure on you, okay?”
The moment I pressed on her with my hands, I felt, and saw, the kicks and movements going on inside her.
“Oh fuck, here he goes again,” Tessa moaned.
Noelle moved in to sit on her other side, rubbing her back. “Breathe, honey.”
I gently pressed lower, down near Tessa’s pubic bone, and felt the unmistakable shape of a foot. It was just as I feared.
“Tess.” I tried not to sound grave. “The baby is in a breech position. His feet are down here and his head’s up in your ribs.”
“That’s not good, is it?” She flinched at another kick.
“It’s not ideal,” I said carefully. “Breech deliveries are a bit riskier, but they can still be done. I think we should try to turn him around before you’re due, to be safest.”
“He’s moving so much, though,” she groaned, pressing a hand to her side.
“I know. It’s possible he’ll get into the right position on his own. Or if we are able to turn him, he’ll flip right back around to a breech position.”
“Stubborn ass.” Noelle rubbed Tess’s belly affectionately. “Why you gotta make it so hard for your mama, huh?”
“I say we give it another week.” I placed the stethoscope eartips back in my ears and took out my blood pressure cuff. “If he doesn’t flip back around, we’ll start trying to turn him.”
Tessa eyed me hard. “And if that doesn’t work?”
“Then he’s coming into the world feet first.” I patted the hand on her side before wrapping my cuff around her bicep. “You’ve had a healthy pregnancy, so I’m not too concerned. I won’t let anything happen to you, mama.”
“Ugh, I want a fucking drink so bad,” Tessa groaned. “Just a shot so this kid can mellow the fuck down.”
Freyja jumped up right then and walked over the mattress toward Tessa. The black kitten sniffed at her swollen belly before rubbing her head against one of the feet pressing on her lower abdomen.
Tessa chuckled. “Well, aren’t you a nice kitty.”
“Aren’t black cats supposed to be bad luck?” Noelle joked.
“I hope this one’s not,” I murmured, watching the blood pressure dial. “She’s been my little shadow ever since I found her.”
Tessa sighed, this time in relaxation as I finished taking her blood pressure and started putting my supplies away. Freyja purred up a storm as she rubbed her face and side against Tessa’s belly.
“Well, your little kitty seems to have calmed the kid down finally,” Tessa breathed. “Even my fucking cramps are hurting less. I’d call that a good luck charm.”
“Good girl, Freyja.” I scratched the kitten’s ears and got a headbutt in return. “I wish I had a treat to give you.”
The black cat stared at me, her green eyes holding an uncanny amount of wisdom. It almost felt humbling, and I knew I just got the first taste of what this animal was capable of.
