Not to keep anyone waiting, here we go!
Chapter 21- She's Having A Baby
Lora
The squeals of tires stopping short brought me out of my latest contraction. I was panting when I looked up and tried to take in my surroundings. My door pulled open with a snap, and Randy's face was in my view. I wanted to assure him that it was okay, but another contraction hit me as I was stepping out of the car. It was so forceful that my knees gave way, and I fell into Randy. He caught quickly, steadying me on my feet. I rested my head in the crook of his neck as he guided me through the sliding glass doors. My teeth were gritted in pain, waiting for the pain to ease up. Another loud scuffle came from behind us, and I turned to see Elaine and Bob rushing into the lobby of the hotel. I tried to smile at them, but I couldn't gather enough energy.
A nurse rushed over with a wheelchair, after Randy exclaimed to her that I was in labor, and parked it in front of me. Randy and the nurse helped me into the chair. I was neither relieved or more uncomfortable. It stayed the same.
"How far apart are the contractions?" the nurse asked both of us, reaching for my chart that was ready in the filing cabinet.
"About a minute or two apart," Randy said, glancing down at me. "But I thought there was some kind of pre-labor she was supposed to go into, for hours maybe, before fast contractions and her water breaking."
I was shocked. As I listened in the rest between my contractions, Randy had taken in everything the teacher of lamaze had told us. I held my head down shamefully. "I did have pre-labor pains." Randy looked down at me in confusion, and I knew he was wondering why I didn't tell him earlier. "I didn't want to mess up your day with your father."
"We need to get her to an exam room immediately, to see how far along she is," the nurse ordered, and grabbed the handles of my chair and started to wheel me away.
"Wait!" I pleaded and the nurse stopped. I turned my head to Elaine and Bob, "Will ya'll call my mom? Tell her to get on her way as soon as possible; and my sister. Well, Randy, just give them your phone and that list we made of everyone to call. You don't mind, do you?" I asked them worriedly.
Elaine laughed and shook her head. "Of course not, dear. It's the least we could do. You just worry about yourself right now. Now, go!"
I smiled at them, and let the nurse wheel me away. But I kept hold of Randy's hand the entire time. I wouldn't let him go anywhere. Two hallways later, I was pushed into an exam room of my very own. Two nurses helped me stand up, as Randy stood silently watching on from the wall. My dress was pulled over my head, my bra was gone, and replaced by a hospital gown. My tights were removed, along with my boots. They bagged my clothes up, and handed it to Randy. I was helped up onto the bed, and a sheet was pulled up around me. I grabbed each side railing of the bed as another contraction hit me like a brick. My head fell back and I groaned in pain. I was trying my best not to start screaming or crying. Which is what I felt like doing. I hated pain, and had no tolerance for it.
The clink of metal met my ears and I looked down. The two nurses that helped me in bed were setting up the stirrups. I was instructed to put my feet into them, so I could be examined. It was almost as soon as my feet were set, the door opened and the doctor walked in. "So, I hear that you were trying to delay the delivery?"
He laughed, but I didn't. I was too worried that the contractions were coming too fast too soon. Dr. Williams rolled his seat in front of me, between my legs. I was doing everything I could to not pay attention to it. No matter how many times it happens to me, I would never get used to just showing myself to the doctors. His head disappeared behind the sheet curtain my knees made being up in the air. Randy walked over my side, and took my hand. He placed his forehead on mine, and forced me to look at him. I smiled softly, appreciating his presence here. I squeezed Randy's hand tightly, as another contraction washed over me. My eyes clinched closed, and I cursed softly. They weren't getting lighter; just stronger.
"Well, you are dilated to nine centimeters," Dr. Williams informed me, when he stood up from between my legs. He jotted something down on my chart before turning towards me. "If you have anyone in the waiting room that wants to see you before the birth, do it now. Your window of time is short. About fifteen minutes, I would say, before it's time."
"What about her pain?" Randy asked, worry lacing his voice. Dr. Williams rubbed his chin softly before turning to face Randy.
"We could give her an epidural, but I don't think it would do any good. It takes about thirty to forty-five minutes for it to take effect, and with her being ready to push any minute now, I wouldn't want to risk her physical ability to get the baby out on her own."
Oh God. A completely natural birth. Un-medicated and everything. And it was all my fault. I should've told Randy when I first started to feel pain. Or at least when the contractions started getting faster. I stared wide-eyed at Randy, seriously wondering if I was capable to do this or not. Everything seems so much easier when you are just pregnant, with swollen feet and an achy back. And I would gladly trade that for the pain I was going through now. That was nothing compared to this. I relaxed back on the bed during one of the rests. I looked up at the sound of the door opening. Elaine and Bob walked into the room. Elaine had the phone pressed to her ear.
"Yes ma'am," she said, nodding her head. "She's right here, you want to talk to her?" Elaine then held the phone out to me. I didn't know what she was doing at first, then she told me, "It's your mother."
I tried my best not to snatch the phone from Randy's mother. I didn't want to seem rude, but I wanted to talk to my Moma so bad right now. Yes, when I was scared, I went to my father, but when I was hurting or didn't feel good, I went to my mother. And right now was one of those times that I needed her. "Moma?"
