Chapter 8
Claire woke up in the middle of the night, feeling a sharp pain through her spine. She quickly got out of bed and walked around for a bit - It usually did the trick for her. She had been tormented by back pain for the last couple of weeks. But this time it didn't help at all, the pain kept rushing through her body and suddenly it felt like her uterus would explode. Oh god, you are officially in labor, Claire McLeod - At least she was pretty sure that was the case.
"Tess. Wake up" She said as she entered her bedroom. Tess didn't pay any attention to Claire, she was hard asleep. Claire clapped her on the leg, which made her wake. She looked confused - But as soon as she saw her in pain she knew what was going on.
"Omg. NOW?! Okay, uhm. You'll stay here and I'll go get Meg" She said and rushed out of bed. Meg was a good idea, she had been through this before. Claire felt her uterus make a twist again, followed by a sharp pain through her body - This was even more painful than she could ever have imagined. "You okay?" Tess said. Her face was full of pain from watching Claire in labour. "Just go" Claire groaned - She was really not in the mood for making conversations.
Tess came back with Meg, they were both still in their nightwear. Meg rushed to Claire's side, and asked how far along the contractions were. "How should I know?" Claire hissed - She couldn't time the contractions and be in this kind of pain, at the same time.
"We need you to get to the hospital now" Meg said. "Tess get some clothes on and help Claire as well. I'll run back to the cottage and grab a few things. We meet outside, ok?" Tess nodded as Meg ran out of the room.
Claire looked at Tess with soft eyes - the contractions were taking a break and she could finally breath again. Claire placed herself on the edge of the bed and watched how fast Tess got dressed - I don't think she had managed to dress this quickly before, she thought to herself. Tess made her way towards Claire and placed a supporting arm around her waist, so they could get back to her bedroom at get her in some clothes. Halfway to Claire's bedroom another contraction started and it made Claire groan even more in pain. This one was even worse than the others. Tess panicked, didn't exactly know what to do. "The ute. Just get me to the ute" was all Claire could get out of her lips - No time to get any clothes on at this point.
The stairs took forever for Claire and Tess to get down from, since Claire couldn't walk very fast and the pain in her spine, got more intense every time she took a step. They finally got to the ute where Meg was waiting with Jodi and Becky. Jodi was holding the bag Claire was supposed to bring to the hospital. Meg opened the door for Claire, trying to make it as comfortable for her as possible, but as soon as Claire had put one foot inside of the ute, another contraction hit her. The contraction made Claire bent over in pain, this was too much for her.
"You are doing good" Tess said while she rubbed Claire's back. "No no no NO!" Meg yelled. Claire looked up - Great. The ute wouldn't start, just what I needed She thought to herself. "The Merc. We take the Merc" Tess said. "You can't .. the motor is broken" Becky said. Claire frowned - This was not happening.
"How can it still be broken. I told you to fix it 4 days ago!" Claire snapped. This wasn't part of the plan. She should be on her way to the hospital by now. Another contraction were on it's way. "I .. Can't .. Do .. THIS" Claire shouted. Meg rushed to her side. "We need to get her inside again" Meg said and took me under her arm.
"Alex! I'll ride to Killarney. Alex can fly the chopper" Becky said and runned towards the stable. "Good idea. We'll be waiting inside - but please hurry" Tess said.
Claire's contractions were getting heavier and she already knew they couldn't make it to the hospital. She started to feel panic spread through her entire body - She was so not ready to do a home birth, no. Alex had to come and they had to make it to the hospital. Meg placed herself beside Claire, holding a cold cloth at her head - She was dripping in sweat from the pain. "Oh god, here's another one" she said and squeezed Meg's hand. She didn't say anything, she just kept patting Claire's head with the cold cloth.
"Mum! Look" Jodi suddenly bursted out. She sounded terrified.
".. We need to get you back in bed" Meg said. Claire didn't understand why, they were waiting for Alex, and he could be here any minute. She looked down at herself, and saw a puddle of liquid under her feet - If she weren't sure about reaching the hospital in time, she was now.
