AN: THanks for the reviews everyone. Your thoughts are appreciated as always.
He bit back a curse as his shoulder slammed into the solid doorframe. His chest was rising as his heart pounded frantically. He shook out his hand absently, and the note from the nurse, now simply a wet mass, landed with a sickening flop on the floor below.
The sweat trickling down his forehead stung his frantic eyes, but he never noticed. All his focus was on the woman in front of him, that damnable, stubborn woman.
Her eyes were shut tight against the pain and Albus could see the trail of tears stream down her blotchy cheeks as the fading sunlight streamed through the windows behind her. Vaguely, he heard the other occupant say something, but his mind couldn't be bothered to understand.
He watched as her mouth opened, her chest labouring as she searched for the air she so desperately needed, but no sound escaped her parted lips. The worst seemed to be over as she slumped heavily backward into the mound of pillows, but she never opened her eyes.
He saw the way her fingers flexed and the fresh tears in the rumpled linens. The house elves would not be at all happy. He watched, fascinated, as the next ripple overtook her before he was able to force his legs into moving forward.
He almost groaned as his right hand rested against the impossibly taut muscles of her lower back and his left grabbed hers reflexively. She was hot, pulsing, as she realized he was there and squeezed his hand for all she was worth and was rewarded with a resounding crack.
She rolled forward into herself as the next contraction hit, but again she was silent. Her breath was shallow and fast, but her tears were faster. His heart broke as he watched her struggle. This was no time for pride.
Poppy looked up from her place at the foot of the bed as she heard the sheets rustle. Minerva landed with a gentle thud against his chest as the contraction passed.
She turned into the crook of his neck as he wiped the strands of plastered hair out of her face. He grasped both of her hands tightly as she lurched again, following her. With a final squeeze of her hand he turned his head. "Let go," he whispered. She screamed.