Page 211 of Come Back To Me

Mads wipes her brow, and I notice she’s sweating. “I don’t feel so good.”

I hold my hand to her head. “You’re burning up. Travis, the chair.”

He swings it towards us.

“What’s going on?” Jack asks, his keys already in his hand, ready to drive us home.

“I’m fine,” Mads starts, but her body folds on a loud cry. “Shit. Dean!”

I scoop her, trying to help her to the wheelchair.

She takes one step before crying out again.

“Breathe, Mads. Tell me what’s happening?”

She starts drawing air in through her nose, releasing it from her mouth. Her grip on my arm is excruciating. She gives another ear shattering cry. “The baby… I think it’s coming.”

Chapter Fifty

DEAN

“Don’t push, Madison. Try to take nice deep breaths for me.”

This midwife has a death wish. The way Mads growls at her leaves me a little surprised.

On her knees, arms crossed on the back of the raised hospital bed, Mads’ head is dropped to the pillow. She’s not moved for the past hour, but is contracting nicely. Whatever that means.

“It’s too early,” she cries in agony.

I stand by her head, slowly stroking the damp hair off her face.

She rolls her head to me, eyes closed, face scrunched. “It hurts.”

Her broken cry has my heart bleeding. Natural or not, I don’t like seeing her in pain. My breathing quickens, the flaring pain in my chest pulling tight. “Is there anything you can give her?” I ask the midwife, who’s currently three fingers deep in my girl.

She sits behind Mads; one hand holding a heart rate monitor whilst her head’s dipped to see what’s going on. “Let me get you some gas and air.” Taking off her gloves, the midwife grabs what she needs.

Mads moans, long and drawn out with another contraction. She’s crying, her tears in full flow down the sides of her face. Herglistening eyes meet mine. “Is the baby going to be okay?” She sobs as she asks, rolling her lips as her tears coat them. “It’s too soon.”

The midwife comes into Mads’ view attaching the gas canister to the side of the bed. She places a reassuring hand on Mads. “The baby’s heart rate is just dipping slightly with each contraction. The doctor will be in any moment to check you over and we’ll go from there. You’re doing a great job. For now, try not to push. Take this.” She hands Mads the nozzle. “As soon as you feel your next contraction, start sucking. Breathe in and out through your—”

Mads grabs the nozzle, shoving it past her lips. She sucks in and out causing the machine to churn. Her eyes roll into her head, then, rather amusingly, her eyebrows lift to the sky.

Oh, she’s high. “Feel better?” I ask, seeing her find relief.

Barely opening one eye, still sucking on the gas and air, she gives me a thumbs up. A fucking thumbs up.

I laugh, looking at the midwife. “Well that worked.”

The midwife smiles, checking the monitor.

The door gently creaks opens, and we’re greeted by the doctor. He introduces himself, then walks straight to the midwife, pulling down his glasses from his head.

I try my best to listen as they talk, flitting my gaze to Mads. She’s as high as a kite, sucking down the magic air as if there’s no tomorrow.

“VP?” Her eyes don’t open.

“Yeah, beautiful?” I press my lips to her head.

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