2.12 It's time
"Good morning, mama," Christian says as he wakes her with a kiss.
"Mmm," she moans, "I'm not a mama. I'm pretty sure I just have a watermelon in there, and it's never coming out." She sits up and swings her legs over the side of the bed. "Ooh, or maybe a bowling ball…" she says as she rubs her lower back.
"Almost done," Christian tells her.
"You said that last week. I'm just going to be pregnant forever. Maybe there isn't even a baby in there. Maybe I'm just getting really fat."
"You definitely have a baby, and he's going to be beautiful. Think of it as beauty sleep. It's not hurting him to stay inside."
"It's not hurting him, but it is hurting my back."
"I'm sorry. Are you ready for the performance today?"
"Yeah, I'm really glad the weather is going to be nice. I've never seen an outdoor performance of the Nutcracker."
"And no mace this year!"
"No mace!" she cheers happily. "I threw it out. I don't think I need it in Paradise."
"Good," he says as he kisses her soft lips.
…
"Michelle, why are you carrying that?" Fanny asks as Michelle carries a costume box.
"It needs to be in the car and it won't get in by itself," she answers smartly. They need to move all of the costumes and props to the amphitheater.
"Michelle, put it down."
"This box weighs nothing, I'm fine."
"Stop arguing with me. Go to the stage and start checking things off the list."
"Fine," Michelle says defiantly. "I'm just going to sit for a minute…" she says to herself as she takes a seat on a bench. She rubs her hands over her stomach and breaths for a second. Her heartburn seems to be acting up, and her back is killing her, more than usual anyway.
"Okay, baby. Let's get going," she says to her stomach. She drives to the amphitheater and starts to unload the boxes from the car.
"Let us get those," Sasha tells her as she waves the other dancers over.
"Normally I'd argue, but I'll let you today. I'm going to sit down. Let me know if you need anything."
…
"Michelle?" Boo wakes her softly.
"Yeah?" Michelle answers as she sits up. She fell asleep in the back of the car.
"We're ready to rehearse. Madame Fanny said to get you."
"Right, I'll be there in a second." She slowly makes her way to the stage, and Fanny is waiting.
"Are you alright?" Fanny looks concerned.
"Besides being exhausted and my back hurting, I'm great."
"Okay, well, go sit on the edge of the stage. I need you to stage-manage. They keep messing up their entrances."
"Sure," Michelle sighs. She starts to walk away and stops, grabbing her stomach.
"What's wrong?" Fanny asks.
"Nothing. Just some rib kicks. I think your grandson is working on his jetés."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I wish you'd stop asking."
"Okay, then get on the stage."
Michelle sets up a chair on the edge of the stage and sits. She rubs her belly and whispers, "Calm down in there, baby. We need to get through this performance without any mishaps."
…
Everyone arrives for the performance early, and the stage is set. The run-through went well, and the dancers are excited to show their friends and families their hard work. Michelle and Fanny greet the guests.
"How are you, Nanette?" Michelle asks.
"Great, Michelle. How are you holding up?"
"I'm hanging in there. My back is killing me."
"I believe it. Your due date was last week, right?"
"Nine days ago…" she groans. "I just want him to come already."
"He will. Stay strong, sweetie."
"Thanks Nanette."
"Time for places, Michelle." Fanny orders.
"Gotta go!" Michelle hugs Nanette and heads back stage.
"Places everyone!" Fanny announces backstage.
The dancers get set.
Fanny whispers to Michelle, "Ready?"
"I think so," she says as she wipes sweat from her brow. She really doesn't feel right. The lights are bright as she steps onto the bare stage.
"Good evening, everyone," she starts.
Nanette leans over and whispers to Rusty, "She doesn't look good."
"We would like to thank you all for coming out to this year's performance of the Nutcracker…" She suddenly feels a rush of warm liquid down her legs.
"Great, I just peed myself publicly," she says to herself. Her stomach suddenly cramps and she grabs it, doubling over a little. She hadn't felt any pain all day, just what she thought were kicks and normal cramping, but she is abruptly aware of pain in her lower abdomen.
