Page 63 of Interception

“Unfortunately, baby A is already well on his way. It’s called a precipitous birth.”

“So what does that mean?”

“It means that this little guy is coming out the natural way.”

“And what about baby B?”

“We’ll assess as we go. Many second babies need to be born via C-section because they are not in the correct position, but there are also instances of the second baby engaging just fine.”

“So we could be looking at an emergency C-section for him?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I’ll go and find Faith.” As he moves to leave, I tighten my grip on his hand.

“No. I don’t want you to go.” This has all become scary, and my annoyance with Coop has flipped on a dime. “I need you here with me. I’m scared.”

He leans in, kissing my forehead, the scent of his cologne soothing me if only for a moment. “Then, I’m not going anywhere.”

I turn my attention to the OB. “When are you going to do the epidural?”

“You’re too far along. This baby is coming in the next ten minutes.”

“What?” This can’t be right, I’m supposed to be completely numb when these babies come out of me. If the contractions are this painful, I’m not going to be able to push them out.

“You’re having back-to-back contractions. I just checked, and you are fully dilated. I’ve given you something to take the edge off, but I’m about to start telling you when to push, Zoey.”

“Oh crap. I can’t do this.”

“You can, and you will. Now, when I say ‘push,’ I want you to bear down and push as hard as you can. When I say stop, you stop and use the breathing exercises from birthing class.”

“I didn’t go to the damn classes. You said I was having a C-section.”

“Okay.” She turns to Coop. “You’re going to coach her through this. In between pushes, I want you to breathe with her so she can follow what you’re doing. Two quick breaths in, then a long breath out. And just repeat that pattern.”

“Like this?” Coop does as she asks, and she gives him a nod. “Okay. We can do this.”

“Now, Daddy, I want you to get up on the bed and sit at Zoey’s back. We need her in an almost sitting position.”

He kicks off his shoes and scrambles up behind me, my back now resting against his chest. Holy shit, this is painful. He takes my hands, telling me to squeeze as hard as I need.

“Okay, Zoey. It’s time to push. Take a deep breath…” I breathe in, my whole body shaking. “… and push.”

I squeeze Coop’s hands as I push with everything I have. “Holy shit, that hurts.” He sounds serious. He better not be moaning about a fucking hand squeeze right now.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Suck it up, Coop. I’m pushing the equivalent of a watermelon out of my goddamn vajayjay!”

“Sorry, baby. You’re doing great.” The doctor tells me to stop pushing, but all my body wants to do is push. It’s an overwhelming feeling and almost impossible to stop, but Coop starts doing the breathing she told him about. “Breathe with me, beautiful. Focus on the rise and fall of my chest.”

“I can’t. All I can focus on is the pain. I need to push.”

“He’s right, Zoey. Focus in on his breathing. Mimic it.” How is she so calm right now? After a minute, she starts directing the midwife to get ready and turns her attention back to me. “Okay, another big push for me, Zoey.”

Five minutes of breathing and pushing, and I’m exhausted. I have no strength left. “I can’t do it.”

“Zoey, the baby’s head is right there. One more push, and it’ll be out. You’ve got this. Take a big deep breath and give me all you’ve got. You’re seconds away from meeting your son.”

I brace myself against Coop, trying to channel whatever strength he can give me in this moment. I take a deep breath and push with everything I have. I hear screaming, but it takes a moment to realize it’s coming from me. I feel like I’m on fire, the agony almost overwhelming.

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