"Thank you," Laura says as Mona hands her a cup of ice water. She pushes herself to sit up straighter before taking a sip out of the cup. Mona takes a seat next to the bed, resting her head on her hand as she yawns.
"You don't have to stay Mon," Laura says as she sets the cup down, scratching gently at the IV in her hand.
"I'm not going to let you do this on your own. I thought Bill was supposed to be back by now."
"He was getting a transport, but even the fastest one could take up to twelve hours, and it's been…" Laura looks at the watch on her wrist, "Seven."
"Well I'm sticking around, either until Bill shows up or you yell at me enough times," Mona teases with a grin.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you," Laura poses with a tired smile.
"I could always do with hearing it again."
"I love you - you're an amazing friend," Laura tells her honestly.
"Not just anyone would come watch you push a human out."
Laura groans, burying her face into the pillow she was clutching in her arms. Mona squeezes her arm supportively before starting to massage her back.
"Don't forget to breathe," She reminds as she moves her hands along Laura's spine. Laura takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, groaning again.
"Oh my gods I just want her out," Laura complains, her body curling in on itself.
"Soon," Mona tells her as she digs her thumbs into the small of Laura's back, "The last time the doctor came you were more than halfway there."
"I want Bill," Laura whines.
"I know. I wish I could get him here for you," Mona placates, pressing a kiss to Laura's shoulder as her body starts to relax. She looks up as she hears the door open, sighing happily when she sees Bill walk through the door, "Speak of the devil."
"Bill?" Laura asks, looking over her shoulder, "Thank gods."
"Hey, I'm right here," Bill says walking around to the opposite side of the bed and taking Laura's hand in his, "I'm right here."
"It hurts," Laura tells him, squeezing his hand.
"Haven't they given you a blocker yet?" Bill asks, smoothing her sweaty curls from her face. Laura shakes her head furiously and lets out a long breath.
"Don't want one," She tells him, letting his hand go as her body starts to relax. She sighs as she lays back on her back and closes her eyes. Mona sighs and pushes Bill out in the hallway since they had a break.
"Thank you, for staying with her," Bill starts off.
"Of course, she's my best friend," Mona says, smiling at him tiredly, "Zak is at school, the doctor just came about forty five minutes ago and checked her out, the baby is doing fine, she was at around 5 centimeters. She has water to drink and ice chips to chew on, but no food. The contractions are coming every 5 minutes or so. She can get up out of bed, walk around, basically do whatever she wants."
"Sir, yes, sir," Bill salutes. Mona shoves him in the chest with a grin.
"You are such a smart ass sometimes," She tells Bill before taking a look at her watch, "I already took the day off work, I'm going to go crash in the waiting room and try to take a nap, come get me if you need anything."
"Thank you," Bill says again before going back into the room. Laura sighs as she paces the room, much as she had the hallway the day before. Bill takes a seat on the edge of the bed, letting her walk for a while. Laura comes to stand in front of him, resting her forehead against his as she braces her hands against his shoulders.
"Good luck ever getting into my pants again," Laura whispers with a playful grin before closing her eyes against the next contraction. Bill wraps his arms around her waist and massages her back gently.
"You're doing great," He tells her, kissing her temple. Laura lets go of his shoulders before standing up straighter.
"How was your trip?"
"Good, unfortunately fortunately they're doing just fine without me," Bill smiles as he massages his thumbs along her belly.
"You were a great teacher," Laura tells him as she rolls her head around her neck. The two work their way through another hour of contractions before the doctor comes in to check on her. Laura was sitting on a large yoga ball, looking down at the floor as Bill massaged her back and neck.
"Bill, glad to see you could make it in time," Dr. Cruse says as she picks up Laura's chart, "Laura, how are you feeling?"
"In this scenario do I answer better or worse?" Laura muses, lifting her head from it's hung position.
"Unfortunately, I would have to say worse is what we're going for," Dr. Cruse says as she makes a couple notes.
"Then I think we're headed the right direction," Laura comments as she quickly inhales, closing her eyes and leaning into Bill. He kisses her temple and massages the top of her belly gently.
"How are the contractions?" The doctor asks Bill as she puts on a pair of gloves.
"Closer together, sometimes on top of each other," Bill answers as Laura relaxes. Dr. Cruse examines Laura quickly before tossing the gloves into a bin.
"Alright, you're hitting the rough patch, but once you get through that you'll feel like you're ready to push. I want you to get comfortable, but also consider how you want to deliver. I'm going to have a nurse get you set up and I'll be back soon okay?" Laura nods, lost in another contraction. Dr. Cruse pats Bill on the shoulder before hanging up Laura's chart again and leaving. Bill kisses Laura's shoulder, supporting her with an arm around her middle.
"Do you want to try a bath? I bet the hot water would be nice," Bill suggests.
"It does sound nice," Laura whispers.
"Let me get the water started," Bill tells her, kissing her temple again, "You okay to support yourself?"
"Mmhm," Laura nods. Bill helps her get balanced before walking over to the tub in the corner of the room, he starts the water, getting the tub filled before turning on the water cycling to keep it warm. He helps Laura stand before walking her over and holding onto her arms as she sinks down into the water slowly with a long happy groan.
