"Yeah, they're fine. Got them right here. Hey, Gavin, don't chase your brother with that chain saw. " At Stella's horrified squeak, Logan's laughter rolled over the phone. "Just kidding. I've got them digging a hole, and they're happy as pigs in mud and twice as dirty. We got a baby yet?"
"No, they're checking her now. Last check she was at eight centimeters dilated and seventy percent effaced. "
"I have no idea what that means, but I'll assume it's a good thing. "
"It's very good. She's breezing through it. You'd think she had a baby once a week. Are you sure the kids are all right?"
"Listen. "
She assumed he'd held out the phone as she heard giggles and her boys' voices raised in excited argument over just what they could bury in the hole. An elephant. A brontosaurus. Fat Mr. Kelso from the grocery store.
"They shouldn't call Mr. Kelso fat. "
"We have no time for women here. Call me when we've got a baby. "
He hung up, leaving her scowling at the phone. Then she turned and nearly rammed into Harper. Or into the forest of red lilies he balanced in both hands.
"Harper? Are you in there?"
"She okay? What's going on? Am I too late?"
"She's fine. The doctor's just checking on her. And you're in plenty of time. "
"Okay. I thought lilies because they're exotic, and she likes red. I think she likes red. "
"They're extremely gorgeous. Let me guide you in. "
"Maybe I shouldn't. Maybe you should just take them. "
"Don't be silly. We've got a regular party going on. She's a sociable girl, and having people with her is taking her mind off the pain. When I left, David had the Red Hot Chili Peppers on a CD player and a bottle of champagne icing down in the bathroom sink.
She steered him in. It was still the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and David turned his camera to the door to snap a picture of Harper peering nervously through a wonder of red lilies.
"Oh! Oh! Those are the most beautiful things I've ever seen!" A little pale, but beaming, Hayley struggled to sit up in bed.
"They'll make a great focal point, too. " Stella helped Harper set them on a table. "You can focus on them during contractions. "
"The doctor says I'm nearly there. I can start pushing soon. "
He stepped up to the bedside. "You okay?"
"A little tired. It's a lot of work, but not as bad as I thought. " Abruptly, her hand clamped down on his. "Oh-oh. Stella. "
* * *
Roz stood at the foot of the bed. She looked at her son's hand holding Hayley's, looked at his face. She felt something inside her tighten, release painfully. Then she sighed and began to rub Hayley's feet as Stella murmured instructions and encouragement.
The pain increased. Stella watched the arc of contractions on the monitor and felt her own belly tighten in sympathy. The girl was made of iron, she thought. She was pale now, and her skin sheathed in sweat. There were times when Hayley gripped Stella's hand so hard she was surprised her fingers didn't snap. But Hayley stayed focused and rode the contractions out.
An hour passed into another, with the contractions coming fast, coming hard, with Hayley chugging through the breathing like a train. Stella offered ice chips and cool cloths while Roz gave the laboring mother a shoulder massage.
"Harper!" General Rothchild snapped out orders. "Rub her belly. "
He goggled at her as if she'd asked him to personally deliver the baby. "Do what?"
"Gently, in circles. It helps. David, the music - "
"No, I like the music. " Hayley reached for Stella's hand as she felt the next coming on. "Turn it up, David, in case I start screaming. Oh, oh, fuck! I want to push. I want to push it the hell out, now!"