Page 74 of Dubious Match
While it’s an odd thought, it’s true. I’ll blame the pain meds.
“Mmmm. Much better,” he says. “Be a good girl and sleep. There’s more than enough time to talk tomorrow. I’m not mad, I’m furious you were hurt. However, I’ve listened to Cian tell me how everything went down, and there’s no way you’d have done anything differently.”
“Did I tell you what happened while asleep? I didn’t have time to explain, did I?”
“You told Cian before you passed out,” he murmurs. “The rest is written in bruises on your skin. Sleep for me, Hollis. Just relax.”
I’m already halfway there as my breath deepens and I let myself drift off to sleep.
NOVA
Katee is laboring really well, we’ve been swaying, and her body is progressing quickly.
“Nova,” she says, groaning through another contraction.
The nurses said that she could move some in the room, though they’re not comfortable with her walking the hallways since she’s bleeding so much still.
“You’ve got this,” I remind her. “Tell me what you want to say when you can.”
She’s leaned over the hospital bed to brace her weight as her hips sway back and forth while I apply gentle, firm pressure to the sides of her hips to help relieve some of the pain she’s feeling.
It takes three more fierce contractions before she gasps,“Head! Nova, I have…to push. Now.”
Well then. Go girl.
It’s just her and I here, and the nurses told me that I have the room outside of necessary medical care. I brought absorbent surgical pads for the ground and I quickly drop some all around us to catch any fluids during labor.
“Do you want to stay in this position?” I ask. As she nods wildly, I change out my gloves and help her step out of herunderwear. “Don’t hate me, I just want to check to make sure you’re ready.”
I have a mask on already and I drop into a squat to check her dilation, only to find a head already crowning.
“Nevermind, push away, Katee,” I say brightly. “Come on, breathe and do what your body needs.”
After the wait, this baby is in a hurry, and after three good pushes, she slides into my hands.
“Hi, baby,” I say, unable to stop smiling. This is my favorite part. Katee did so fucking good. “Katee, stand and reach down for your baby.”
I make sure she can hold her, and I stand as I hold the baby’s bottom as Katee snuggles her.
“Go ahead and get into bed nice and easy, and we’ll wait for the placenta to be delivered,” I say. “You did the hard part.”
Katee is sobbing with happy and grateful tears, whispering to her baby about how they did it. Blinking rapidly, I have to force back the tears because I know they’re going to be alone as they make this transition. She’s hired me to also be her post partum doula, so I’ll be with her along the way for as long as I can be.
Just as Katee is in bed and covered, a loud knock sounds before a doctor barges in.
Unfortunately, it’s Dr. Stewart. I thought he’d stay down in the emergency department instead of the maternity ward. Guess I was wrong.
“What’s going on here?” he asks wide eyed.
“Baby is here,” I say without making eye contact as I begin to pick up the floor pads.
“I can see that, but shouldn’t a nurse have done that?” he asks.
“Midwife here,” I say, tossing the trash into the proper container. “I’m waiting for her body to expel the placenta, andI’m monitoring them both to ensure they’re comfortable and well.”
“So you’re not her partner,” the doctor says slowly, making me finally have to look at him.
“Nope. I got this, you can go. Thanks,” I say with a tight smile.
