chapter 37

MARK

ITS now ten hours into her labor and Aurora is only eight centimeters dialted. The epidural that they gave her helped ease the pain. But it still bothers me to see her be uncomfortable. I was by her side holding her hand when Paul came.

"Hi Dad."

"Hey sweeite." he replied kissing her on her forehead. "Mark."

"Paul."

"Um, listen can we talk? In private, you and me."

"Now?"

"Yes. Please. If you don't mind."

I looked at Aurora. "Go."

We went to the end of the hall to talk. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For finally being the one guy that stood by Aurora since the first day that you two got together. You are the one guy that finally passed every single test that I put you through. Putting you into a storyline with another diva hoping that you two would get to know each other outside of the ring, hoping you would get into a storyline with Katlynn, and knowing that I would do anything to seperate you two. You love her?"

"I'm very much in love with her, Paul. More than anything. I'd do anything to make her happy."

"You know how I knew that she loves you? Wihout her even telling me?"

I looked at him. "How?"

"Because for the first time, out of all the boyfriends that she's ever had, which have been quite few, you're the only one that she's been willing to fight for. Because, you're the only one who she hasn't let get away. All the others ran off. Never even gave the relationship a second chance .That's how I knew that she didn't love them as much or love them like she thought she did. But the fact that she's willing to fight to keep you...she loves you. And the fact that you're willing to take anything that I throw at you to be with her...I know you love her. Thank you. For taking of my daughter the way you have. And thank you for loving her and making her happy."

"Does this mean that you accept me and her being together?"

He thought for a minute. "I'll accept it. I realized that I have to let her go someday. Today is the day. She's having a little one of her own. A family of her own. I need to let her go. It's not easy. She's my baby. My firstborn. It's never easy letting of your children. But I realize that you have to. Helps them grow. No matter how hard it is for the parent. It's what's best. And right now, what's best for her is for me to do that and let you two be together in peace. I know she's in good hands."

I smiled and we shook hands. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see my daughter."

AURORA

THREE HOURS LATER

MARK is standing right by me as I'm startingto get the urge to push.

"I need to push."

"Now?" asked the nurse.

"Yes. I want to push. Please. I need to push. Please."

"Alright, let me get the doctor and they'll start setting up for you to push."

"Please hurry."

"Aurora, baby..." said my Mom.

"Mom." I said giving her my hand. I was shaking uncontrollably.

"Aurora, you need to relax. I know you're nervous. But you need to calm down please."

"Mom, I'm scared. I just want to be a good mom to this baby."

"You'll be a great mother." added Mark. "I know you will. I'm scared out of my mind. I want to be a good father. We'll do it together." He gave me quick kiss as the doctor came in and started to get ready herself to deliver the baby.

"You ready?" she asked as she sat in front of me. I nodded. "Okay. Aurora, I need you to push as hard as you can until you hear me say the number ten. Okay? So when you feel a contraction, let me know and start pushing. Understand?"

"Yes." Mark grabbed my hand and I let my free hand grab the railing of the bed. "Okay."

"Push...1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10...Good job, Aurora. Keep it going, again..."

"Come on, baby. You can do this. Push." said Mark as I squeezed his hand as hard as I could. After a couple of more pushes, I was growing tired.

"I can't do this." I said out of breath.

"No, no, no Aurora. Come on. The head is right there. Just a couple of more pushes to get this baby out. I know it's hard. But you need to push. Don't give up. Push." I clenchd my jaw as I tried to unsuccesfully tried not to scream. The pain of the head coming out was to much. "You're almost there. One more time, Aurora..."

I felt the baby come out after the final push. They placed him on top of me as they tried to clean him off. "Congratulations. It's a baby boy!"

"Ohmigod." I said out of breath. They took him to finish cleaning him off and to weigh him and get his footprints. He weighed eight pounds with six bundled him up and gave him to Mark.

"Hey little guy...I'm dad..." he said letting the baby hold his finger. "Welcome to the world...you made it. Wanna see Mommy? Here."

I held him and started to feel my eyes fill up with tears. "Hi baby boy." I told him as tears streamed down my face. "I'm glad you're finally here."

"What are you going to name the baby?' asked the nurse.

"Mark William Calloway, Jr." said Mark sniffling. She smiled. "I'm proud of you baby. I love you."

"I love you, too." I replied as we shared a soft kiss. The baby cooed and my family came in. They all took turns holding the baby. I was happy. We both were.