Page 130 of Good as Gold
She releases her grip, but her eyes are scared. “I know this was all my idea. But I’m in over my head.” She puts her hands on her belly. “Your sister said I’m not good at asking for what I want, and she’s right. But I asked the universe for something precious, and I’m terrified I won’t stick the landing.”
“Hey.” I lean over and hold her again. “I got you. Think of it like a new trick on the half pipe—seems impossible the first time but then it gets easier.”
“You really think we’re doing thisagainsomeday?” Her eyes fly up to mine.
And I have to laugh. “That will be your call, queen.”
She gives me a little shove and a sheepish smile. And I go off to buy the lady a sandwich.
CHAPTER49
LEILA
The next twenty-four hours are a painful blur. Matteo doesn’t leave my side, but neither of us gets much rest. At first, it’s because we have so much to say to one another. But then my contractions kick in, and the pain is a distraction.
That labor book had said I wouldn’t remember the pain. I’ve got a feeling that’s a lie. By the time the contractions really get going, I’m a miserable, panting mess. And when my water breaks in the wee hours, the pain doubles.
I don’t want to ask for an epidural, because it seems like there are already so many drugs in my body. But, wow, this is intense.
“Breathe,” Matteo says as I push my shoulder into his body, like a lineman in a football game.
When the contraction passes, he hands me a cool cloth for my forehead and waits patiently for the next onslaught.
We both look a little worse for wear. His hair has been pulled back into a ponytail, and his flannel shirt has been shed in favor of a tee.
But he’s still the best-looking sight I’ve ever seen in my life. His brown eyes make a quick assessment of me, and then he offers me the cup of ice chips.
I just hug him instead. “I don’t know if I could do this without you.”
He sets the cup down and clucks into my hair. “You’re doing fine.”
Leddy, my labor nurse, enters the room again. “Let’s check your progress.”
I flop back against the pillow and put my feet into the stirrups. This has already become routine. By this point, I would let anyone look at my vag if I thought it would make the birth progress.
“Nine centimeters! It’s almost time to push.”
“Nine?” I cry. “We’ll be here until Christmas.”
Leddy chuckles. “Nah. Halloween, maybe.” Then she leaves the room.
I close my eyes and grab for Matteo’s hand. “I’ve just made a decision—one kid will be plenty for us.”
“One it is, then,” he says smoothly.
“Maybe I need an epidural,” I whimper.
He starts to pull away. “You want me to go find the doctor?”
I cling to him. “Don’t go anywhere. What time is it?”
“About six a.m.”
“God.” We’ve been here for almost twenty-two hours.
He squeezes my hand. “How about this—if you have the baby by noon, I’ll have to call you queen for a month.”
“And if I can’t?”
