When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark 4)

The nurse from earlier comes in and I’m near tears again. “This baby is coming out,” I warn her. “Get the doctor.”

“Let me check you,” she protests.

“Now,” I seethe.

Her eyes widen and she runs out in search of the doctor.

Xander stands at my side, and I can feel his nerves radiating off of him. He’s trying to remain calm for me, but he’s barely keeping his cool.

“You’re doing great, sweetheart.” He brushes my damp forehead off my forehead.

Dr. Hawkins and two nurses burst into the room.

He quickly gets his scrubs and gloves on.

“You’re ready to push?”

I nod. “Yeah, she’s coming quick.”

“All right, Dad, why don’t you hold her leg up and will get this show on the road.”

One of the nurses grabs my other leg and Dr. Hawkins gets ready.

“On your next contraction I want you to start pushing,” he tells me.

“I’m so hot,” I whine. My body is already drenched in sweat.

He says something to one of the other nurses and she heads out of the room.

“I feel one coming,” I warn, sitting up.

Xander tightens his hold on my leg.

“Push,” the doctor instructs.

I bear down and I totally and completely understand now why you’d shit yourself giving birth, because that’s exactly what it feels like you’re doing.

“It burns,” I complain, collapsing against the pillow.

“You’re doing beautifully,” Dr. Hawkins assures me.

The nurse comes back into the room and drapes a cold cloth over my brow. It helps immensely.

I push again and again and again.

“The head’s almost out,” Dr. Hawkins informs us. “Do you want to look?” he asks Xander.

“Don’t you dare,” I warn.

He looks anyway.

His face lights up and he looks at me with awe in his eyes. “She has dark hair, Thea. She has my hair.”

Before I can respond another contraction comes and I have to push again.

I know my labor is going faster than normal, but this shit is still hard. I’m exhausted already, but all I want is to see my little girl.

“Here comes another contraction,” Dr. Hawkins warns.