Two weeks later, Ashley and Robert were at home waiting. They were waiting for the baby to come. Ashley was exhausted and uncomfortable. Amy would come visit the couple a few times a week to check on Ashley. Gabriella and Everly had been visiting every day. Ashley found the visits comforting but she wanted to just be alone with Robert some days. One day, Robert walked into the bedroom and smiled when he saw Ashley laying on her side hugging his pillow. He walked over to the edge of the bed.
"Ash, how are you feeling, baby?" Robert asked kissing her head softly.
"Wake me up when this baby is out" Ashley said tiredly.
Robert chuckled. He walked to his side of the bed and lied down, so that he could look at his nine-month pregnant wife. Ashley looked at him.
"You didn't answer my question, Miss Cranky" Robert said.
"It's Ms. Cranky to you and I'm tired and my back hurts" Ashley said.
Robert smiled sympathetically.
"Is there anything you need me to do?" Robert asked.
"Don't let my mother in here anymore. I can't believe you gave her a key" Ashley said.
Robert sighed.
"Baby, we have talked about this. She's just trying to help" Robert said.
"I just want to be alone with you. She's driving me insane with all the talking about labor. It's bad enough that both of my sisters freaked me out. She doesn't need to also" Ashley said.
"I know you do. We have been alone. What do you want me to say to her so that you both can not argue?" Robert asked.
"Nothing" Ashley said breathlessly.
Robert sighed. He got off the bed.
"Where are you going?" Ashley asked.
"To call your mom and tell her to stop coming over here until after the baby is born" Robert said.
Robert left the bedroom. Ashley carefully got out of bed and walked to the kitchen, where Robert was.
"I'm just tired, Rob. I'm tired and everything hurts. I don't want to hear a verbal brochure about pregnancy, labor, or delivery from her. I just want you" Ashley cried.
Robert's face softened. He put his phone down on the counter and walked over to his wife. Robert wrapped his arms around Ashley and rubbed her back soothingly.
"I know you are tired and your body hurts, baby. I was just trying to have your mom around for support. If you don't want her here, then we can wait to see her until after the baby is born. I'm sorry for pushing it" Robert said.
Ashley sniffled.
"I know that you are all trying to help, and I appreciate it. But I just want you here with me right now" Ashley said.
Robert nodded.
"Then I will be. What about my mom and Ev?" Robert asked.
"They are fine. I just don't want people speaking to me like they are a brochure" Ashley said.
"Okay" Robert said.
That afternoon, Everly and Gabriella were at the apartment. Gabriella was sitting with Ashley, while Robert and Everly were in the baby's room making sure everything was set.
"You have a week left until the baby comes. Are you excited?" Everly asked.
Robert smiled and nodded.
"A little nervous too" Robert said.
"She will be fine. The baby will be fine. You will be fine" Everly said.
"I just think it's crazy that twenty-two years ago, you and East were my babies. You guys taught me how to take care of someone else. I just hope I don't screw it up" Robert said.
"Is this about dad's stuff?" Everly asked.
Robert shrugged.
"I think it's everything. I am becoming a dad for the first time. Not big brother Rob, who is asked to watch two kids for a little while" Robert said.
Everly smiled.
"We didn't die on your watch, so you must have done something right" Everly joked.
Robert smiled and shook his head.
"You are going to be the best dad in the world to this baby. Whether it be a boy or a girl" Everly said.
"Thanks, Ev" Robert said.
Everly nodded. That night, Robert was sitting up in bed, waiting for Ashley to come out of the bathroom. Ashley came out of the bathroom and climbed into bed carefully. She snuggled into Robert's chest as close as she could. Ashley closed her eyes and placed her hand on her bump.
"Ow" Ashley said.
Robert looked at his wife.
"What's wrong?" Robert asked.
Ashley squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath.
"Ash" Robert said.
Ashley continued to breathe and then finally relaxed.
"Was that a-" Robert asked.
"That was real" Ashley said answering his question.
