Everyone else was sent out and Amy was left at the mercy of the medical personnel. They helped her change into a hospital gown and into bed which had been set in a slanted position so she could remain seated. Zach, Stella and Victoria came back in when they were connecting Amy to the IV. They had been given protective clothes to wear as well.
A fetal monitor belt was wrapped around her waist to monitor her contractions and the baby's heartbeat. A blood pressure cuff was also put on her arm. Her blood was drawn to run some tests.
"We need a lab for this", a nurse told Suzy who looked to Zach.
"I'll get Skull to handle this. How soon do you want this?" Victoria asked.
"As soon as possible", Suzy answered before Victoria left with the sample.
"Is she not getting any epidural?" Stella asked a curious question when she saw that nothing else was injected into Amy. Zach and Amy looked at Suzy at the same time.
"Right. It all depends on them. Although you're in the clear for natural birth, we could use epidural injection to lessen the pain. Of course, it has its own risks on natural birth. But it's more effective on Caesarian birth. So.... I don't know. Which method would you like?"
"Which would you recommend?" Amy asked.
"Natural, no epidural", she answered.
"Are you sure?" Zach was worried. His heart felt like it was being squeezed by an iron fist whenever she underwent the pain.
"Yes."
"I've told Xavier. He'll be here soon", Victoria said as she walked in.
"Great."
Soon, the blood work results arrived and Suzy was pleased by how good Amy's numbers looked. She started monitoring Amy's cervical dilation. Amy felt like the whole labor process was going on for eternity. She wanted to get it over and done with. She especially wished for this when the contractions started to frequent. At this point, she started crying.
"You're doing great", Zach coaxed her with much difficult as he couldn't stand seeing her in pain. Still, he refused to leave her sight.
"It's okay, dear. You'll be okay", Stella rubbed soothing circles on her back as she stood on Amy's other side.
"Oh god!" Amy writhed on the bed as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Zach's brows were furrowed as he wiped her tears while she sniffled. He didn't mind the pain she inflicted by squeezing his hands that were holding hers. She had never experienced pain like that before. She wished she could rip off her stomach right in that instant.
"Zach, do you want to wait outside?" Victoria asked, worried when she saw that he too was having a hard time. But he shook his head. He would not leave Amy alone.
"Is she not ready yet?" Zach asked with impatience. He also wished for this to be over.
It had been hours, he lost count but knew it was very late into the night. Suzy shook her head no. She didn't need to check to know that Amy's cervix was not there yet.
"I'm sorry", Zach apologized to Amy. But she shook her head in response, unable to verbally answer.
Meanwhile, Xavier had finally arrived. Edmund had showed him to where everyone was. Richard and Henry were seated in the lounge close to the delivery room.
"You took long", Henry observed.
"I..... had something on. Why? Is the little one here yet? Boy or girl?" He asked excitedly getting his camera ready.
"Not yet", Henry showed no sign of fatigue though late it was. Richard however, was a whole different case as he yawned for the millionth time.
"Whose?" Xavier finally noticed the kid sleeping on the sofa next to Richard.
"Dr. Glynne's son", Richard said with a tired yawn as he stretched out his limbs.
"You might want to sit down. I think they'll be there for a while", Henry pointed to a seat.
Xavier silently sat down as he waited. He shot a curious gaze at the corridor leading to the delivery room. Stella and Victoria were taking turns comforting Amy. Zach only left her side when he needed to use the restroom otherwise he was glued to her side, whispering words to encourage them both. It was really hard for them especially Amy. The night was slowly disappearing to be replaced by morning.
"Ahhhhh!" She gave out a heart breaking cry and groaned in pain. "Zachery! Oh god! Oh!"
"Susan!" Zach barked, unable to hold himself anymore.
"It's okay Jen", she turned a deaf ear to Zach's outburst. She had learned to become unfazed to such situations. She peaked under the sheets and a smile bloomed on her lips. "She's ready. Now Jen I need you to push at the same time you feel the contractions. I know it's painful but you can do this. You'll push when I tell you to."
The medical team was quick assist Suzy while Stella and Victoria stood to the side, the former removing strands of hair from Amy's face and the latter holding her hand while Zach held the other.
"You can do this baby", he told her.
"Now. Push!"
Amy grunted out in pain as she did so with all the strength she could gather. Nevermind that she was in a vulnerable state, her focus was to get it over and done with. Her forehead perspired as she fell back on the bed whilst crying.
"You're doing great baby", Zach encouraged.
"Alright... Push!"
She lifted her upper body with gritted teeth and gave a hard push and collapsed back on the bed. Her chest rose and fell as she sobbed.
"We're right with you dear and you're doing an amazing job", Stella said as she wiped Amy's forehead.
"Keep going Amy. You're almost there", Victoria chirped in.
"Jen. I need one big push. Can you do that for me?" She didn't even wait for an answer as she looked at monitor and shouted. "Push!"
Amy took two deep breaths and launched her upper body forward as hard as she could. "Aarrrggghhhhhhh!"
She felt the baby being pulled out of her and her cry was drowned out by the sound of their crying baby. She breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed on the bed. Zach pressed his lips against her forehead immediately.
The umbilical cord was quickly clamped and their baby was placed on Amy's chest. Amy and Zach looked at the child and happy smiles graced their features.
"Congratulations! You're parents to a beautiful princess", Suzy said with a chuckle.
Stella and Victoria had tears in their eyes as they held each other while watching the new parents greet their daughter. Amy who was already crying sniffled as she gazed affectionately at her daughter who was also crying.
Zach placed his pinky close to the little ones hand and she grabbed it in a firm grip. He felt his eyes water from strong emotions and used his thumb and index finger to wipe his tears. He was finally a father. Amy had made him a father.
Amy looked at him with a smile and he pressed his lips against hers. Amy felt her inside churn as she could feel the strong emotions he was conveying.
"Thank you", he whispered and pecked her lips again. "Thank you."
Amy smiled before they both looked down at their daughter. It was as though their minds were in sync as they both said.
"Welcome to the world, Roserie."
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