Page 30 of Captive Bride

"Yes, you can," I countered, my heart wrenching at her words. "Ade, I'm right here. You're not alone."

"Alright, Tristan," Jeanette's voice cut through our exchange once more. "When the baby's head is out and your wife is at rest between contractions, gently check for a cord around the baby's neck. If there isn't one or if it's loose and can be easily slipped over the head, tell your wife to push on the next contraction."

The words 'cord around the neck' made my blood freeze, but I swallowed down my fear and followed Jeanette's instructions.

But the head wasn’t out. Not yet. And I didn’t know if that was normal.

"Jeanette," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "The baby's head isn't out yet. Is that normal?"

There was a moment of pause before she replied, "Yes, it's normal. Every birth is different. But your wife needs to push harder on the next contraction."

Adriana looked at me, her eyes reflecting the same worry that I was sure was present in my own. "Okay. Okay, I can do that." Her words were punctuated by her shaky breaths.

I squeezed her hand tighter, my thumb rubbing soothing circles onto her sweaty palm. "I know you can, Ade."

Another contraction hit and Adriana pushed, her face contorted in pain. But this time when the contraction subsided, a sizable portion of the baby's head was visible.

"Yes!" I cheered, an intense wave of relief washing over me.

"Good work," Jeanette's voice echoed from the phone on the bedside table. "Tristan, check for the cord now."

Cautiously, I reached out and gently felt around the baby's neck. There was no cord – another sigh of relief escaped me.

"There's no cord," I informed Jeanette quickly before turning my attention back to Adriana. "There's no cord, Ade. You're doing great."

Adriana opened her eyes, her gaze locking onto mine as a small smile ghosted her lips. "We're...we're doing great," she corrected breathlessly, squeezing my hand.

"Right," I agreed, my voice wavering. "We're doing great."

"Alright, Ash," Jeanette's calm voice cut in again. "It's time for your wife to push again. But this time, I want you to apply gentle pressure on the baby's head to prevent it from coming out too quickly."

I nodded, even though Jeanette couldn't see it.

"Okay, Ade," I said, my voice steady despite the quickening beat of my heart. "You need to push again."

She nodded, her forehead creased as she bore down with all her might. The room filled with her ragged breathing and quiet grunts of effort. While deeply terrified, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer strength and determination radiating off Adriana in waves.

"Apply gentle pressure?" I repeated, my fingers trembling. I was on the precipice of my courage, peering over into the unknown. But Jeanette's voice guided me back, her confidence anchoring me.

"Yes," she said firmly. "Gently press against the baby's head as your wife pushes."

Adriana gave me a look of fierce determination, her hand gripping mine tightly. "I'm ready," she muttered, her voice trembling with exertion.

I nodded and took my place. My hands were shaking as I followed Jeanette's instructions and applied a gentle pressure against our child's emerging crown.

Adriana pushed again, and this time, with a cry of effort, our baby's head finally emerged in full. It was wet and coated in Adriana's blood, but it was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen.

"We did it," I breathed out in disbelief, my chest constricting with a wave of emotion that threatened to bring me to tears.

“Yes,” Jeannette said as Adriana glared at me. “We’re almost there.”

That’s when I heard the sirens approaching the house.

Chapter Thirteen: Adriana

Pain seared through me again, sharper, more intense. A strangled cry escaped my lips as I desperately tried to breathe through it, my hand clawing at Tristan's. His other hand was still gently cradling our baby’s head.

Through my haze of pain, I saw him turn towards the door. The sirens had grown louder, the urgent wails growing closer every second. The last of my strength drained from me at the sound, relief washing over me in waves.

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