Page 43 of Dare to Live
Over the last few months, I couldn’t wait for this moment. I couldn’t wait to see Lacey giving birth to our babies. But as I stood next to my wife, who was beet red, in pain, and looked as though she were about to pass out, all I wanted to do was comfort her.
We’d learned what to expect in the delivery room. I’d read books on giving birth. Lacey and I had both tried to be as prepared as possible. But honestly, I couldn’t remember a fucking thing I’d read or learned. All I knew was that I wanted to take away Lacey’s pain. If I could, I would switch places with her in a heartbeat. I would gladly take on the burden of giving birth if I could.
I hated feeling helpless. So I moved her hair off her sweaty forehead in an attempt to soothe her.
But she growled then swatted at me. “Don’t touch me.”
My eyebrows shot into my hairline.
Becca shrugged like my wife’s reaction was no big deal. “It’s normal.”
Fuck if it was normal in my world.
“Maybe you should watch the babies being born,” Becca said. “I got Lacey.”
Granted, Becca had always been there for Lacey in tough times, but I didn’t want her to have Lacey. I wanted to be the one to help my wife.
“Don’t you want to see them come out?” Lacey asked through clenched teeth.
I had planned to watch the entire process, but I didn’t want to leave Lacey’s side.
“I see the head of one,” Dr. Livingston said. “I want you to bear down as hard as you can, Lacey, and push now.”
Lacey took in a deep breath and grunted so loud that the entire hospital had to have heard her.
A chill skated up my spine as anticipation took hold of me like a vise. My heart was still ramming against my ribs. I swore when all this was over, I would have bruised or cracked ribs.
Holding my breath, I watched in quiet fascination as my wife put every ounce of her energy into delivering baby number one.
Before I knew what was happening, a baby cried as Lacey flopped backward, out of breath and looking completely exhausted.
Fuck.She still had two more to deliver, which was the main reason I was going into freak-out mode. Something told me she wouldn’t make it through baby number two.
One of the nurses took the baby over to a counter.
Becca wiped a wet cloth over Lacey’s forehead and face.
I smiled at my wife as she tried to regulate her breathing. I was just about to say “you’re doing great” or something to soothe her when she moaned.
“More contractions,” she said in a cracked and tired voice.
Sweat began to bead on my neck. I didn’t think I could watch her go through another round of pain. This whole process was gutting me.
As if Dr. Livingston could read my mind, she said, “Kade, stand next to me. You should see your babies being born.”
Another nurse who was waiting idly came to my side. “Go. I’ll take over from here.”
Maybe it was best I didn’t help Lacey. Then again, I hadn’t been much help so far. I should let the medical professionals do their job anyway.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I’d left my parents a message that Lacey was in labor. I was sure either Mom or Dad was trying to get ahold of me, but I didn’t want to miss baby number two being born.
Dr. Livingston examined Lacey.
Becca gave Lacey some water.
The brunette nurse who had taken my spot stared at the monitor.
I didn’t know how much time to expect in between births. We’d learned that with vaginal delivery, it could be minutes or hours before baby number two and three were born. But with the pain on Lacey’s face, I didn’t think she would be in labor for very long.
