Page 15 of Blake Marshall Says He Needs Me

Missy was in the middle of contractions, and I moved to the foot of the bed to check how far along she was. She had progressed along quickly since she was admitted and only had about three minutes between contractions now.

“How’s it going down there?’ Charlie called.

I smiled and measured how dilated she was. “Well, you’re close to ten centimeters. How are you feeling?” I asked. With Missy progressing along nicely, I wanted to go at the speed that felt right to her. If she was ready to push, so was I.

“Oh god,” Missy moaned. “Here comes another one.” She gripped Charlie’s hand and arched her back as the contraction worked through her. “This is horrible,” she groaned. “This is all your fault, Charlie!”

I had heard it all being in the labor and delivery room.

I never had a baby before, but I knew it hurt like a SOB.

Charlie cringed and bent over in pain from Missy squeezing his hand. “It’s okay, honey,” he wheezed. “You’re doing amazing.”

“I need to push,” Missy called. “Please, I need to push!”

The two nurses efficiently finished preparing the room for the delivery, making sure everything was in order.

I had never worked with the Adams General staff, but everything was moving along smoothly.

"Alright, Missy, you're doing great. Take deep breaths and push when you're ready," I instructed, offering physical and emotional support. I monitored the progress closely, knowing she was going to meet her little girl shortly.

“Oh my god!” Missy screamed.

“You’re doing great, baby,” Charlie called. “Just keep going.”

“Keep going?” Missy spat. “What do you think I am going to do? Tell Shannon to shove it back in and sow me up?”

Both nurses snickered, and even I couldn’t help but smile. Never mess with a woman when she is giving birth. They will take you down without so much as a second thought.

“I just... I mean,” Charlie stammered. “I don’t know what to do,” he sighed.

“I can’t do this!” Missy cried. “I need something, Shannon. You gotta give me something!”

“You’re so close, sweetie. You need to push when the contractions start, okay?” Missy was well past being able to get an epidural or even pain meds that would kick in in time to help her for the next five minutes. She was that close.

“I need drugs!” Missy screamed.

Charlie looked at me expectantly.

“It’s too late for any of that. You’re gonna do this all on your own, sweetie. You’re strong and can do this.”

She let out an agonizing scream and crushed Charlie’s hand in hers.

“Push,” I called. “Give me one good push, Missy.”

Five minutes later, and two pushes, baby girl’s head was peeking out. “This is it, Missy. This is going to be your last push if you give me a good one. This girl is ready to meet her mommy and daddy.”

“I can’t do this,” Missy cried. “I’m not strong enough.”

Charlie leaned over her and brushed her hair out of her face. “You can do this, baby. You’re the strongest person I know. One push, and we can meet Ivy.”

“No,” Missy moaned. “We’re not calling her Ivy.”

Charlie chuckled. “Give us one good push, and we’ll call her whatever you want.”

Missy sat up and glared at Charlie. “I’m calling her whatever I want, even if it takes ten more pushes. I’m doing all of the damn work here.”

“That’s it,” I called. “Use that anger, Missy. One good push. " She needed to use whatever was left in her to get this baby out. “Channel everything you’ve got into meeting your little girl.”

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