Page 30 of Christmas with Hope

“I’ll be right back!” he blurted then took off to find the doctor, leaving me alone.

I wasn’t sure if I was happy to be alone dealing with the pain or if I was sad because I had no one to comfort me. All I knew was that I was ready for it to all be over. The sooner the better and safer for those around me.

The door opened as an even more intense contraction struck me. A doctor wearing a red Santa hat and two nurses walked into the room smiling ear to ear. I wanted to punch them in the throat. What the hell was there to be so happy about?

Colton walked in behind them and closed the door.

“I hear you’re ready to push,” the doctor said, walking over to me.

“That’s what I said,” Colton snapped. The doctor and nurses looked at him. Their smiles disappeared.

“Let’s take a look, Mrs. Preston,” the doctor said, sitting down on the stool. He lifted up the sheet. I positioned my legs how they had told me throughout the day. The doctor looked up at me and smiled. “It’s time, Mrs. Preston.”

It’s time,I repeated to myself.

Fear raced through me at what was next to come. If I barely handled the contractions, how in the world was I going to handle pushing a baby out?

I looked at Colton and held out my hand. I needed to feel his strength.

“I’m here, babe. I’m not going anywhere,” Colton smiled and then walked over to me and held my hand.

“Prep the room,” the doctor told one nurse and stood up. The other nurse started helping the doctor gown up and put gloves on. I felt like I was about to go into surgery.

“It’s okay. They’re going to take good care of you,” Colton whispered, leaning over and kissing me softly.

“I’m… I’m scared,” I admitted, looking up at him. He smiled and kissed me again.

“You’re the bravest woman I know, Hope. You’re going to do just fine.”

“Don’t leave me.” A tear slid down my cheek.

“Never. Not in this lifetime or the next”

His words were just what I needed. A wave of calmness washed through me and I let out a sigh of relief.

“I love you, Hope Preston.”

“I love you, Col-- Die!”

I sounded possessed, but I didn’t care. This contraction was the worst I had felt so far. It felt like my body was going to explode. I didn’t know how much more I could handle.

“Okay, let’s meet this bundle of joy,” the doctor said, sitting down on the stool.

The next half an hour or so was a blur. Between my blood-curdling screams, tears, and pushes time didn’t matter. All that mattered was getting through this.

Relief passed over me followed by a baby crying.

“Congratulations,” the doctor smiled up at me. “It’s a girl.”

I collapsed back onto the bed. Tears flooded down my face but this time it was from happiness. I had done it. I had brought our baby girl into the world.

“You did wonderful, sweetheart,” Colton kissed my forehead. “Absolutely wonderful.”

The nurse walked over to the bed opposite Colton. In her arms, she held a baby wrapped up in a Christmas-themed blanket. Our baby.

“Ready to hold your bundle of joy?” the nurse smiled.

“Yes,” I whispered, holding out my arms.

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