“Don’t you dare,” I warned.
I heard a light chuckle as he inched his hand away from me. “Good night, sweetheart. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Ian and I left the doctor’s office and went to grab some lunch. He said that I could go into labor any day and if I didn’t within the next week, then he would schedule me for a C-section. I didn’t know if I could hold out for another week. I was so uncomfortable, I could barely stand it anymore. Small cramping pains started and I wasn’t feeling well. I was so tired and I just wanted to go home.
“Can we get lunch to go, honey? I’m so tired and I’m not feeling well.”
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked with concern.
“I just feel a little sick. I think I need to lie down for a while.”
“Okay. I’ll just have Charles make something at home,” he said as he helped me into the car.
When we arrived home, I walked up the stairs and was startled by a severe cramp in my stomach. A cramp so bad that it sent me to my knees. I let out what sounded like a howl. Ian came running from the kitchen.
“Rory, what’s wrong?!”
“I think I had contraction.”
He took my hand and helped me up. “I’ll call the doctor.”
“No, don’t. It was just one pain. I’ll probably start getting them here and there. We don’t have to worry until they come closer together.”
Ian helped me up the stairs and to the bedroom. Another contraction started. “Holy fuck!” I screamed.
“Shit, sweetheart, I’m calling the doctor. I’ll be right back. I left my phone downstairs.”
“Don’t leave me, Ian,” I whined.
Ian started screaming Mandy’s name and, after a few moments, she came running into the bedroom.
“Mandy, I need you to go to the kitchen and get my phone. I need to call the doctor. Rory’s in labor.”
“Here, Mr. Braxton, just use my phone,” she said as she pulled it from her pocket and handed it to him.
Mandy walked over and rubbed my back. “I know it hurts, Rory, but you can do this.” She smiled.
“OH MY GOD! It’s happening again,” I screamed.
Suddenly, I felt a steady stream of water running down my legs. I looked down and gasped.
“Oh, your water broke!” Mandy exclaimed.
“What?! Ian said.
“Mr. Braxton, forget calling the doctor. You need to get Rory to the hospital now.”
Ian gave Mandy the phone and both of them helped me downstairs. Ian ran to the kitchen and grabbed his keys and phone while Mandy helped me in the car.
“Mandy, please have Joshua get Rory’s bag from the bedroom closet and bring it to the hospital.”
“Will do, Mr. Braxton. Good luck, Rory!”
I was scared, in pain, and unsure about everything. Ian took my hand and held it while he drove us to the hospital. Another contraction started and I squeezed Ian’s hand as I let out a yell.
“Why does this hurt so badly?” I screamed. “This can’t be normal!”
“Breathe, sweetheart. We’re almost at the hospital and everything will be fine,” Ian said.
“Nothing will be fine until I get these babies out of me!” I yelled.
Chapter 42
Ian
We arrived at the ER in record time. I broke every driving law possible. I went inside, found a wheelchair, and helped Rory from the car. I could see the pain in her face as she held her stomach. The receptionist took us up to the Labor and Delivery unit, where one of the nurses took Rory’s information and then called her doctor. The time had finally arrived. My daughters were about to enter the world and I couldn’t wait to meet them. I hated seeing Rory in so much pain and I wanted to do everything possible to try and make her comfortable. I helped her into the cloth gown the nurse left for her and then I helped her onto the bed.
“Ian, this pain is unbearable. I don’t think I can do this,” she said as she laid her forehead on my shoulder.
I clasped her shoulders with my hands and lightly rubbed them. “Yes, you can, sweetheart. Your daughters are depending on you to help them come into the world. They need your help.”
She sighed as she laid her head back on the pillow. I could tell she was already exhausted.
“Hello, there. I’m Cora and I’ll be your nurse for the rest of the evening.”
“Hello, Cora, I’m Ian Braxton. Is there anything you can give my wife to help her pain?”
“I’ll have to ask her doctor, but I’m sure he’ll give her something.” She smiled.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Adalynn. In the midst of all the excitement, I had forgotten to call her. Actually, I didn’t call anyone.
“Rory better be in labor, Ian, because you’re interrupting sex time,” Adalynn answered.
“She is. We’re at the hospital now.”
“OH MY GOD! I’m on my way. Tell her that I’m on my way!” Click.
I looked over at Rory just as another contraction started. “Look at me, Rory. Focus on me, sweetheart,” I said as I held her hands.
She squeezed them as hard as she could while she breathed in and out. Finally, it was over and she let go of my hands. Damn, her grip was hard and it hurt.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” I asked.
“Yes. Have these babies for me, please.” She smiled.
“You know I would,” I said as I kissed her nose. “Adalynn is on her way. I’m going to call the rest of the family.”
I made a few phone calls to let everyone know that Rory was in labor. As I had my back turned to the door, I heard Adalynn breeze in.
“Ugh, Rory, you poor thing,” she said as she held her hand. “Is he taking good care of you?”
I sighed as I shook my head. “Yes, I am, Adalynn, and hello to you too.”
“No offense, Ian, and hello.”
Nurse Cora walked back into the room and asked us to leave while she checked to see how many centimeters Rory was dilated.
“I’m sorry, Cora, but I’m not leaving my wife’s side.”
“And neither am I,” Adalynn snapped.
Rory told Nurse Cora that it was okay for us to stay. She examined her and then looked at Rory. “I’m sorry, but you’re already dilated to eight centimeters. It’s too late for you to have an epidural.”
“Eight centimeters?” I asked. “How did she dilate so quickly?”
“It happens, Mr. Braxton. Just a couple more centimeters and she’ll be pushing those babies out.”
Rory began to cry. “Another contraction is coming and I want pain meds! Ian, do something. Buy me some pain meds, baby, please.”
I put my arm around her as she screamed through another painful contraction. “Sweetheart, I would if I could, but I can’t. You know I can’t. We can do this together.”
“TOGETHER! Are you experiencing this much pain? Are you lying in this bed, ready to explode? No, I didn’t think so, buddy.”
“Right, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
“OH MY GOD, Ian, another one already!” she yelled.
Nurse Cora looked over and smiled at Rory. “It’s almost time. The contractions will start coming closer together.”
I went into the bathroom and ran a washcloth under cool water to place on Rory’s forehead. “Here, maybe this will help you.”
“Thank you. I love you so much, Ian.”
“I love you too and I’m here for you.”
Rory’s doctor walked into the room and examined her. “Well, it’s time. You’re at ten centimeters, Rory. Let’s have these babies.” He smiled.
Excitement poured throughout my entire body. Finally, my babies were going to be here. I took Rory’s hand and softly kissed it.
“Me and you are a team, sweetheart. We’re going to do this together. I’m going to be here to help you with every push and every contraction. I love you so much and you can do this.”