Page 39 of Inked Craving

Me:Thank you. You’ll be here. I know you will. Don’t worry. And I don’t need Evan here. I don’t know Evan.

“What are you laughing about over there?” Lee asked as I breathed through the pain once more.

“Eliza is asking if her brother Evan can come and join me in the delivery room because I don’t think my family’s going to make it.” My voice went high-pitched at that point, and Lee’s eyes widened before he turned into the hospital parking lot.

“What?”

I explained about the accident as my phone continued to buzz, everybody who wasn’t driving giving me updates.

Me:Getting into the hospital now. Text Lee. Or have him join this group chat.

Lee’s phone began to buzz, and he narrowed his eyes at me. “Was I just added to the Montgomery family group chat?” he asked with a growl as he jumped out of the car. He had parked, and I was grateful for that. I didn’t want him to have to drop me off and leave me alone. I probably should be okay with being alone at this point, but I couldn’t care about that right then.

“Come on, Paige. Let’s get you inside. We’re going to meet the baby.”

My eyes widened as I waddled next to him, breathing slowly. He had found a place to park only three spots away from the door, so it was an easy walk that honestly helped soothe some of the pain. We walked in, and then I bent over, letting out a pained groan as Lee rubbed my back and called out over my head.

“Help. Somebody. She’s in labor. Her water broke. And we’re going through contractions less than a minute apart at this point.”

“You were counting even as we were driving?” I ground out.

“Of course, I was. I’m your birthing partner. Well, your backup for Annabelle, but where is Annabelle?”

Everything moved quickly after that. I was admitted and barely into a dressing gown when I screamed, begging for an epidural.

“I’m sorry, Paige, you’re too close to the end for the epidural. We’re going to have to do this according to a different birthing plan.”

I looked up at my doctor, the one who had helped me through everything, even through the near loss and finding out that I was pregnant in the first place. I swallowed hard. “What do you mean I’m not getting pain meds?”

“We’re out of the window where it’s safe, but that means we are closer to having your little one here. You’re doing great. I am going to be right back. The nurses will be here with you. And you’re not alone.” She looked over her shoulder as Lee paced near the doorway, his hair standing on end from as many times as he had run his hand through it.

“You’re saying she doesn’t get to have an epidural?” His voice dropped at that, and I didn’t blame him, panic sliding up my spine along with the pain.

“No, I’m sorry. Ice chips alone. Take care of her. I know you know the drill. I’ll be right back.”

“You’re going to leave us alone?” I asked, my voice going high-pitched as I gripped Lee’s hand in earnest. He squeezed right back, and I leaned into him, my body shaking.

“You two have each other. You’re not alone. And soon, baby will make three.” She was so calm as she said it, and I knew she was trying to soothe me, but I wanted to throttle her. Or throw something. Yes. Throw something.

Nerve-racking pain shot up my spine, and my hips vibrated as if something were trying to push its way out of me.

“Lee.”

He cursed under his breath, wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and squeezed my hand. “I’ve got you. I’ve always got you, Paige.”

“My family’s not going to be here,” I whispered, my eyes filling with tears.

“Hey, I’m your family, too, remember?”

His voice was soft, and there were a thousand unanswered questions there, words that should have been said. But there was no time for that. Instead, I screamed into the pain, Lee taking the brunt of my anger, fear, and worry. The nurses were there suddenly, the fact that they were all goddesses in my eyes telling me that maybe I really should have found a way to get there earlier for the pain meds.

“I thought they said first births were supposed to take longer,” I ground out, afraid that my parents and my family wasn’t going to be there in time.

But Lee was there, holding me, and as the doctor told me to push, I did, even as fiery pain and determination slammed through me.

My sister had explained that I would forget some of the pain, terror, and fear because that was how people were able to have second babies and thirds. Because they forgot the awful agony of childbirth.

I didn’t know if I would ever forget the anguish and guttural fear, but right now, all I could focus on was doing what the doctor said and squeezing Lee’s hand. His gentle breathing and whispered, nonsensical words in my ear kept me steady. And when I was practically lying on him, he kissed the top of my head and held me close.

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