As always, thank you!
Chapter 10
Anna breathed through a contraction as she watched her wife pace back and forth in front of the door, glancing through the small window every time she passed it.
"Will you sit down next to me?" Anna asked. Mary stopped her pacing and smiled with a nod before walking over to sit on the side of the bed. She grabbed Anna's hand and held it tightly.
"I just don't understand why the doctor isn't here, yet."
"It takes time," Anna reminded her. "The doctor will come when it's time to deliver."
"I think someone should be with you every step of the way," Mary huffed. Anna giggled before bringing Mary's hand up to her lips to kiss her knuckles.
"You're here every step of the way."
"Of course, I am, darling."
"And you called everyone?"
"Yes," Mary said.
"Your parents?"
"Yes."
"Your sisters?"
"Yes, I even called Edith. I love you that much, Anna," Mary added with a cheeky roll of her eyes.
"What about John?"
"Bates was the first one I called. He said he would be here once he was done at work. I told him he didn't have to come, but he insisted."
"That's kind of him," Anna said. She felt another contraction start and winced.
"Oh, I hate seeing you in so much pain. Are you sure you won't let me convince you to have an epidural?"
"I don't want one," Anna breathed. Finally, the contraction settled and she was able to lie back against the pillows. "Do you have his gift?"
"Hum?" Mary began adjusting the covers around Anna in a nervous sort of way.
"For John?"
"Oh, yes. It was already in the hospital bag."
"Good."
Mary kept adjusting and switching things around. Her nervous energy was making Anna feel anxious. Anna reached forward and grabbed Mary's hands, stilling them in her own. Then they met eyes.
"It's going to be all right," Anna said. "In just a little while, you'll be holding our little girl."
Mary's face softened.
"I know. Hospitals have always made me nervous, Anna. Last time we were here, we were worried you were going to lose the baby. Before that, Papa had his ulcer burst."
"But today we're here for a joyous occasion."
"We are," Mary agreed. "I don't like seeing you in pain, darling. I wish I could take it from you."
"You can have the next one," Anna teased.
"Ha. Ha," Mary deadpanned. "You know that isn't happening."
Anna closed her eyes and rested her head back. She was already tired and it hadn't even gotten to the hard part yet. She felt Mary run her fingers through her hair which helped her relax.
"I love you," Anna whispered.
"And I love you."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"Any updates?" Cora asked, entering the room. Mary shook her head. Anna had fallen asleep, though it was far from restful.
"They should be coming in to check on her soon," Mary answered. "Does it always take this long?"
"I'm afraid so, and sometimes even longer. You took nearly 36 hours."
"Good god!" Mary clutched her hand over her heart, grateful again that Anna was the one having the baby and also glad she'd chosen never to give birth.
"The end result was worth it," Cora said, bringing her arm around Mary's shoulders. "You're going to be an amazing mother, Mary."
"Of course, I am." Mary sucked in a breath, thinking of all the fears she had about becoming a mother. She was excited, but also terrified of screwing it up. She was so grateful for Anna because she knew Anna would know how to do it all.
Cora chuckled. "That little girl is going to be so lucky. Just you see." She kissed Mary's cheek. "I'll go back to the waiting room with your father and your sisters. If you or Anna need me, let me know."
Mary nodded and watched her mother leave the room. She made her way back over to Anna and sat down in the chair beside her. They'd spoken about having her mother in the room for the birth, but in the end, decided they wanted it just to be the two of them when they became mums.
"Hey," Anna whispered.
"Hey."
"I can't sleep," Anna said. "The contractions are getting closer together. I think I need to stand."
"Okay." Mary helped Anna up. She stood and bent forward, resting her elbows on the bed so Mary could rub her lower back. "You're marvelous, darling."
"We'll see if you still feel that way when this is over."
Anna tensed and arched her back. "I am ready for the baby to be out now."
"Not too much longer, darling."
-X-X-X-X-X-
Mary had been right. It was almost an hour later when their daughter came into the world with a loud cry.
"Strong lungs!" The doctor announced. She placed the baby into Anna's arms. Mary couldn't believe it. She was here. Their daughter was here. She brought her finger down to the baby's cheek and stroked it while giving Anna a kiss.
"Oh darling, she's perfect!"
"And she's here," Anna said with a happy, but exhausted smile. "We have a daughter."
"We do. Oh, Anna!" Mary's smile grew. She'd never felt this overjoyed in her lifetime as she did now looking down at her wife and daughter.
"Take her," Anna said a moment later. She reached forward, nearly shoving the baby into Mary's arms. As Mary took the baby into her arms, she saw the panic on Anna's features. "Take her," Anna repeated, her face turning as white as a sheet.
"Anna? Darling?"
Before Mary knew what was happening, Anna's eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell back.
"Anna!"
Everything happened like a blur. The doctor was between Anna's legs saying something Mary didn't understand to the nurses. But Mary did understand the blood now seeping all over the blanket above Anna's middle.
"What's happening?" Mary asked. "Anna? Darling!"
"Why don't you come and sit over here," a nurse said to her. Mary numbly allowed herself to be moved to a rocking chair. She held her daughter close to her chest while her eyes never left her wife.
"I can't control the bleeding," the doctor said to someone. Mary felt her heart tighten in her chest.
"We're going to have to take your wife for surgery," someone told Mary.
"But she…."
Anna was being wheeled out of the room.
"Will she be all right?"
"The doctor is very skilled at what she's doing. They have to find the cause of the bleeding and stop it."
Mary blinked. She felt hot tears slide down her cheek. Then she heard a coo and glanced down at the baby girl in her arms.
"Oh," she whispered, her lips curling into a solemn smile. "Look at that, your mummy was right. You are a Zoey, aren't you?" Silent tears continued to fall down her cheeks as she rocked her baby girl and waited to hear news about her wife.
To be continued...
