Page 85 of Baby I'm Yours

“I should hope so,” Margaret says before adding in a voice for my ears only, “And if it sneaks back up there, I’ll pry it out again, honey. Don’t you worry. He loves you so much. He really does. He just needs practice being a good partner. But I have all the faith in the world in you two. What you have is so special, and I know you’re going to build a beautiful family together.”

“Thanks. I think so, too,” I say, my eyes stinging again. “Love you, Margaret. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Oh, I am, too, sweetheart,” she says, also sounding on the verge of tears. “Is it okay if I come to the hospital with Maya? I’d love to be there for you and the babies.” She sucks in a delighted breath. “When Maya told me you were having twin girls, I could hardly contain myself.”

“Yes, of course,” I say, wincing as another contraction starts to build. “See you there. Have to go. Having a contraction.”

I end the call and cling to Hunter’s hand as the pain throbs between my hips.

“Hold on,” he says. “Only five more miles. We’re almost there, baby. You’re doing great.”

Iamdoing great, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to that epidural my doc promised. Screw natural childbirth, I want the drugs, anything to take the edge off what I can already tell is going to be a way more painful experience than I bargained for.

Ten minutes later, Hunter is swinging into the emergency room parking and half carrying me toward the reception desk.

As soon as he says the words, “She’s in labor, strong contractions, three to four minutes apart,” the nurses launch into motion.

The next twenty minutes pass in a blur of activity, as I’m whisked away in a wheelchair to the labor and delivery ward on the third floor, signing forms on the way as Hunter stands guard beside me, never more than a foot from my side. He helps me into my gown and holds tight to my hand as the nurses check my progress and attach monitors to my belly to track the babies’ heartbeats.

Dr. Saunders appears just minutes later, pulling on surgical gloves as she casts a curious look Hunter’s way.

“The baby daddy,” I explain as she settles into a rolling stool. “We decided we love each other, after all. He’s staying for the birth, but my birth coach is still on her way, too. So, I’ll have two hands to squeeze in half.”

“Brilliant. Two hands for two babies,” she says. She smiles at Hunter. “Welcome back, baby daddy. I’m Dr. Saunders.”

“Hunter Mendelssohn,” Hunter says. “Nice to meet you.”

“Same.” She rolls closer and lifts the drape covering my lower half. “Now, let’s see how close we are to delivering some babies.” After just a few seconds and light pressure I can barely feel over the cramping, she pulls back, her eyes wide. “Woah, lady. Eight centimeters. These girls aren’t wasting any time.”

“Eight centimeters?” I echo, panic rising in my chest as the reality of eight freaking centimeters hits hard. “Already?”

“You’re an overachiever, girl, what can I say? But you’re going to do great. No worries. Baby A is still in the perfect position. With a little bit of luck, Baby B will follow her sister’s lead, and you’ll be meeting your daughters soon!” She squeezes my ankle reassuringly before adding over her shoulder to thenurses, “Prep for delivery? I’ll scrub in and meet you in the delivery room.”

“What about the epidural?” I ask, panic rising as she scoots back, tugging off her gloves. “I was promised drugs. Good ones. The kind that make you forget you’re pushing a watermelon through a?—”

“I’m sorry,” Dr. Saunders cuts in gently as she starts for the door, “but we’re past that window. These babies are coming, and they’re coming fast. But like I said, you’ve got this. It’s going to be over before you know it.” She turns to the nurses hovering nearby, “Get Dad some scrubs and warn the team at the check-in desk that her birth coach should be arriving soon. She’ll need scrubs, too, before she joins the fun.”

“Fun?” I mutter as she disappears, my heart throbbing in my throat as I turn wide eyes Hunter’s way. “This doesn’t feel like fun.”

His hand tightens on mine as he stands steady amidst the controlled chaos unfolding around us. “But she’s right. You’ve got this. There’s nothing you can’t do, Elaina Murphy.”

“Yeah?” I squeak, pulse slowing simply from seeing his faith in me reflected so clearly in his eyes.

“Yeah.” He accepts the scrubs the tiny nurse with her hair pulled into a blond bun presses into one hand, but holds tight to mine with his other. “No doubt in my mind. You’re the strongest person I know. You inspire the hell out of me.”

Tears sting into my eyes again. But before I can tell him that I feel the same way, another contraction rips through me, stealing my words. This wave is different than the ones before—deeper, more demanding. My bones vibrate with it, a sea change unfolding at the cellular level until it feels like my body is trying to turn itself inside out.

Releasing Hunter’s hand, I bend forward in the bed, bracing my hands on my bent knees and pulling in breaths as best Ican with my giant belly balled into a throbbing knot. I whimper, keening low in my throat as the pain floods through me from head to toe and my brain starts to feel floaty in my skull.

“Breathe, baby, breathe,” Hunter says, pressing a hand to my lower back, offering support, assuring me I’m not alone. “She’s supposed to breathe, right?”

“She is,” the short nurse assures him from somewhere nearby. “And she’s doing great.” Raising her voice, she adds, “Deep breaths, honey. Relax your shoulders if you can. Good job. You’re doing so good. It’s on the way out, just a few more seconds. I can see the contraction fading on the monitor.”

A few seconds later, I realize she’s right. The contraction is fading, leaving me trembling, sweat breaking out on my upper lip as I lift my head, panting, “Is that as bad as they get? Please tell me that’s as bad as they get.”

Her pale blue eyes crinkle sympathetically as she says, “That was a bad one all right. Let me get you some ice chips. Sucking on one helped distract me during labor.” To Hunter, she adds in a more urgent voice. “Scrubs. Now, Dad. And don’t forget the booties for your shoes.” She lifts a hand, signaling to another nurse. “We need to get her moving into delivery. Now.”

Nurses move into place beside me, unlocking the rolling bed. Pulse spiking again, I lock eyes with Hunter, silently pleading with him not to let them take me, though I know none of us have a choice at this point.

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