Page 138 of Forever Love

She waves and leaves the room just as the doctor walks in.

“Leigh, you feel like you want to push?” Leigh nods. “Okay then, scooch down. Let’s check you.” Leigh makes a face as the doctor does whatever she does to check if it’s time to push. “Definitely time to push.” She turns to the nurse. “Let’s get everything set up.”

A few moments later, another contraction rips through Leigh, and the doctor encourages her to push through it. She ratchets an arm around mine and leans forward, yelling as she pushes.

“Okay, sit back and rest before the next one,” the doctor instructs, sensing Leigh’s desire to muscle this baby out one way or another.

“Slow down, Señorita. Trust your body.”

She smirks at me. “Have I ever been patient?”

I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Never.”

“Agh!” she groans again, and I assume the position. This time, she grabs Abuelita’s hand with her free one as she leans forward again. “Holy fuck that feels weird!” She drops back against the bed.

“The baby is almost crowning. Take a few deep breaths. The next few pushes will be the most intense. Leigh, would you like to pull the baby out?”

My eyes go wide.Damn.

“Yes,” she says, fierce as always.

The doctor smiles, and as Leigh groans, I know it’s time. I’m about to become a dad. I stand strong, letting her use me as leverage as she pushes. And pushes. And pushes. And then…

“Okay, Leigh, lean forward.”

She lets go of me and leans forward as the doctor guides her hands. Then I watch in awe as she pushes again while pulling our son out.

She’s the most badass, incredible woman I’ve ever known. And now she’s a mom.

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