Page 141 of The Way We Score

“I feel her!” Liv’s eyes squint, and her jaw begins to tense again.

“Stay with me, Liv! What are the words? Soften… You know them. Say it with me. Soften…”

Her teeth unclench, and she blows air out through her lips. “Soften…”

“Settle…” We say the second word together, then I give her a gentle nudge. “You know the rest. Say it.”

“Relax…” Her eyes squint, and she pushes against the stirrups, sliding higher in the bed.

My body tenses, and I know she’s feeling the pain. “You can do it.”

Her voice trembles as she says it again. “Relax…” Another huff of breath. “Release.”

“That’s it.”

“We’re ready to push. Are you ready?”

“Long breaths, Liv. Remember to hum.”

Our eyes meet, and she nods quickly. Inhaling for three, I watch her relax her shoulders and her jaw. Tears flood her eyes, and my heart rips. Still she’s doing it. She’s following the script, and I rub her shoulders, doing my best to keep her encouraged.

Low groans, measured breathing, I’ve lost track of time, but we’re getting there.

Dr. Pierce is at the foot of the bed, and she looks up at us. “I see the head! Do you want a mirror?”

Liv shakes her head fast. “No!”

I know her fears of tearing and poop, and I grab her hand. “Remember the process.”

She nods, fixing her eyes on mine again, and inhaling slowly. Her eyes close, but she keeps her jaw loose. Her hand grips mine as she hums low, and Dr. Pierce calls out.

“She’s crowning!” Excitement enters her voice. “One more time.”

Liv rises up, inhaling for three, squeezing my hand, and humming down for a count of eight. One more low groan, and we hear the first, annoyed squeal from our little girl. Liv’s face breaks into a smile, and fresh tears flood her eyes.

“One more time,” Dr. Pierce calls, and she does it again, another long push, and Gigi’s out.

Dr. Pierce lifts her quickly, moving her onto Liv’s stomach, dark pink and pouting with perfect little rosebud lips. Her eyes squeeze shut, her tiny mouth opens, and another grumpy cry fills the room.

“Oh, no,” Liv’s voice is a weepy laugh. “Don’t cry, baby Gina.”

I’m officially in love. While I wash my hands, the nurse quickly weighs and measures her then wipes her eyes with the antibiotic ointment.

Gigi puckers her little mouth again before letting out another little angry cry. Liv pulls her to her breast, and she’s already nuzzling. It takes her a minute, but Liv keeps pulling her in close, sliding her baby mouth to the nipple. She tilts her head back, until finally Gigi settles into feeding.

“I’ll give you three a minute.” Dr. Pierce pats my arm as she goes to the door.

Worried hazel eyes meet mine. “I’m not very good at any of this.”

“Hell, Liv…” Leaning forward, I kiss the top of her head. “You look like a pro to me.”

“You didn’t see what I was like before you got here. I wasa complete spazz. I couldn’t remember the script. I couldn’t remember what I was supposed to do…”

“You were just a little shook up.” I lean back, squeezing her hand. “Jack said you went into labor on the path?”

“I was walking to Mom’s.” Her eyes blink wide. “This lady had a dog, and my water broke… I think I fainted. I don’t know how I got here.”

“Jack said someone called 911. It must’ve been the same person.”

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