Christian rushes to the stage and takes her hands.
"It's time, sweetie," he whispers, happy as can be.
"Are you sure?"
"Your water just broke in front of the entire community. Yeah, I'm pretty sure."
"Oh thank god, I thought I just peed myself," she laughs.
"Let's go," he says as he leads her off stage.
"Sorry, everybody. I think we need to postpone the performance. Michelle is having her baby!"
Fanny closes the curtains and the stands are full of happy chatter.
"Christian, Michelle," Fanny says as she rushes behind them, "I'll meet you at the hospital. I'm just going to finish packing things up here in case it rains."
"Okay, we'll see you there," Christian says.
"Oooooh," Michelle groans.
"Are you having another contraction?"
"Apparently," she gasps.
"Breathe, Michelle, breathe. It's only been a few minutes since the last one. I think you're in active labor."
"Aaaaaah," she moans, "No, I just started, how can that… Aaaaahh."
"You must've been contracting all morning. We need to get to the hospital now."
"The car's over there," she groans. Her contraction subsides and Christian helps her into the car. He tears out of the driveway and drives as fast as he can.
"How do you feel?" he asks while she doesn't have a contraction.
"I'm okay. I'm glad he's coming."
"Are the contractions still manageable?"
"Are you saying they're not going to be?"
"Sorry, but if you don't get an epidural, yes."
"They hurt, but I'm okay for now."
Ten minutes down the road, Christian tries to drive as Michelle crushes his right hand.
"Recline the seat," he says calmly, "it might help to recline."
"I can't move…" she whispers through deep breaths. Her eyes are shut and she is trying not to scream, but she's never been in such pain.
"That's it, I'm pulling over," Christian announces.
"What are you doing? We need to get to the hospital." Her contraction subsides, and she calmly lets go of his hand.
"Do you feel pressure?" he asks.
"Every contraction, but I'm fighting it."
"We need to get you out of that seat."
"Christian, what's happening?"
"You're in the final stages. We aren't going to make it to the hospital." He pulls the car over on a side road and gets out. He opens her door and helps her lie across the back seat.
"I'm going to call for an ambulance. Hang on," he says. He dials 911 and starts to tell the operator his location when she has another strong contraction.
"Christian!" she cries. She reaches blindly for him. He takes her flailing hand firmly and puts her legs up. He takes off her underwear as he talks into the phone.
"Yes, I have a woman giving birth. I'm an OBGYN. She's doing fine, but the baby is coming now, so we'll need a bus to take her and the baby to the hospital. No, you don't understand. We can't just get back on the road. She's crowning. Okay. 15 minutes out? Great."
"Ahhhhhh," she screams in agony.
"He's crowning, Michelle," he tells her calmly.
"What does that mean?" she yells.
"I can see his head," he explains.
"You can?" she asks sweetly. "Ohhh," she moans as she throws her head back.
"Okay, Michelle," he says to get her attention. "This is going to be hard, I'm not going to lie, but I'm here. Do what I say, okay?"
She cries as the contraction subsides.
"He's coming quickly. As soon as the next contraction starts, I want you to take my hand and push down. Do you understand?"
She nods with tears streaming down her face.
"It's okay, Michelle. You'll be fine, he'll be fine… Please stop crying."
"You're so wonderful to me…" she bawls. He leans over and kisses her. She places her hand on his cheek and is hit with another wave. She squeezes his cheek in her fingers and he squirms in pain. He frees himself from her strong grasp and grabs her hand. He pulls her toward him, sitting up more than she had been.
"Michelle, pull against my hand and bear down." She pulls with all of her force and he pulls back. She feels the baby descending. Her opening feels like it's on fire. She screams and Christian counts down from ten. He gets to "one" and she exhales loudly.
"Oh my god, it hurts so much," she cries.
"One more time?" he asks hopefully.
"Let's do it." She pushes with all of her strength. The contraction ends and she's still pushing.
"That's good, that's good," he says as he lifts his head up. "Wait for another contraction. The pressure will help get him out."
"I just want him in my arms," she says. "Can you just pull him out?"
