Chapter 12

Every minute felt like an hour, every contraction seem to never end, and felt so hot and bothered. And that was just Martin.

Louisa lay on her bed whilst tugging and pushing Martin in all manner of direction by the front of his suit. She always imagined she'd have a calm and peaceful birth, but the pain was just so intense; she had no option but to let out a cry every now and then.

'Martin. I've changed my mind. Take me to the hospital, I want a caesarean. Please!' Whilst being shoved and shook during every contraction, Martin just looked at her as if she was on another planet. Arnold of course, took charge of the situation; he knew Martin was in no fit state. Arnold's six months in Obstetrics 25 years ago, was about to become very useful. He was of course, not an expert in this field by any means, but he was confident he'd know the signs of a deteriorating Mum. And, amongst all the agony, Louisa was doing very well.

'Well done, Miss Glasson. The baby's head is crowning. Keep going' Arnold said so calmly.

Louisa felt as though this would never end and meant every word about having a C-section. 'MaaaarrrttTTIINNN! AAAWCH' She tried to catch her breath. 'You do realise this is all your fault, Martin.' She panted, 'You always know best. You're always right. Well, I've got news for you, Aaargh!'

Arnold gave a knowing look towards Martin and chuckled. 'Ok, breathe, Miss Glasson. Just breathe.'

She panted and was really trying her best to practice what she had learned at anti-natal, but instead surfaced with Martin being almost thrown around the room. Arnold couldn't stop himself from smirking at times.

'You know, Martin. I can't do this. I just can't do anymore. Take me to the hospital…..'

'Ok, Louisa, I just need one more big push and baby should be here. PUSH!'

She was exhausted and this last push took every ounce of might she had left, and finally, but gracefully at 1.05am, the tiny bundle arrived to meet it's new parents. Louisa took a breath as she realised her precious baby was finally here. The wait was over, and she had done it! She heard a little cry and within a second, Arnold held up the baby before snuggling him onto her chest.

'Congratulations. It's a boy!' Arnold was thrilled and Louisa just couldn't hold back the tears as she looked at this beautiful, gorgeous baby. She was shaking with joy as she nestled him.

'It's a boy. It's a boy! Oh, my goodness. Oooh! Hello!'

She couldn't believe it. She just could not believe it. She had a little boy, and he was just perfect. She couldn't have imagined a more beautiful baby; and he was hers! He was so tiny and wriggled in protest on Louisa's chest with his eyes wide open. And at that moment, for the first time, her life felt somehow fulfilled. It was as if this baby had instantly soothed her soul; every upset or pain or heartache she'd ever known, melted away. She couldn't take her eyes off him.

'Oh, aren't you beautiful? My baby!' she beamed. She turned to share her joy with Martin. But he was gone? Nowhere to be seen. 'Oh dear' Arnold laughed slightly; Martin had fainted by the side of the bed. 'Oh' Louisa exclaimed, slightly amused also- nothing could dampen her absolute ecstatic joy.

'Er. Don't worry about him, Miss Glasson. Perfectly normal reaction. You look after baby, and I'll look after Dad.' As he went to help Martin up.

She was taken aback, 'Dad'.

XXX

Martin returned to Louisa's bedroom after heading to the kitchen to compose himself and take a sip of water. He also wanted to give her a bit of privacy to get herself and the baby cleaned up and settled. He returned and what he saw, almost melted his rough, chilly exterior. He walked to them and perched himself on the bed. Arnold also knew how much of a tender moment this was, so he wondered off to the kitchen; he deserved a cup of tea, he thought.

All Martin could do was watch in complete admiration. He had no words to say, no quick remark, no comment he felt he needed to make; he just had a feeling. He watched as Louisa sat up in bed, absolutely beaming from ear to ear, cuddling and kissing her baby, like she was a born natural. The baby was wide awake and was now also recovering from his very speedy arrival. He was so calm and settled now, and just looked up at his Mum.

Martin was proud. So, so proud of both of them. They had done so incredibly well; unlike himself, he thought. Throughout the whole thing, he had no idea what to do with himself, or where to be, or anything. But Louisa did brilliantly, she always did.

'Martin' Louisa whispered, 'Do you want to hold him?'

Another wave of terror washed over him. His eyes as wide as saucers, 'Eerrm eer. No.'

Louisa looked at him.

'Eer, I mean, he's a baby. I'm not specifically trained in paediatrics, eerm…'

'You don't need to be trained. I'm not trained. You're not his doctor, you're his dad.' She said softly, knowing that Martin was just worried and apprehensive.

Martin reached out to pick him up, and there he was. Martin was shocked, overwhelmed, but he felt something else too. He looked at the baby, his baby, and couldn't quite believe it. All those weeks of wondering and worrying, and being generally terrified, and now here he was, snuggling into his arm. A tiny human that was completely unexpected, that he and Louisa had created unknowingly, was now here and he was perfect!

It was at that moment; he made an unsaid promise to his baby. 'Whatever happens, I wont let you down.'