The couple sat in silence for a minute.
"Should we go to the hospital?" Robert asked.
Ashley shook her head.
"They have to happen frequently. That was only one" Ashley said.
The couple started watching a movie. Five minutes into the movie, Ashley grabbed Robert's hand. She started to breathe through the contraction. After it ended, Robert looked at his wife.
"That was five minutes" Robert said.
Ashley nodded. An hour and a half later, Ashley and Robert had stopped watching the movie and were in the living room. Ashley's arms were wrapped around Robert's shoulders.
"Here comes another one" Ashley said breathlessly.
"Okay" Robert said.
Ashley groaned and dug her nails into her husband's shoulders. Robert kissed Ashley's shoulder softly and rubbed her lower back. Ashley breathed through the contraction. She then felt liquid running down her leg.
"My water broke" Ashley said.
"Okay, I'll get the bag" Robert said.
Robert let go of Ashley and walked into the bedroom and brought Ashley's hospital bag out to the living room.
"Alright. Before we leave, we need to call Dr. A" Ashley said as she was about to have another contraction.
Robert put the bag down and wrapped his arms around Ashley. Ashley wrapped her arms around Robert and moaned.
"It's okay. Just breathe, Ash" Robert said rubbing his wife's back.
Ashley breathed through the contraction. Once it ended, Robert looked at Ashley.
"Let's hurry and get to the car before the next one" Robert said.
The couple left the apartment. Once they were in the car, Robert called Dr. A. She told the couple to come to the hospital. Robert drove as fast as he could. An hour later, Ashley was in a hospital bed waiting for Dr. A to come in. Robert was sitting in a chair that was next to the bed, holding Ashley's hand with one hand and texting their families with the other.
"Everly is asking if you want everyone to stay home or stay in the waiting room" Robert said.
"They can stay in the waiting room, just not in here" Ashley said.
"Okay. I will tell her to spread the word" Robert said texting his sister back.
There was a knock on the door and Dr. A came into the room.
"Hi guys. How far apart are the contractions, Ashley?" Dr. A asked.
"Five minutes apart" Ashley said as another contraction came.
Ashley squeezed Robert's hand. Robert kissed Ashley's head softly. After the contraction ended, Ashley looked at Dr. A.
"I want to check your progress and see where we are at" Dr. A said.
Ashley nodded. Dr. A lifted the bedsheet that was covering Ashley's legs. Ashley spread her legs apart. A couple moments later, Dr. A looked at the couple.
"You are at a three. If the pain becomes unbearable, you can ask for an epidural" Dr. A said.
Ashley nodded.
"I want it" Ashley said.
"Okay. I'll get that in motion. In the meantime, try to relax and remember to breathe" Dr. A said taking her gloves off.
The couple nodded. Dr. A left the room. A couple hours later, there was a knock on the door. A doctor, who was in his late thirties came into the room.
"Hi Ashley, I'm Dr. Lee. I'm the anesthesiologist that will be placing your epidural" Dr. Lee said.
"You are an angel" Ashley said painfully.
"Deep breaths, baby" Robert said.
Ashley breathed through the contraction. Once it ended, Dr. Lee explained what would occur when placing the epidural. Within a couple minutes, Ashley was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding onto Robert for dear life. Robert kissed Ashley's lips, her cheeks, and then her neck in effort to relax her. Once the epidural was in, Ashley lied back down in her original position on the hospital bed. Dr. Lee told the couple that it would take a little while until the epidural took effect. When the couple was finally alone, Robert smoothed Ashley's sweaty hair back.
"Do you feel anything yet?" Robert asked.
Ashley shook her head tiredly.
"I still feel everything" Ashley said as another contraction hit.
Ashley breathed through the contraction.
"You are doing an amazing job, Ash. I'm so proud of you" Robert said.
When the contraction ended, Ashley looked at her husband and burst into tears.
"Hey, hey. Breathe, baby" Robert said.
Ashley shook her head.
"It's not a contraction" Ashley cried.
