Page 107 of Fatal Attraction

“You’re already 3m dilated, nearing 4. If you want an epidural, now is the time to get it. The contractions will only get worse from here and if you wait any longer, you won’t be able to get it.”

Fuck.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

There was no way in hell I was going to suffer if I didn’t have to. “Give it to me.”

“You’resure?”

“As long as it won’t hurt the babies, then yes, give it to me.”

She nodded, then promised she’d be right back with her team.

This was bliss.

Absolute bliss.

Ever since I’d gotten the epidural just over an hour ago, I hadn’t felt a single contraction.

Not one.

Halle-fucking-lujah.

“Smile for me, pumpkin.” Dad jumped up from his chair with his cell phone extended above us, the camera ready and a giant, jubilant smile on his face. “SAY CHEESE!”

I faked another smile, then blinked when the flash went off in my face for what felt like the hundredth time now.

“That’s enough, Gary,” Mom snipped at him, her expression wrapped tight in a giant bow of annoyance. “Let the girl rest.”

He made a face, mimicking silent words like he was mocking her. Mom just rolled her eyes and continued to flip through a healthcare magazine.

“So,” she spoke after a moment. “Have you decided what you’re naming the babies?”

“Not yet,” I admitted. “We’ve been playing around with names but haven’t found anything we can all agree on.”

“Naming babies isn’t hard, Charlotte. Did you not get the baby book I sent you?”

I sighed. “Yes, Mom.”

“Did you read it?”

“Of course I did.” It was a lie. I didn’t read it. That thing had been sitting on my bedroom dresser collecting dust for months. She didn’t have to know that though. “There weren’t any in it I liked.”

Mom’s reply was cut off by the door opening. Dr. Scanlon skittered in, offering my parents humble smiles as she introduced herself.

“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Scanlon,” said my mother.

“What’s the update, Doc?” Dad wondered.

She didn’t speak at first, just wandered over to the machine, examining the parchment. “Contractions are coming a bit more frequently now, so I’d like to check and see if Charlotte has dilated farther than 4cm. If she hasn’t, then it may be several hours before we see any headway.”

“And if I have?” I asked her.

“It all depends on how far you’ve progressed. Before we proceed though,” she said, frowning at my father. “I have to ask you to step out of the room, please. It’ll only be for a moment.”

Dad happily nodded, then rose to his feet, kissing my forehead. When he was gone, I had to unpleasantly scoot down as much as I could so the doctor could do her thing.

“Shit,” she whispered under her breath. “You’re almost ready.”

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