Page 131 of Rival
Turning her head to face him, she gives him a watery smile. “Thank you. I think that’s really good right now, if you don’t mind. When the contraction hits, it’s like this really low pressure but it’s wrapping around to my back.”
“Then I’ll stay right here.” Lifting his hands away from her briefly, he wiggles his fingers. “These things can go all night and into tomorrow if you need them to.”
Huffing out a laugh, she turns away and lets her head fall to the flat, pathetic pillow the hospital provided. “Let’s hope it’s notthatlong. I might die if I have to do this for hours.”
My heart stops beating for a moment, then plummets to my stomach. “There’s no talkin’ like that. Not tonight, you hear me, girl?”
Humming, she smiles sleepily. “I didn’t mean it literally.” She pats my hand as if to sootheme, and I bite my tongue to prevent more of my lecture from slipping out.
“Got a huge cup of ice. The nurses said no actual water just in case, so this is what we’ve got. You want a bit, darlin’?”
She tries to move as if she’s going to sit up, but he stops her with a hand on her thigh. “Stay there, just pop open that mouth and I’ll set a few pieces on your tongue.”
Rolling my eyes at his smirk, I let him move in next to me to deliver the much-appreciated ice. She sighs as she chews on it, even asking for a few more. We work our way through another four contractions before a nurse finally shows to set her up with an IV in the back of her left hand.
I wanted to tackle her when Edith whimpered from how uncomfortable it felt, and I would have if she didn’t have a death grip on me, keeping me right next to her.
If I could take this all away from her, I would. Frankly, I’m a bit pissed at all of us for even getting her in this predicament in the first place. Who the hell decidedsheshould be the only one to suffer through childbirth when all of us were equal participants in the creation of the tiny little girl snuggled inside of her for only a bit longer?
Leaning down, I kiss her head and whisper, “Sorry we did this to you.”
Her fingers tap me, forgiving me immediately, and it only makes me feel worse. Another contraction rolls in, but this one is different from all the previous ones.
Gasping, she tries to roll over further and climb to her knees, rocking back and forth. “It… It feels l-like sh-she’s going to c-come out!” It takes effort for her to get the words out, and Griffin is back at my side, staring down at her as his face pales.
“Darlin’, would you like me to slip in behind you? Maybe sitting up a bit will help take some pressure off.”
She nods quickly, her teeth bared as both Jaxon and I help her lean forward as Griffin kicks his boots off and scrambles onto the bed. With a sigh, Edith leans back against him, the contraction passing once more.
“There’s still so much pressure. It’s not going away like before.” All of us reach to her stomach in an attempt to rub away the ache, then start laughing when she giggles at us. “I think we should push the button. It feels like she’s—”
Another wave hits her, and she jerks her head back, slamming it against Griffin’s chest.
“She barely had a minute to breathe!” I complain to Jaxon who’s already pressing the button over and over again, then leaves her side to run to the door.
Edith stretches out for him but pulls her hand back right away. He missed the way she reached for him, and I know, even if she doesn’t realize it yet, she’s forgiven him.
“You ready for this, darlin’?” Griffin asks her, running his hands over her arms and squeezing her shoulders lightly.
She looks at me, pleading to make the pain stop, and I can only give her a supportive smile. I feel helpless, unable to unburden her from what’s going to happen. “I’m so fuckin’ proud of you, girl.” Kissing her tear-stained cheek, then her swollen lips where she’d been chewing on them. “Youwillbe amazin’, and I’ve never met someone stronger than you.”
Her eyes are watering as she sobs, hurting so badly from the baby working her way down.
I haven’t said it before, but I know right now is when Ineedto tell her. Cupping her cheek, I make her focus on me and whisper against her mouth. “I love you, Edith. And I’ll love that little one in there as well. Now, let me meet her so I can tell her the same.”
“Smooth,” Griffin teases, but it’s without any heat. He winks at me as Dr. Willet and a few nurses follow into the room. They all wash their hands as soon as they’re in, and the doctor sits on a stool, wheeling herself to the foot of the bed.
“Alright, honey. I’m going to check you real fast, but I’m certain we’re ready to give our girl a few good pushes.” I appreciate that she’s more serious this time, and I’m starting to actually enjoy her bedside manner. Edith seems to calm the moment she starts talking things through with her, monitoring another few contractions that come and go.
“Boys, if Edith is comfortable with the position, I’d like for you each to help support a leg. She’s going to need to push hard, so having you both help her brace as someone to push against will be a massive help. Don’t pull her legs back, just support them and allow her body to do what it needs to.”
Both Jaxon and I shift slightly down the bed and pick up her legs as Edith cries out, grasping for our hands to stop us. “I-I’m not ready! Can w-w-we just wait a b-bit longer?”
God, I want to fucking fall apart, listening to her fearfully plead with us to stop, but I know it’s not possible. Dr. Willet stands up and draws her attention.
“I’ve delivered hundreds of babies and it’s scary for every single woman, no matter how many they’ve had. I swear to you, Edith. You. Will. Be. Fine. We’ve got you. Listen to your body and I want you to push when you feel the next contraction build. It’ll feel like you need to poop, which I know sounds gross, but don’t worry about that. Those are the muscles I need you to use. She’s right there. I can practically see her head. You’re incredible. Let’s meet your little girl.”
Mouthing, “Thank you,” to the doctor, she winks at me as she sits back down. We wait for only a minute or two, then Edith is panting as another contraction comes.