"Why are you crying then?" Robert asked.
Ashley took a deep breath and released it.
"I'm just scared" Ashley said softly.
Robert wiped a tear that was running down Ashley's face.
"I know. I am too. But, we get to meet our baby soon" Robert said.
"Promise me something" Ashley said.
"Okay" Robert said.
"Promise me that if something goes wrong, tell them to save the baby" Ashley said.
Robert shook his head.
"Robert" Ashley said.
"Ashley, nothing is going to go wrong. We know the risks. We know what can happen. You both are going to be okay" Robert said.
Ashley sighed. Robert leaned in and kissed Ashley's lips.
"Trust me" Robert mumbled.
Ashley nodded. Two hours later, Ashley was finally resting and sleeping. There was a knock on the door. Robert walked to the door and opened it slowly and saw Everly. He smiled and walked out to the hallway, closing the door behind him.
"You didn't have to come this late" Robert said.
"I wanted to. East should be here soon too. I also texted Eli and told him. He said that he would be here in the morning" Everly said.
Robert sighed.
"Thank you" Robert said.
Everly wrapped her arms around her older brother. Robert sighed.
"How is she holding up?" Everly asked.
"She's halfway. The doctor said that she thinks the baby will be here by ten AM" Robert said.
The siblings pulled away.
"That's good right?" Everly asked.
Robert nodded.
"How is she doing with the pain?" Everly asked.
"She got her epidural and is sleeping. But before that, it was painful to watch" Robert said.
Everly nodded.
"Are you going to stay here all night or are you going to go home?" Robert asked.
"I'm going to stay. Amy and Chris are in the waiting room. I can stay and wait with them" Ashley said.
Robert smoothed his hair back.
"I didn't know they were here. Ash doesn't want them in the room" Robert said.
"Do you want to go say hi?" Everly asked.
"Yeah, let me just check on Ash first" Robert said.
Robert opened the door to Ashley's hospital room and saw that she was still sleeping. He smiled. Robert then closed the door and looked at his sister.
"Okay, let's go" Robert said.
Robert and Everly walked to the waiting room and saw his in-laws.
"Hi guys" Robert said hugging them.
"I know that you both said that you wanted to do this on your own. We just wanted to see how she was doing" Amy said.
Robert smiled.
"She got the epidural and is now sleeping" Robert said.
"Did the doctor say how long she thinks it will be until the baby is here?" Chris asked.
"She thinks that the baby will be here by ten tomorrow morning. I think it would be best if you guys go back home and sleep. If anything happens, I will let you know" Robert said.
"Okay" Chris and Amy said.
Ashley's parents left the hospital. Everly looked at her older brother.
"Are you going to tell me to go home too?" Everly asked.
Robert shook his head.
"I just needed them out of here. If Ash found out that they were here, she would flip" Robert said.
The two siblings walked back to Ashley's hospital room. Robert opened the door and poked his head in. He smiled when he saw Ashley sitting up in bed.
"Hey sweetheart. Ev is here. Is it okay to come in?" Robert asked.
Ashley nodded. Robert and Everly walked into the hospital room.
"How are you feeling?" Robert asked kissing Ashley's forehead.
"I feel pressure when there is a contraction. But no pain" Ashley said.
"Good. Where did you go?" Ashley asked.
"When Ev came, I stepped out to talk to her" Robert said.
"You were gone for a while" Ashley said.
Everly looked at her older brother. Ashley saw that and looked at Everly.
"Ev, where did you guys go?" Ashley asked.
Everly took a deep breath and released it.
"You can't get upset" Everly started.
Ashley looked at her husband and sister-in-law.
"What happened?" Ashley asked.
"When I went to talk to Ev, she told me that your parents were in the waiting room" Robert said.
Ashley sighed.
"I went and talked to them. They told me that they just wanted to see how you were doing. After I brought them up to speed, I told them to go home" Robert said.
Ashley nodded.
"Thank you, baby" Ashley said.
