----
The contractions had come fast that morning, but they had decided to wait at home until they would get 'serious' so they took a seat on the couch, Olivia stroking her stomach, trying to cool herself and the baby down. Elliot just sat back and let her rest against his chest, knowing from experience that in times like these his job was to support his woman and nothing else. No advice, nothing, just be there. He didn't have much time to think further about it until his wife tensed up. Being a first-timer Olivia had no idea what to expect when it came to the pains - reading about it isn't exactly the same as actually feeling it, she learnt. But when the contractions suddenly came only five minutes apart, Elliot sensed they had to hurry. He'd helped her into the front seat to their car and then sped off to the nearest hospital. He watched his wife breath harshly. When the deep breathing turned into loud moans and later screams he started panicking. It hadn't been like this with his others... The lights turned red.
He sped off the intersection and was about to change gear when Olivia moaned "I think it's coming..." Alright, daddy Elliot had done this before, but never like this, not alone, not in his car, and again, not alone. Looking over a his wife, they exchanged looks of worry and fear. Damnit God! Why are you doing this to her?! Tears streamed down Olivia's cheeks and he could feel himself becoming even paler than when he'd started the car. He quickly stopped the car, got out and opened the door to the passenger seat, then gently put the seat down so his wife could rest somewhat comfortably against the chair.
"Want me to help you remove the..." he started. She closed her eyes and nodded.
He picked up his cellphone and dialed 911, stroking Olivias thumb while holding her hand waiting for an operator to pick up. The seconds felt like hours, but finally he got connection to someone at the central. "My-wife's-in-labour-she's-gonna-have-it-in-the-car-it's-her-first-time-what-should-I-do?!" Elliot yelled, feeling his hand being squeezed tightly. "Alright, take a deep breath. Even if you're not feeling like it at the moment, you have to become calm and focused, you don't wanna scare mommy-to-be, OK? Help is on the way, just try to stay calm and don't stress your wife."
"Yeah."
"Can you see---"
The conversation was cut off by a wail from his wife, obviously experiencing another contraction. Elliot put the phone down and, while gently stroking Olivia's right leg, looked down in between her legs, seeing the head of the baby starting to emerge.
"The baby's coming, I can see the head", he yelled into his cellphone.
"OK, listen to me and THEN put the phone down. You're going to have to catch the baby, support the head and then keep it warm for a few minutes. Don't worry about cutting the cord, just focus on your child. If she can, tell her to breath through the contractions, not push. The ambulance will be there within five minutes."
Before the operator had finished the sentence the phone was thrown into the backseat. He hurriedly placed a kiss on Olivia's forehead and looked deep into her eyes.
"No, I don't want to..." she cried, gripping his hand in hers.
They both knew it didn't matter what they wanted - the baby wanted out and it was about to happen at that moment. He firmly placed his hands on her thighs and opened her up. Soon... Suddenly she started to wince and he braced himself, ready to be the strong husband and guide the love of his life through this very new experience.
"Breathe! Pant through it, Liv!"
Olivia screeched and tried to relax even though her whole body told her to push. Hard. All while being terribly distracted by the ripping pains inside of her. Blood had already started to sip out of her, but she didn't know that - she was the one feeling the pain and all Elliot could do was to stand by and watch it. What he saw was amazing, his child making its way into his and Olivia's world. Their darkhaired child, he now knew.
Exhausted Olivia slumped back against the seat, tiny beads of sweat streaming down her face. God, she's so beautiful... Her face then contorted and the message was clear. Now.
She let out a blood curling scream as the head emerged quickly and literally tore her apart. The shoulders could easily slip out without being guided, meeting little resistance. Catching his son, THEIR son, in his hands Elliot looked up at his wife and smiled.
"It's a boy. A boy, Liv!"
She gave him a weak smile.
He was perfect. She was perfect. He had a perfect family. He carefully placed the crying baby in his pale wife's arms and hung up his phone.
Elliot could see the paramedics running up to them, but even though he knew he should probably feel relieved, he just sighed and looked down at his crimson stained shirt and then at his wife, her eyes closed, but her arms protectively holding their boy. Their love child had entered the world, but at that moment he just felt drained.