"Oh my gods, that feels amazing."
"Good," Bill says as he takes a seat on the edge, continuing to rub her shoulders and neck. Laura closes her eyes and sinks into his hands, continuing to breathe deeply and thoroughly as her grunts and groans become more prevalent. The nurse comes in, rolling a cart with a few things before starting to prepare the room.
"Are you feeling like you want to deliver in the bath?" The nurse asks, laying some matts and towels down. Laura nods frantically, not feeling like she was going to move any time soon.
"Alright, sounds good," The nurse smiles and sets a few things down next to the tub before finishing up as the doctor comes back in.
"Gods frakking damnit," Laura curses, arching her back.
"Sounds like we're getting closer," Dr. Cruse comments, checking everything that the nurse had set up. Laura groans in response, tightening her hand around Bill's.
"We frakking better be," Laura comments through clenched teeth. The nurse takes a few vitals as Bill brushes Laura's hair back from her face and kisses her temple.
"You're doing great," Bill tells her. Laura leans her head into his hand, closing her eyes. Dr. Cruse hangs her white coat up before rolling her own sleeves up and donning a pair of gloves.
"This is all about you Laura, okay? Let your body do what it needs to and however it needs to do it," The doctor takes to her knees next to the tub, resting her elbows on the edge. Laura arches her back again, letting out a whimpering sob.
"Ow, ow, ow!"
"I know, just keep breathing, almost over to the other side," Bill shifts his position to kneel behind the tub, taking both of Laura's hands in his. She clamps down on his hands, crying out again as she lurches forward starting to bear down. She sinks back against the edge of the tub after a moment, panting with tears in her eyes
"I can't do this," Laura shakes her head with a whimper.
"Yes you can," Bill assures her, continuing to whisper supportive words in her ear as she continues to push.
"Just a couple more pushes, Laura," The doctor coaches. Laura digs her nails into Bill's hand, clenching her teeth and setting her jaw. She lets out a primal yell as she bears down, groaning as she feels every ounce of pressure disappear. Dr. Cruse reaches out and grabs the baby giving her a quick rub down before she sets her on Laura's chest.
"Here she is," She declares as the baby starts to cry. Laura lets her death grip on Bill's hands go, immediately cradling the squalling baby.
"Gods," Laura whimpers as she pulls her closer, studying her features, "She's perfect."
The baby quiets as Laura pulls her closer, looking up at her with lolling blue eyes. Laura leans back against the tub, dropping her head back against Bill's shoulder.
"I can't believe we made this," Laura whispers to him.
"She's beautiful," Bill says, kissing Laura's head, "You did an amazing job."
"We did," Laura says, stroking her fingers over her daughter's thick black hair and over her cheek, "Hi beautiful."
Dr. Cruse finishes up with Laura before letting the tub start to drain. The nurse steps over with a couple blankets draped across her arms.
"May I? We'll get her weighed and cleaned up while you get in bed." Laura nods as she lets the nurse take the baby. She looks up at Bill and kisses him gently.
"Thank you," She tells him quietly.
"Thank you," Bill tells her, kissing her head before standing. He grabs her bathrobe out of her bag and brings it over as the doctor helps her stand after telling her a few things. Laura shivers as she shrugs the robe on, clutching tight onto Bill's forearm as he walks her over to the bed, tucking the blankets around her legs.
"Do you want me to get you anything?"
"Um, water would be great," Laura asks. She reaches up runs her fingers through her curls and thanking the nurse as she brings the baby back over, wrapped up in a blanket with a hat on her head, inky black hair peeking out from underneath, "Hi princess."
Bill fills Laura's cup with water and holds it out for her to drink from. Laura takes a few healthy drinks before pulling back and thanking Bill. The doctor and the nurse bow out of the room along with Mona, leaving the new parents alone. Bill sets the cup down on the side table before taking a seat next to Laura in the bed and looking over her shoulder at the bundle in her arms.
"Did we think of a name?"
"No," Laura laughs tiredly. Bill laughs softly, shaking his head.
"What about Aurora?" Laura suggests.
"I think that sounds like a great name. She looks like an Aurora," Bill agrees. Aurora looks back at them with slowly blinking eyes, her mouth opening before she starts to root around.
Laura shifts her hold on Aurora and moves her robe to the side, helping her latch on. She makes a small sound at the back of her throat as the baby settles in hungrily and settles into Bill's side, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I'm glad you made it."
"Me too," Bill says.
"You were amazing…I couldn't have dreamed or asked for better support."
"You had the hard part," Bill tells Laura as he covers her hand with his, stroking Aurora's tiny hand with his thumb.
"I know, but still," Laura says as she kisses his cheek, "What time is it even?"
"Mmm good question," Bill says looking at his watch, "Little after five."
"In the morning?"
"Mmhm, sun should be coming up soon."
"Goddess of the dawn, indeed," Laura says with a smile as she lets Aurora grab onto her finger.
"How bout that?"
[TBC]