Page 136 of The Fiancé Hoax

Felicity smiled. “Thanks, girls. We’ll see you soon. And then you can meet your new brother!”

Amid cheers and well wishes, I led her out to the car.

Halfway to the hospital, Felicity's contractions began.

They seemed to come on strong, with short intervals in between them. I cursed under my breath at the traffic, wishing I could part the sea of vehicles so we could get to the hospital faster.

Finally, though, we made it.

We had already texted the obstetrician on the drive over. Ten minutes later, Felicity was checked in and settled in a bed in the delivery room.

I stood at Felicity’s side as Dr. Temple checked her dilation.

I was a nervous wreck, fidgeting and shifting my weight from foot to foot. Even while panting through contractions, Felicity was handling this better than I was. I just wanted her and the baby to be safe and healthy.

Dr. Temple stood and removed her latex gloves. “I have good news and bad news.”

Felicity groaned as another contraction hit her. I brushed her hair off her forehead. Then her face relaxed as the pain subsided.

“What's the good news?” Felicity asked.

“The labor is progressing very quickly. We don't usually see it go this fast for a first-time mother.”

“What's the bad news?” I asked tightly.

“There's no time for an epidural.”

Felicity grimaced and moaned. I wasn't sure if she was reacting to the doctor’s words or another contraction.

I bent down so she could focus on my eyes.

“Hey,” I said to her, and she looked up. “I’m right here. I’ll be here with you the whole time.”

She nodded and bit her lip. Another contraction came on quickly.

As Felicity's labor progressed, Dr. Temple and the nurses were great. They did everything possible to make her comfortable. I never left her side, helping her to breathe through the pain and holding her hand.

A nurse asked if Felicity wanted to stand and move around, and Felicity gratefully took the opportunity to walk around the room. I watched as she shut her eyes with each wave of pain, wishing I could do more to help her.

The nurse showed me how to apply pressure to Felicity’s hips and lower back, and it seemed to help a little. When it came time to push, she climbed back into bed.

I gripped her hand, pushing my own anxiety aside. I had to be steady and calm for her.

“You can do this, Felicity,” I said.

She looked at me, her eyes focused on mine. Then she shut her eyes to concentrate. The doctor was saying something, but I could hardly hear her as Felicity pushed.

Finally, a high-pitched cry filled the room, bringing me back to my senses.

“Congratulations,” Dr. Temple announced, lifting a little, squirmy baby up for us to see. “You have a healthy baby boy.”

The nurse took the baby to clean and weigh him. Breathless, Felicity looked at me with wonder in her eyes. I kissed her forehead and squeezed her hand.

“You did it,” I whispered.

She beamed, all of her previous pain already forgotten. A moment later, the nurse handed the baby to Felicity, who took him in her arms. I peered over her shoulder at our son’s face.

“He's beautiful and perfect,” I whispered. “Just like his mother.”

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