Page 22 of Summer Waves

“If you don’t do something to get this kid out of me, I’m going to kill you!” I shouted at him as I rode out the contraction. When it finally ended I released Giovanni’s shirt.

I was nine centimeters last the doctor checked. The doctor assured me the baby would be arriving within the hour. However, that was two hours ago and my patience was gone. I wanted the pain to go away.

“Bethany, you’re doing great. I’m so proud of you,” Giovanni whispered. He kissed my forehead and continued to hold my hand.

He had been supportive since day one of us learning I was pregnant. He had made it to all my doctor’s appointments. Ran out in the middle of the night, when I had insane cravings. Everything. He had been an amazing husband.

It wasn’t fair of me to be snippy with him. I knew that, but the pain was turning me into a she-devil. If the baby didn’t come soon, I feared Giovanni -- or anyone for that matter -- would make it through the night.

There was a knock at the door. Shortly after, the door opened. The doctor and nurse walked in smiling.

“Let’s see if it’s that time.” The doctor smiled as another contraction struck, making me want to kick the smile off his face.

“God!” I screamed. The pain was almost unbearable. I felt like I was going to pass out.

“You’re doing great, baby,” Giovanni reassured me. A tear trickled down my face as I continued trying to focus on breathing. The contraction seemed to last a lifetime.

“Let’s take a look,” the doctor said when the contraction stopped. His eyes had been glued on the monitors the entire time. “I think it might be time.”

He washed his hands before putting on his gloves and positioning himself to examine me. I moved my legs for him to check me. Just that alone made my stomach feel a lot better; however, there was an insane pressure between my legs.

The doctor lifted the sheet and then checked me as he had done over the past six hours. This time he stood up and smiled.

“It’s showtime, Mrs. Russo,” he chuckled. “You’re fully dilated and I can see the baby’s head.”

Everything hit me at that moment. I was a mom.

I looked up at Giovanni.

“We’re going to be parents,” I smiled through the tears. Giovanni smiled and wiped the tears from my cheeks.

“The best parents,” he kissed the top of my head. “I love you, Bethany.”

“I love you, too.”

-- THE END --

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