Page 187 of Billionaire Temptations

“I swear to God, Parker. If you say in and out again, I will break your balls so you can never do this to me again!”

Kelly, the nurse, laughed. “It’s okay, Mr. Parker. I’ve heard it all. I’m going to call your doctor, Emerson. I think he’s already here at the hospital delivering another baby.”

The contraction subsided, and I could finally breathe.

“Adam and Renee are on their way. I’m afraid to ask how you are.”

“I’m sorry, Alex. OH MY GOD, I HATE YOU RIGHT NOW!” I screamed as another contraction hit, and I squeezed the living hell out of his hand.

Dr. Williams walked in and looked at me. “Breathe through it, Emerson. In and out.”

“Oh, he can say that to you, but I can’t,” Alex spoke.

“We aren’t discussing this now,” I spoke through gritted teeth.

Dr. Williams examined me and then told me that if I wanted an epidural, now was the time to have it.

“We agreed that she wasn’t going to have an epidural,” Alex spoke.

Another contraction was starting, and I couldn’t hold back. “I want the epidural,” I panted.

“But, baby, we talked about this, and you said no drugs. It wasn’t good for the baby.”

“I WANT THE DRUGS!” I yelled. “Are you the one lying here while your insides are being ripped to pieces?”

Alex took a step back. “She’ll take the epidural,” he spoke.

A few moments later, the anesthesiologist walked in and gave me the epidural. It was painful but nothing compared to the contractions I was having. Relief finally settled throughout me, and I felt as if I could relax.

“Alex.” I softly stroked his arm. “I’m sorry.” I pouted.

He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “It’s okay, baby. Soon we’ll be holding our daughter in our arms.”

I smiled at him as Dr. Williams returned to examine me again.

“It’s time, Emerson. You are fully dilated, and it’s time to start pushing. Are you ready?”

“Yes. I am more than ready to get this child out of me.”

“She didn’t really mean that,” Alex spoke to the doctor.

“Yes, I did. Why are you saying that I didn’t really mean it? Did you carry this child for the last nine months? Did you feel the uncontrollable need to pee every second of the day? Did your feet swell up like balloons? Did you have constant heartburn? Were you exhausted before you even woke up in the mornings?”

“Baby, you need to be quiet now and start pushing,” he said as he grabbed my hand.

“Don’t tell me to be quiet.”

“On the count of three, Emerson,” Dr. Williams said. “One, two, three, push.”

I strained and pushed as hard as I could. After the third push, I was so exhausted that I couldn’t do it anymore. I lay back and tried to catch my breath.

“Emerson, you have to push again,” Dr. Williams spoke.

“I can’t. I just can’t do it anymore. I’m so tired.”

Alex leaned over and kissed me. “Yes, you can. You can do this, Em, and I will help you. Now sit up and push. Do it for me, baby. I can’t wait to meet our daughter.”

I sat up as he held my hand and gave it everything I had.

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