Page 60 of A Kind Wedding: Christian & Charleigh

I walked out of the room and called Charleigh.

“Hello, handsome.”

“Hi, beautiful. Charlotte’s in labor.”

“Oh shit. Conner is in San Francisco.”

“He’s on his way back. He asked me to stay with her until he got here.”

“I’m on my way.”

“Babe, stop. Enjoy lunch with your parents. I don’t think she’s having this baby any time soon. She just had her first contraction.”

“Okay. I’ll give her a call right now. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I walked back into the room. “Well?” I looked at Carly.

“She’s dilated to four centimeters.”

Charlotte yelped as she gripped the sides of the bed. I walked over and grabbed hold of her hand.

“If you want an epidural, now is the time, Charlotte.”

“I want my husband and this baby out of me!” she shouted.

“Your baby will be here soon.” I gently squeezed her hand.

“I appreciate your optimism, Christian, but you’re full of shit. It’s happening again. Fuck!” she shouted. “Why isn’t it stopping?”

I pulled out my phone and texted Georgia.

“Charlotte’s contractions are now five minutes apart and lasting about a minute.”

“Okay. I’ll be on my way in a few. I’m just finishing up with a patient.”

Charlotte shouted as another contraction hit.

“Breathe, Charlotte. Deep breaths. Do you want an epidural?”

“No. Conner and I agreed no drugs.” Her nails dug into my arm.

Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. I walked over to the sink, grabbed a cloth, and ran it under cool water. Placing it on her forehead, she looked at me.

“I need my husband.”

“He’s on his way.” I glanced at my watch.

“Let me see if you’ve dilated anymore, Dr. Kind,” Carly said.

“I’ll be right back, Charlotte,” I spoke.

She grabbed hold of my hand. “Don’t leave me, Christian.”

“She’s dilated to seven, Dr. Kind.” Carly looked up at me.

“I swear to God. If Conner isn’t here for the birth of this baby, I’m filing for divorce the second she’s born,” Charlotte shouted as another contraction hit.

---