Page 49 of After the Red Carpet
“What, love?”
“I’ve loved being pregnant so much. I know it’s a slog for a lot of women and they suffer through it, but it’s been the best time of my whole life. I can’t even describe how good I’ve felt, in my body and spirit. The sense of wholeness, oneness—it’s inexplicable. Being so close to Betty, it’s been better than I ever could have dreamed. I’m a little sad that it’s coming to an end. Is that weird?”
He massaged her hand. “I’ve loved going through every minute of it with you too, so I can only imagine what it’s been like for you. But there’s not a doubt in my mind that the best is yet to come. We’ll finally get to meet our little one; we’ve dreamed of her for so long.”
She smiled and they stared at each other. The moment was broken as Ella started to writhe in pain at another contraction.
“Breathe, baby. Like this,” he gently instructed, breathing the way they had been taught in their classes.
When the contraction passed, she fell back onto her pillow. “I’m okay,” she said.
Finn kissed her forehead.
Several hours later, Dr. King said, “Four centimeters.”
“That’s it?” Ella asked, sweating and in pain.
“You’re progressing nicely, but like I said, this is going to take time, her being your first baby and all. It will be many hours.”
“How do women do this?” Ella groaned.
“We can give you an epidural,” Dr. King said. “It will make it easier.”
She shook her head. “That’s not our plan.”
“If you change your mind, let us know. I’ll be back to check on you later. You’re doing great.”
Ella looked at Finn and said, “I’ve heard so many women say that when they were in labor, they looked at their husbands and thought they’d never want sex again. I never understood.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, I do now. The most you can hope for is a blow job from time to time, and even that’s getting less likely by the second.”
He chuckled. “At least you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”
“Who says I’m kidding?”
Finn smiled and gently ran a cool compress against her forehead. “You are spectacular, and I love you beyond words.”
“I see through your foolish flattery.”
He laughed.
Ella’s expression turned serious. “Finn, I’m a little worried. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be, and it’s taking so long. I’m not even halfway there! I know we have a natural birth plan, but what if I can’t do it?”
“Then you’ll get the epidural. Plans change. We’ll do this any way you want. However you’re most comfortable.”
“That’s not what I want. Please, you have to help . . .” She trailed off, leaned forward, and screamed softly as another contraction came.
When it passed, Finn said, “Do you want me to sit behind you and rub your back? We haven’t tried that yet.”
She nodded.
He sat behind her, his legs wrapped around her, and massaged her back, whispering sweet affirmations in her ear.
“That feels good,” she said.
He kissed the back of her head. “You can do this. I’m here. We’re together.”
