Chapter 14

"What do you mean your water just broke?" I exclaimed nervously.

"I mean our little session provoked our baby to come out 7 days in advance!" she said, irritated that I didn't get it the first time. I stared at her, shocked.

"Wha… really? Really? I mean, are you alright?"

"You idiot! Take me to the hospital!" Asuka exclaimed.

"Alright, alright!" I said, "Just let me freshen up first."

"WHAT?"

"What? We just had a session! I'm all sweaty!"

"Edo Phoenix! Take me to the god damn hospital!"

"Y-yes ma'am." I said, frantically putting my clothes on. "Hon, I feel icky."

She grumbled. "God damn it, freshen up. But make it quick."

"Give me a minute."

It took me twenty minutes.

"You idiot! I cannot believe you took a shower while I'm in labor!" she screamed. "Get me in the car! Now!"

"A-are you alright?" I asked.

"I will be once you take me to a hospital!"

- - -

We were on our way to the hospital. She was unusually quiet. I actually wondered why she hasn't been writhing or screaming in pain.

"Are you alright?" I asked her.

She gave me a death glare. "You've been asking me that every minute! I'm fine, okay? You're getting annoying."

"Well, it's just that… you're in labor and all-"

"-Here's the deal, Edo. The next time I hear you ask me that question, I'm going to slap you real hard just to show you how fine I am. Understand?"

I gulped. "Yes, dear."

Despite the fact that I felt threatened, I still felt nervous and worried and excited all at the same time. This was the day I'm going to be a father. The thought was so overwhelming.

"There's the hospital," I announced. I caught a glimpse of her shutting her eyes tight as if fighting some kind of invisible pain. "Hey, are you al-" I stopped, "-I mean, are you feeling any pain?"

"I've been feeling pain every 6 minutes," Asuka said, "but afterwards it goes away."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked her.

"You won't understand." She snapped. "Just grab me a wheelchair."

I followed her without question. I positioned the wheelchair just outside her door and helped her out the car. When she was in the wheelchair, I hurriedly took her inside the hospital building. I approached the front desk, getting all sweaty and nervous. "Hey! You gotta help me. My wife's in labor!" I said. The nurse in the front desk, who was on the phone, ripped a piece of paper off a pad and handed it to me.

"Please wait for your turn, sir." She said without looking at me. I stared at her in shock. Did she not hear what I just said? "My wife's in labor," I repeated, trying to keep my temper in check, "we need a room and a doctor now!"

The nurse ignored me. "Hey!" I growled, ringing the bell on the side of the desk continuously. "Did you not hear me, lady?"

The nurse finally looked up and stared at me, her eyes showing a look of disinterest and annoyance. "I'll call you back," she whispered, putting the phone down. "Can I help you?" she asked me.

I felt my anger rising. I tried to tell myself to be nice to the dumb nurse; for all I know, she could be the one helping out on getting my son out of Asuka. "My wife's in labor." I said again. "And we need some help here."

The nurse smirked. "First baby, huh?" she observed. The nurse shifted her gaze from me to Asuka. "How are you feeling, sweetie?"

"I'm fine," Asuka said with a smile.

"How long are your contraction's durations?"

"It happens every six minutes."

The nurse looked back at me. "Please wait 'till your number is called, sir. Take a seat over there." She pointed at a place where people were seated and patiently waiting. I grumbled. I can't believe it. My wife's in labor and we have to wait for someone to assist us? That's it. After this whole thing ends, I'm going to complain about the service in this hospital. I mean, this is just ridiculous!

"Alright," I said as I took Asuka to the waiting area. "Don't panic, dear. We'll get a room before you know it."

"I'm not panicking…" she muttered.

- - -

I couldn't take my eyes off the monitor that showed which number was to be served next. Every time the 'now serving' number changed, I took a quick glance at our number just to make sure that I was checking for the right number.

"Honey?" I heard Asuka call.

"What?" I snapped, not taking my eyes off the monitor.

"Can you please hand me your cell phone? I didn't bring mine."

I finally looked at her. "Who are you calling?"

"My brother," she said. "As much as I love your company, sweetie, I also want to be with an immediate family member by my side."

"Hey, no worries. I'll call him." I offered, bringing out my cell phone. It took about 10 minutes for Fubuki to arrive.

"Sis!" he exclaimed. "I can't believe it! So this is the moment, eh? Holy moly! I'm gonna be…" his smile broadened, "…an uncle!"

"I'm glad you're excited, oniisan." Asuka said.

"Excited? That's an understatement, my dear sister!" he exclaimed. He shifted his attention to me. "Yo, bro!" he greeted, patting me on the back.

"Hey." I said monotonously.

"Hey?" Fubuki said, confused. "What's up with you?"

"Ssh!" I snapped. "I'm trying to concentrate here!"

Asuka giggled. "Don't mind him, oniisan, Edo's just trying to focus his psychic powers to change the numbers in that monitor. That way, we're able to get a room faster!"

Fubuki let out an indignant gasp. "That's ridiculous!"

"I know!" Asuka agreed.

"Everyone knows only unicorns have psychic powers!" Fubuki said. "So don't even try!" He placed an arm around me. "Unless you're really a unicorn… are ya?"

"Oh, niisan!" Asuka laughed. "Don't tease him. He's doing the best he can to help. It's the least he can do for taking a shower first before taking me to the hospital."

"What?" Fubuki exclaimed.

I turned to the siblings. "I was sweaty!"

"Well so was I!" Asuka defended.

Fubuki sighed. "Edo. Chill, bro. Loosen up. Don't waste this once in a lifetime experience. Enjoy it while it lasts. It's not everyday that you get to experience this whole… your-baby-is-about-to-be-born thing."

I groaned realizing Fubuki was right. "Asuka, I'm sorry, honey. I'm just a little nervous."

She held my hand. "I know. I am too. But don't worry. You said it yourself, right? We'll get through this together."

I stared at her and softened upon seeing her beautiful brown eyes staring back at me in reassurance. I smiled. "Thanks, hon." We stared at each other, lost in each others' gaze.

And then there was silence.

"So," Fubuki said, a naughty smile creeping across his face, "Why were you guys so sweaty in the first place?"