"It doesn't work like that. Sorry," he kisses her forehead and wipes the hair out of her face. "You're doing so great."
"Thanks," she sighs.
"Here," he takes her hand and puts it on the inch of head that's poking out.
"Is that his head?"
"Yeah, do you feel how much hair he has?" Christian smiles.
"Oh my god… Hubbell Jr. I still can't get used to the idea of being a mom."
"Well you're going to have to get used to it pretty fast. There should be another contraction…" she grits her teeth, "now," he laughs.
"Come on, Michelle, push."
"I am!" she groans.
After another ten minutes of pushing, the baby still hasn't come. "Something's wrong," she insists.
"Nothings wrong, you're doing great," Christian tells her.
"I know something is wrong," she moans over the contraction. "Where's Hubbell?"
"He's coming, just push…"
"No, I need Hubbell. I can't do this without him."
"You can, you're doing it right now," Christian tells her. "I'm here."
The contraction is over and she leans back. She's so tired.
"I can't push anymore, Christian. He's not dropping down. There's something wrong."
"I think the cord is around his neck, Michelle," Christian tells her.
"What? He's choking?"
"No, his head is pink. If he were choking it would be blue. It's just holding him up."
"What do we do?"
"I need scissors. I have to cut the cord while he's still inside. As soon as I do, he'll come."
"I don't have scissors on me, Christian. Oooooh, here comes another one."
"Michelle, listen to me," he says over her moans, "don't push. The paramedics will be here any minute, and they'll have some. Michelle, don't push."
"I can't help it," she whines.
"Hey, look at me." She doesn't look. She closes her eyes and tries to bear down again.
"Michelle! Look at me!" She does, and he puts his hands on her shoulders. "You can do this, but don't push right now. It could be dangerous for baby Hubbell." She nods and groans, still wanting to push.
"Breathe through it. Breathe with me," Christian says. They breathe in and out slowly as the ambulance pulls up next to the car. They don't break eye contact until the contraction is over. Christian rushes over to the ambulance.
"The baby is being held up by the cord. I need scissors, now!" he commands.
"Are you a doctor?" one of the paramedics answers.
"Yes, an OBGYN. You can't move her right now. Just get blankets ready."
"Christian!" Michelle cries from the car. There are hardly 30 seconds between contractions now. Everything in her body is telling her to push. The paramedic gives Christian field scissors and he rushes back to Michelle. She's breathing really hard trying to not push.
"I'm here now, I love you."
"Get him out!" she moans.
"I will. Keep breathing." The paramedics come to the car and stand watching.
"What are you doing?" Christian asks, annoyed. "One of you get behind her and support her back, you give her your hand and let her crush it." They do as he says.
"I love you," she whispers. He smiles and takes the scissors in his hand.
"Okay, Michelle. As soon as I tell you, I need you to push like you've never done before. Almost…" he says as he pulls the cord from around the head. His hands are inside her. It hurts so badly. She wants to scream but can't because she's breathing so hard. He snips the cord and she feels his hands come out of her.
"Got it! Now, Michelle, push!"
She groans and pushes as hard as she can. She pushes her back into the paramedic supporting her. She screams as the head stretches her opening farther than she thought possible. She feels it pass the widest part of the head and the rest of the head slips out as her contraction subsides.
"Christian, I want him out," she moans.
"His head is out," he tells her. "Let him sit there for a minute, a contraction will come really soon."
"Pull him out," she says. Her legs are shaking.
"I don't need to," he tells her. "You're doing this right now. It's almost over. You're going to hold your beautiful baby boy in just a minute."
With that, another contraction comes, and she feels the pressure to bear down. She grits her teeth and lets out a large scream as the shoulders pass. Christian catches the baby as the rest of the body slips out. The paramedics jump up and grab blankets. Christian lays the little baby on her chest and she cries with joy.
"He's out," she says to Christian. "We did it!"
"No, Michelle, you did it," he tells her. She smiles and helps the paramedics wipe down the screaming baby on her chest.
"Ma'am, we need to take him," a paramedic tells her.
"Can't I hold him in the ambulance?" she asks.