"Hey baby. It's Moma. How are you doing?" Just hearing her voice soothed me by measures. I whined into the phone, feeling like as long as it was towards my mother, I was still allowed to be pitiful.
"This hurts," I moaned as I waited out another wave of pain. "Remember that pulled back muscle I had in high school? Yeah, nothing like this." My mother laughed softly.
"I'm not going to lie. It's not easy. That's why only women can do this," I laughed at her words, taking a quick glance at Randy, who was huddled with his parents. "But I'll be there as soon as I can. I'm running to pick up Zo, and we'll be there in less than two hours. I love you, baby."
"Okay, Moma. I love you too. See you when you get here," I closed the phone and handed it back to Elaine. A nurse came in then, taking Randy away, so he could change into some hospital protective wear. My In-laws stayed with me, with Elaine wiping my forehead of sweat and Bob getting me a cup of water. He also let me hold his hand when a contraction came. Something that I was grateful for. The door opened again, and in walked Randy, wearing a blue disposable scrub shirt that tied in the back and paper booties over his shoes. I had to bit back my weak laughter because he looked so silly. But I groaned when Dr. Williams walked in behind him.
"Okay, we're going to need everyone but the husband to leave. We are taking her off to the delivery room now."
Elaine kissed my forehead, and Bob squeezed my hand lightly. I, sadly, watched them leave. Because now, I had no other option but to do what the doctor told me. I was placed back into a wheelchair, and the same two nurses that have been with me all along, pushed and led me towards the elevator. It was a little crowded in there, with Randy, two nurses, the doctor and me in a wheelchair. Randy grabbed my hand when I started to moan through more pain. When we reached the room, there was yet another bed to lay, except this one was shorter, and the stirrups were already set up. The nurses lifted me up, and told me to place feet in. Then one nurse raised the bed so where I was nearly sitting straight up.
"Okay, I'm going to check your dilation again and see where we're at," Dr. Williams said, and his head disappeared below the sheet again. It didn't take him long to reappear and let Randy and I know the news. "Well, you are now at ten centimeters, and are ready to push as soon as you feel the pressure."
I felt like a fish in a bowl, waiting for the pressure he was talking about to hit me. The only one not staring at me out of the corner of their eye was Randy. He had his head pressed against mine, and his fingers intertwined in my hair. He never stopped the supportive words to encourage me on. Just when I thought the doctor might have been mistaken about my dilation, I was over come with pain. A burning sensation where there should never be one. I wasn't ready for it, and I let out a scream of pain. And I realized then what the doctor had been talking about. I had an over-whelming desire to push, a desire that seemed to come naturally. Randy had frozen beside me momentarily, not expecting that reaction from me. And I didn't blame him, because I hadn't lost control of my emotions the entire time. But now, I was starting to not care how I sounded. The pain made everything seem less important. The doctor seemed pleased with my reaction, and rolled his seat back in front of me. He snapped some fresh gloves on, and barked out orders for everyone around him to be ready.
"Okay, now, Lora, what I need you to do is give me a push, each lasting ten seconds each, on my say. Alright?" I nodded numbly, still reeling from the recent battle of pressure. A scrub nurse with a kind face was on my other side, dabbing my face a little with a wet washcloth, wiping the sweat away. "Okay, give me the first push."
I did as he instructed, and immediately wished I were somewhere else. I took a deep breath, clung tight to Randy's hand, with two arms behind, tilting me forward, and I started to push. Randy and the scrub nurse holding me forward. The intense pressure and burning feeling returned, and I couldn't hold back my voice. My chin was tucked into my chest, and a scream ripped from my throat. I lost track of time here. The only thing I could focus on was my growing annoyance everytime the doctor would tell me to push. I vaguely remember Randy speaking to me anymore. Every muscle in my body hurt from all of the effort I was exhuming. I couldn't count how many time I pushed, but I knew it was one time too many.
"Give me another push Lora. I need all you have. The baby is almost here," I collapsed against the back of the bed at his words. Sweat was rolling down my face faster than the scrub nurse could keep it off. Randy pushed the hair out of my face that was sticking to the moisture, while he held my hand, willingly let me near break his fingers.
"I… can't…" I whimpered. It was too much. It was all too much. "I can't… do it."
Randy leaned over, again pressing his forehead against mine for the numerous time today. A hard blazing look in his eye stared down at me. "Lora Orton, you can do this. You, and only you, are capable of bringing our son into his world. Coming from the business that I do, I can safely say you are the strongest person I know. And I've never been more proud of you. And it's only a few more times, and you'll have our boy in your arms."
I stared at him, panting in exhaustion. Slowly, as his words sunk into my head, a warm that had nothing to do with delivery spread across my body. Love. Randy's affect flowed through me, head to toe. I took a quick deep breath, and sat back up. He was right. Keith needed to me. And I wasn't going to give him. I re-gripped my hand around Randy's fingers, and held on to the bed rail with the other hand. With another deep breath, I bared down again, pushing with everything I had. My throat was hurting from all of the screams that I couldn't control. Ten seconds had never seemed so long in my life. Randy was counting out the numbers in my ear, letting me know when to start and when to stop. When the number, "ten", slipped from his mouth, I relaxed, resting my head against his.
