"Okay."
I stack the pillows behind her, making sure they keep her upright.
"You can do this, okay?"
"God, I hope you're right."
Less than two minutes later, her face squishes and I tell her to push.
Wesley stands next to me, and although I know she probably doesn't want him near her, I need his help.
"I need you to lift up her leg and push it toward her chest."
"Me?"
"I can't deliver the baby and hold up her legs, so yeah, make yourself useful," I snap, no longer giving a shit that he has a gun. Raven's my priority at the moment.
"Raven, try to hold up your other leg. It'll give you better momentum."
She wraps her hand behind her knee and pulls it toward her.
"Good, keep pushin'."
Her body relaxes when the contraction stops and she releases the hold on her leg.
"Any chance you know how long it takes to push this baby out?"
"Everyone's different, but typically, the first pregnancy can take a while."
"How long isa while?" Wesley asks.
"My mom's had women push for upwards of three hours."
"Oh hell no." Raven's head falls back on the pillows. "I can't bare the pain that long. This shit hurts."
"Hopefully, that won't be your situation," I tell her, hopeful. Although, it can help to have meds because then the mom doesn't tire out as quickly.
But I don't tell her that.
"Another one's comin'..." She repositions, lifting her leg.
"You're doin' great. I can see the head."
"You can?" Wesley sneaks a peek, and I push him away.
"This ain't a free show," I snap.
"That's still my baby, whether you like it or not."
"That doesn't give you a free pass to look at her while she's exposed. So be respectful."
He glares, his jaw locked in place, but doesn't argue. Returning to her leg, he continues holding it up.
"Keep pushin'..."
Raven cries out for the next hour and even though she's crowning, the baby doesn't move.
"I think something's wrong. The baby should be out more by now."