"We need to check him out and make sure he's okay." Michelle looks disappointed.
"We'll give him back as soon as we're sure that he's healthy." She smiles and hands the baby over.
"He's perfect," Christian says. "The most beautiful baby I've ever seen."
"You're just saying that because he's yours," Michelle jokes.
"Mine?" Christian asks.
"I'm sorry, Christian, I didn't mean to make it awkward. I just thought…" she says to him.
"Michelle," he says softly. "I hadn't thought of him as my baby before, but you're right. I mean, not technically, but I'm honored to call him my son." He smiles and they kiss softly. "My son…" he laughs. They paramedics put Michelle on a stretcher and get her into the ambulance.
"I'll meet you at the hospital! Make sure you count all those fingers and toes!" Christian tells her.
"I'll count and kiss each one twice!" She says as they close the doors.
…
They get to the hospital and wheel her into the ER. Michelle is holding the baby. She has a paramedic jacket around her shoulders.
Fanny is waiting. She's frantic with worry.
"Michelle!" Fanny rushes over as she sees her. "What happened? I've been so worried!"
Michelle doesn't say anything. She just pulls back the jacket and shows Fanny the bundle in her arms. Fanny starts to cry and Michelle passes the sleeping baby to her.
"He's perfect!" Fanny says through tears.
Christian rushes in and sees the group in the ER. He goes behind Fanny and wraps his arms around her.
"Isn't he the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?" Christian asks.
"Absolutely," Fanny replies.
"She did great," he tells Fanny. "Not quite as planned, but the result is the same," he laughs as he kisses Michelle.
"Congrats Mama," he says.
"Congrats Daddy," she says back. Fanny looks up at Christian. She hadn't considered him as the baby's father either. Michelle sees her look and prepares for an argument.
Instead, Fanny holds the baby's face close to hers and says, "You are so loved. You have a wonderful mother, and a wonderful father, and another father you'll never know, but he loves you too."
"Don't forget a wonderful grandmother," Michelle says.
"Oh yeah, that too," she whispers.
…
Two days later, Christian helps Michelle out of the car. Her whole body aches. She slowly walks to her house while he gets the baby out of the car seat. He catches up to her, and he says to the baby, "This is your home…" as they open the door. The whole house is filled with Fanny's things. Half of her stuff is in boxes and the rest is thrown around the room carelessly.
"Fanny?" Michelle yells as she goes to the main house. Except for furniture, the house is empty. Fanny comes down the stairs.
"I didn't think you'd be home yet. I was trying to have it all ready by the time you got here."
"What are you doing? We talked about this. I don't want to kick you out of your house."
"You're not kicking me out. It's done anyway, so you don't have a choice."
"What's done?"
"Go check out my old room," Fanny tells her. They head up the stairs and Michelle cautiously opens the door. It's decorated beautifully. There's a wall mural of ballerinas and music notes. The light blue walls are bright and cheerful, and there are large painted letters that say "HUBBELL" across the top shelf of a bookcase. Michelle covers her mouth in disbelief.
Fanny enters the room and says, "You need to have a room next to him to hear when he's crying." Michelle thinks for a moment and realizes that Fanny means they need to move into Hubbell's old room.
Christian places Hubbell Jr. into the crib and they leave the room. Michelle leads as they enter the sunny room.
"Woah," Christian exclaims, "look at this view." He opens the glass doors and walks out onto the balcony. "I could stand here forever," he says as he looks out at the water.
"That's my plan…" she starts to cry.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"That's what I said to Hubbell. I haven't been able to come in here. We didn't even get to sleep together for one night. We had sex during the party, but then he died that night." The baby starts to cry and they stand still for a second.
"I'll go get him," he says. "You stay here." He kisses her forehead and leaves. She stands on the balcony and looks at the waves.
Christian comes back with baby Hubbell. Michelle is calm now. She motions for Christian to hand her the baby, and he does.
"This was your daddy's room," she whispers to the baby as she cradles him. "Now mommy and daddy are going to make it ours so we can be near you." Christian wraps his arms around his two loves, and they stand in a tight embrace.