Finally, the last month of pregnancy had arrived. The baby's room was finished, and everything they would need when the time came was ready. Near the front door was a bag with clothes for the whole family, diapers, scarves, gloves and hats for Morgan, pacifiers and everything else that might be needed at the hospital.
— Remember when I could see my feet? Because I don't. — Pepper said, looking down. The only thing she could see was her huge belly and the kitchen floor.
— Don't be dramatic, you look adorable. — Tony gave her a kiss on the cheek, before going to the fridge.
— Oh, I know that... — she took a lock of her hair loose behind her ear. — You're the dramatic one. I'm a lovely pregnant woman; and I would love to take a walk in the yard and then get a massage on my lovely swollen feet, which I can no longer see. — she handed the almond milk to the man, who put it in the fridge.
— And I would love to do that. — Tony closed the fridge and held the woman by the waist; then kissed her on the lips, and she responded willingly. But the woman soon left, and he got surprised.
— Pee. — she explained, leaving his embrace.
— Again? — he opened his arms.
— That's what happens when you have a human being pressing your bladder 24/7! — she said aloud, already hurrying to the bathroom.
…
It was mid-spring. The snow had melted, the flowers were coloring the whole place again. Birds sang in the trees. The river had thawed, and its waters swayed calmly. The sun was shining and the smell of grass was pleasing to the lungs of Tony and Pepper, who were walking in the garden in no hurry. Gerald followed them, eventually smelling the woman's blue dress.
— What happened to you today, huh? — she stroked the alpaca, when he sniffed again. — Are you trying to say something?
— He's not hungry, or would have eaten the grass already. — Tony commented, before drinking some water. Then he gave it to his wife to do the same.
— I probably smell different and he found it weird... — she drank the water, still caressing the animal.
— Don't drink it all at once, or you'll want to go to the bathroom in five seconds.
— Too late. — the woman handed him the bottle, and kissed Gerald before returning home.
— I missed the chance to take a picture of it, didn't I? — Tony stroked the alpaca, who snorted and trotted away from the owner. — Ok… — he found himself alone in the middle of the garden. Then went back into the house.
He sat on the couch, with the massage oil box in hand. Then he turned on the TV and started to zap the channels.
— Tony?
— Yes? — he looked back and smiled. — Hey babe. I got your massage oils. What do you prefer to watch? We have dozens of romantic comedies, talk shows and reruns from yesterday's series.
— Oh... Actually, I need to talk to you...
— It's everything okay?
— Yeah, everything is great! — the woman sat next to the man, with a huge smile on her lips. — Just… keep calm, okay?
— Your water broke. — that was more a statement than a question.
— Yes... — the woman smiled.
— Pep, this is... — he hugged her and kissed her on the shoulder. The woman hugged him tightly and let a few happy tears fall from her eyes. Then they finished the hug and he placed a kiss on the woman's belly. — Are you okay? Feel any pain?
— No, I'm fine… — she wiped away her tears.
— So let's go. Where is my wallet? — he got up and felt his pants pockets.
— It's in the bedroom. Mine is in my bag, in the kitchen.
— Okay. — he hurried out.
— Tony?
— Yes?
— Calm down. I haven't even had contractions yet. — she smiled.
— Ok... — he took a deep breath, and went after his wallet.
Before leaving home, they informed the hospital, family and friends that the baby was on the way; checked more than once if they were carrying everything they needed and if the baby seat was installed in a newly purchased sedan. Then they got into the helicopter without a pilot and flew into the city.
— Shit! — the woman shouted, when a contraction came.
— Come down, we're almost there. —Tony stroked her back.
— Don't tell me to calm down. — she said with closed eyes and clenched teeth.
— OK; so let's do what we do in lamaze classes and you don't kill me, okay? — he moved his hand cautiously to her belly, until he managed to touch her. He didn't lose his arm in the act, so he moved on and started stroking her. — Hey, Maguna. It's daddy here. You know, mom is going through a difficult time; so let's all stay calm and help her, alright? And, please, don't repeat the bad words she's gonna say. And there will be a lot of them. — he made the woman laugh. — Are you laughing or crying?