Meg and Tess supported her from both sides as they walked back to Claire's bedroom. As soon as they got to the bed, they could hear the chopper landing outside. Another contraction took it's turn in twisting Claire's uterus around and she screamed in pain this time. "It's okay. You are doing fine" Tess said and dried her head free from sweat.
Claire pushed her hand away - It felt really annoying right now.
"Claire?!" Alex shouted from the hall and run up the stairs. He looked just as terrified as Jodi sounded back in the kitchen. "We need to get you in the chopper" he said when he saw Claire. "There is no time" Meg said and asked Jodi to prepare for some hot water and a lot of towels. "Right. I'll take the chopper to Fisher and fly in the doctor" he said and turned away. "NO!" Claire groaned. "Stay. I need .. you"
He walked back to her and kneeled down beside her, so he could look her in the eyes. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere" He said and took her hand in his - He really meant it, this was where he was supposed to be.
Claire felt a lot safer with Alex in the room as well, he surrounded her body with peace and his voice calmed her down. "I wanna push" Claire suddenly said, still sitting on the edge of the bed.
"We need to get you in bed then" Tess said and moved the sheet. The next contraction Claire had made her whole body bend over - There was no way she would get in that bed, the pain were heavier when her spine was in an upright position. "I can't" she cried. This was too much for her, she really couldn't do it. All she wanted was to go to the hospital and get this baby out, in a magical way without any pain - but who was she kidding?
"Claire look at me. Remember the class? Wanna try the kneeling position" Alex asked. She nodded. He got up from the floor and found an empty suitcase in the closet, they could use for Claire to rest her upper body and arms on, when she pushed. Alex started to feel really overwhelmed by all of this, he wasn't prepared to do this - but as he saw how terrified Claire was and the pain she was in, he knew he had to do something. He had to be strong for her.
"I'll go find Jodi" Tess said and ran out the door. Meg nodded and got behind Claire on the floor, and lifted her oversize t-shirt up - The baby would be coming any minute now. Claire felt a little uncomfortable with Meg behind her, but the feeling soon got replaced by a relief of having her around.
"Look at me Claire .. I'm here" Claire looked up and got met by Alex's bright blue eyes. She instantly felt loved and protected. "Don't leave me" she said and groaned.
"I won't .. never" He said and smiled to her - He really meant it, no way he could ever leave her again. The contractions were getting heavier by any minute that passed by, and Claire finally got to a point where she couldn't help but push.
Tess and Jodi got back in the room with their hands full of towels and a bucket of warm water. "You are doing great" Meg said and reach out for a towel. "Breath .. Focus on your breathing" Alex said. An impressive amount of pain suddenly hit Claire - It came and went within seconds and she looked back at Meg and a gentle baby cry reached her ears. "It's a little girl" Meg said and wrapped her in a clean towel. Both Claire and Alex laughed and cried at the same time. Alex kissed her on the head. "You did it mamma" He said. Claire smiled at him - She couldn't have done it without him.
The moment Claire hold her daughter in her arms she thanked god, for giving her, giving them this little wonder. Tears were running down her cheeks as she kissed her daughter's little hand. She looked up at Alex - she couldn't believe they had managed to create something so beautiful.
"Baby's health is good, and mum is good too. You just need to rest now" Dr. Anderson said and got up from the bed. Tess had phoned Claire's birth doctor after the baby had been born, and she had driven to Drover's from Fisher as soon as she got the call.
Claire smiled at her little angel, her fingers were so tiny. She was just absolutely beautiful. "I can't help but stare at her .. She looks so clean and nice now. Nothing like when you pulled her out mum" Jodi said. Claire looked at her - Her baby was still as beautiful there as she was now. Tess had placed herself on the other side of the bed. "She is just perfect Claire" She said and played with the baby's little fingers. Meg joined them and Claire smiled to her - She didn't have to say anything, Meg knew what she was saying with the smile - Claire was grateful for Meg had been there to deliver the little wonder.