Robert smiled slightly. Hours passed and it was six in the morning. Dr. A checked on Ashley and said that she was at seven centimeters. An hour later, Everly told Robert to go take a break and that she would stay with Ashley. Robert walked out to the waiting room and saw his parents, Easton, and Eli.
"How is she?" Gabriella asked.
"We are close. She's exhausted" Robert said.
"Did Amy and Chris come?" Troy asked.
"Yeah. Last night. But, I told them to go home. Ash didn't want her mom to stress her out" Robert said.
Everyone nodded.
"I'm going to go back and see how she is doing" Robert said.
Robert walked back to Ashley's hospital room. He walked in and smiled when he saw a very tired Ashley looking at him.
"How did you sleep?" Robert asked.
"Okay. It was a little hard to move around in this bed" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. He walked over to the hospital bed and sat on the edge.
"Did you sleep?" Ashley asked.
"Not really. I tried to" Robert said.
"Anxious?" Ashley asked.
Robert nodded.
"A little. My parents, Easton, and Eli just got here" Robert said.
"Yeah, Ev just told me that there is a big crowd in the waiting room. Maybe we should call my parents and tell them that its okay to come back since I am getting closer" Ashley said.
"Do you want me to? I will if you want" Robert said.
"Just tell them that they need to stay in the waiting room and that they aren't allowed in here" Ashley said.
"Okay. Ev, would you mind-" Robert started.
"Go. I'll be here" Everly said.
Robert smiled.
"Thank you. I'll be back in a few minutes" Robert said.
Robert left the room and called Ashley's parents and told them to come to the hospital. Half an hour later, Dr. A came into the hospital room.
"How are we doing in here?" Dr. A asked.
"I feel a lot of pressure" Ashley said.
Robert smoothed Ashley's hair back and kissed her temple.
"That's a good thing. Can I check you?" Dr. A asked.
Robert and Dr. A helped Ashley separate her legs because she was numb from the epidural.
"Take a deep breath for me, Ashley" Dr. A said.
Ashley took a deep breath and felt Robert kiss her forehead.
"You are at a nine. I'm going to get a couple of my nurses and get the room set up. You both will be parents shortly" Dr. A said taking her gloves off.
Ashley nodded and closed her eyes. Dr. A left the room. As soon as she left, Ashley opened her eyes and looked at her husband.
"Are you excited?" Robert asked.
Ashley smiled softly and nodded.
"I am. I just hope the baby is okay" Ashley said.
"You let Dr. A worry about that right now, okay?" Robert said.
Ashley nodded. Robert leaned in and kissed Ashley's lips.
"I love you" Robert said.
"I love you too" Ashley said.
Twenty minutes later, two nurses came in and set up the room for the birth and the baby. Dr. A came back into the room and did another exam and looked up and smiled at the couple.
"You're ready" Dr. A said.
"So, how is this going to go?" Ashley asked.
Dr. A instructed Ashley on what she needed to do. She then instructed Robert on what he needed to do. An hour later, Ashley had been pushing for a half an hour.
"You are doing so well, Ashley. The head is out. Dad, would you like to see?" Dr. A asked.
Robert looked at Ashley. Ashley looked at Robert.
"Just hurry" Ashley said.
Robert looked down and smiled. He the looked at Ashley.
"The baby has a lot of dark hair" Robert said.
Ashley smiled slightly.
"Okay, one more push and you will get to meet your baby" Dr. A said.
Ashley pushed one last time and heard a cry. She fell back against the bed and tried to regain her breathing. Dr. A placed the baby onto Ashley's chest.
"It's a girl! Congratulations!" Dr. A said.
Ashley started crying. She looked over at Robert, who was crying. Robert leaned in and kissed Ashley's lips softly.
"I love you so much" Robert said tearfully.
"I love you too" Ashley said tearfully.
"Do we have a name for this little one?" Dr. A asked.
Robert and Ashley looked at each other and nodded.
"Emma Hope Bolton" Ashley said proudly.