— Both? — she said confused.
— It's okay, you're doing great. You both are. — he continued stroking her belly and speaking calmly. In a short time they landed on the hospital helipad, and nurses approached with a wheelchair. Then they were taken to the bedroom, where they helped the woman to lie down on a bed.
— Fuck! — Pepper squirmed with the contraction even stronger than the previous one.
— That's how it started, right? — Tony joked.
— You son of a bitch... shut up... — she moaned.
— Sorry. Need something? Pillow? Sheet? Water? I would suggest caress, but you would strangle me in the next contraction.
— Water... and my doctor. — She said, trying to recover.
— Got it. — he walked away and pressed the button that called a nurse. Pepper's doctor appeared seconds later.
— Good afternoon, parents of the year! I bought a copy of the magazine that interviewed you. The photos were perfect! Who is the photographer?
— Friends, family and our robot. DUM—E. — Tony explained.
— Of course you have robots at home. Sometimes I forget who you are. Anyway! how is this big girl doing? — she positioned herself between Pepper's legs.
— Ready to go, I hope. — that was all the woman managed to say.
— I'll take a look, okay? — the obstetrician informed, before lifting the hospital clothes. — Oh, it's not the time yet. You don't have enough dilation. — she said, after leaving between her legs. — This may take a while. Until then, breathe and hold on. I'll be back in a few hours. — she warned, before leaving. Then a nurse came in:
— May I help you, Mrs. Stark?
— She needs some water. — Tony answered for his wife, who took a deep breath.
— Right. Would you like me to bring your lunch?
— Are you ready for some hospital food? — Tony teased with a smile, and his wife nodded. — We'd love to, thank you. — he smiled at the nurse, who then left.
The food wasn't that bad. And lunch wasn't the only meal the couple ate while waiting for the baby to come. The hours passed, and with time the contractions started to come stronger and more often.
— FUCK! — Pepper shouted, cringing and squeezing the small pot of jello served at dinner. The dessert ran down her hand and onto the mattress.
— Ok… This is the second in seven minutes. I'll call your doctor.
— Please! — the woman was visibly desperate with so much pain. Then the man ran out of the room, returning shortly afterwards, with the obstetrician right behind.
— Alright, it's time! — she said excitedly, after checking the dilation. Then she left the room and called some nurses, who immediately took Pepper to the delivery room.
Tony followed them, and after going through the sanitation process and putting on hospital clothes and a mask, he found Pepper being prepared to give birth. The woman practiced the breathing exercises learned in lamaze classes, while nurses connected her to the machines.
— Ready, Virginia? — the obstetrician asked, positioning herself. — It's very simple: breathe exactly as you're doing now. When the contraction comes, push. OK?
— OK... — Pepper said weakly, already feeling the pain approaching.
— Come on, Pep. — Tony said calmly, grabbing her hand.
— Push! — the doctor said, and the woman followed the order, screaming. — Well done, Virginia!
— You're doing great, honey. — Tony encouraged her. — Come on!
— AH! — she screamed with the newest contraction, and pushed as hard as she could. And in that sequence they continued for a long time...
Until they were able to hear a baby cry.
— She's here! — the doctor celebrated, holding Morgan. The umbilical cord was cut, so she took the girl to her parents. — Congratulations, mommy and daddy... — she said quietly, handing the baby over to Pepper.
— Hi my love... — she said crying, admiring her daughter. Morgan no longer cried, and her little eyes swept everything around her. When her mother gently ran her finger over her face, she made a baby sound that made everyone's heart melt. — Tony, she is so beautiful... — Pepper looked at her husband, whose eyes shone looking at his daughter.
— Welcome to the world, Maguna… — he took her little hand, and she reflexively squeezed his finger. — We're gonna have a lot of fun together, and give mom a lot of work.
— Please don't. — Pepper asked smiling.
— I love you two so much. — he put his free arm around Pepper, who leaned her head against his chest. And the two admired little Morgan until the nurses had to take the girl.