"Can I?" Meg asked, wanting to hold her. Claire smiled and placed her in Meg's arms and watched how proud Meg got - She was almost a grandmother now. How weird was that. Becky walked over to Meg and studied the baby. "She is so sweet" - Claire couldn't agree more.
Dr. Anderson closed her bag and walked back to the bed. "I better get going now" she said. "I'll walk you out" Tess said and got up from the bed. "I think you others should let mum and baby rest now as well. It have been a very hard night" Dr. Anderson said with a smile. "Yes, of course. I'll go make some breakfast for everyone" Meg said and gave Claire her little girl back.
When everyone had left the room Claire got to think of Alex. Where was he? He had vanished just a few hours after the birth, with the excuse he had something very important to do - he had assured Claire he would be back soon.
"I've brought you this" Tess said as she came in sight in the door. She was holding a tray with breakfast, but Claire really didn't have an appetite, she was too exhausted. Tess placed the tray on the nightstand and sat down on the edge of the bed. She stroke the baby's little head with her hand. "Have you thought of a name yet?" she asked Claire - But she actually haven't. Claire had been sure she would know what to call her when she got her, but nothing came in mind, at all. Beside, Alex should have a say in it as well. But for now there was one thing she could call her daughter, whether Alex liked it or not. "BOM"
"BOM?" Tess looked confused at her sister.
"Baby Of McLeod" she said and smiled.
"Little BOM .. I love it" Tess said and smiled back at Claire.
"I'll let you two rest. There is still work to do around here" and she got up from the bed. "Don't forget the fence in Skinny Jim" Claire said as Tess were about to leave the room. "Claire .. Shut up and be a mum" Tess said with her back turned to her - It made Claire smile and a small laugh escaped her mouth. Not long after Tess had left the room a small knock sounded on the door. Alex walked in, he was holding a little toy rabbit in one hand and flowers in the other. "What are these for?" Claire asked as he gave her the flowers. "Just for the most awesome woman on earth" He said.
He placed himself on the bed. He was feeling a little uncomfortable with Claire's breast almost hanging out. They looked at each other and Claire's mind was back at the birth. He had been so incredible, words couldn't describe it. For the first time in her life, she had felt really loved and cared for. I need him in my life.
Alex was busy looking at BOM and her tiny feet when he finally looked at Claire - He needed every inch of strength inside of him, to say what he was about to say. "Claire.. " he stopped for a second, if he did this there was no going back - no, he had too. It was time he confessed his feelings for her, once and for all. "Claire, there is something I want to tell you" she looked at him with the most caring eyes he had ever known. "You are the one thing in my life, that has always been real - The one person I've always counted on. You've always been there, no matter what and now.. " he took a short break. "And now you have given me the best present in the world - a daughter, a beautiful daughter" His eyes started to tear up, this was harder than he expected. Claire took his hand in hers, stroking it to comfort him. Alex placed his hand on her cheek and stared into her eyes - he had always loved her, why didn't he see it before now? "Claire .. I" he didn't get to finish before Claire interrupted him. "Alex. Shut up" she said - it was like she knew what he was going to say and somehow she felt the same. "Just kiss me" she finally said after a short time. Alex leant in to give her a gentle kiss on her lips.
"I love you" they said in each other's mouths as Alex pulled away, it made them laugh. "Is she done?" Alex asked, looking at his daughter. Claire nodded and covered up her breast as she placed BOM in Alex's arms.
"I know you might not like it, but until we find a name for her, I'm calling her BOM" Claire said in a firm way. "BOM?" he asked and looked at her. "Baby Of McLeod" Claire answered and smiled at him. "But she is a Ryan too?" Claire's eyes got big, she couldn't cope with the Ryan name at this moment. Alex laughed, she still had to get her way around things. "BOM is perfect" he said, knowing she was freaking out about the Ryan name.
Claire suddenly remembered Melissa - was he still with her? She started to feel sad, was he only saying all this because of BOM and the surreal experience.
"Alex - what about Melissa?" he turned his head to look at Claire - He already knew what to do about her. He was right where he was supposed to be, with the two most important girls in world.