"The head is crowning, keep up the great pushing Lora. Give me another," his told me. Crowning? That meant the baby was beginning to come out. Oh thank god! It was almost over. I pushed again, and this time, the pressure was at its most extreme. The scream was caught in my throat as I stared wide-eyed at nothing, still trying to push. The ten second mark slipped by and I grunted in pain, whimpering like a baby. "The head is out. Now, all that's left is one more push and it'll be over."
Just one, I thought. Randy kissed my lips softly and quickly, and encouraged me to go on. I readjusted my body in the bed, and gave it everything I had. All that I had left. Then there was relief. An instant relief that rushed all over my body. I stopped pushing so that I wouldn't miss it. Then, it occurred to me, that the relief came from the baby coming fully out. It was, indeed, over. I fell back against the bed, vaguely remembering the nurses rushing away with something in one's hands. The scrub nurse still patted at my sweat. My arms weakly rested at my side. My eyelids closed, and I was thinking that a quick nap would be the best thing in the world right now.
Until I heard it. A loud, rattling cry. It echoed throughout the room. I was instantly alert and sitting back up. I couldn't see him, because the nurses cleaning him off. But that cry. I could hear it plain as day, and as crazy as it sounded, it was the most wonderful sound in the world to me. My eyes watered over and I turned my head to look at Randy. He was staring in the same direction I had been, his mouth dropped open in awe. I tugged at his hand, and he looked down at me. The look in his eye said that he couldn't believe that our baby had just come from me. He let go my hand, just to use both of his to hold my face. Before I could react, his lips were on mine, with a passion that I had never known. And that was saying something when speaking of Randy. It made my heart skip a beat.
"Daddy, want to cut the umbilical cord?" Dr. Williams said, turning from the table where they had our son. Randy nodded his head softly, and walked like a zombie towards the table. I prayed like hell that Randy wouldn't mess up because he was in such a state, and cut the wrong thing. That thought caused a giggle to slip from my lips. Randy bent over the table, and the crying baby, and then just as quickly, he was returning to my side. And for the second time in my life, I saw Randy cry. It wasn't a lot, just a couple drops of moisture rolling down his face, but it was enough. Enough to make my own tears, that I was trying to hold back, break free. The shadow of the doctor coming over me, made me jump slightly, and stare up at him. He had a bundle of blue in his arms. He smiled down at me, and bent over. "Here you go. Here's Mommy."
My son. My little boy, my baby was finally here and in my arms. His little head resting in the crook of my elbow, and my hand under his bottom. My other hand gently caressed his face. He had a shock of vibrant red hair on his head, proving that he was my child. It covered his scalp and stuck out at odd angles. I could already see that he had Randy's ears, as I ran my fingers lightly down his face. A little arm came loose from the blanket and reached upwards towards my face. I examined his hand; five little fingers and five little fingernails. I moved my hand to his, and let him wrap his whole hand around my thumb. I brought him closer to my face, and kissed his forehead lightly. Looking down, I saw that he had opened his eyes a fraction of an inch, showing off his bright blue eyes that I knew wouldn't change. Because they were his Daddy's eyes. More and more tears rolled down my cheeks, and I felt Randy wrap his arms around me.
"So, have we decided on a name?" the same scrub nurse that had took such good care of me asked, holding what I assumed was the information for the baby's birth certificate.
"'Keith Edmund Randal Orton'," Randy said softly, and I could tell, from the corner of my eye, he never took his eyes off the baby. Keith cooed at us from his bundle of blankets. Every sound he made was nothing but pure bliss. His tiny face scrunched up, and his mouth turned upwards into a slight smile. I knew, by the baby books, that it was probably just baby gas, but it was still cute all the same.
"We'll need to take baby Orton to get his footprints and get his bracelet for him. And the new Mommy needs her rest," she smiled down at me. And at the moment, a yawn took over my face. She then looked at Randy. "We'll place him in the window on the newborn's wing. Anyone you want to show him too, just bring them by."
She bent over and scooped Keith from my arms. And I felt mildly empty. I watched her like a hawk as she placed my son in a clear plastic incubator, that looked like a tub. The paper that was inserted into the label spot on of the front said, "Orton, K.E.R." and beneath that read, "7 pounds, 6 ounces & 19 inches, 11:39 PM". My eyes started to droop as she carted my baby away. I couldn't believe that I had made it. That I had actually done it. I had given birth to Randy and mine's son. He was actually here, and healthy. The last thing I was conscious of was Randy's lips in my hair before I fell asleep.
oo
I moaned, stretching my arms out over my head. It took me a moment to remember why I was so sore and why my stomach had lost ninety percent of its bump. My hands ran over my stomach, and my skin crawled when I felt loose skin there, just piled up above my belly button. It would take weeks to get rid of that. Weeks I didn't have anymore, now that the baby was here. And with that, my eyes popped open, and I looked around the room. Randy was lying in the outstretched recliner, dozing off softly. I smiled at him, his face so peaceful. It was amazing, with just the one time I had with him, how much Keith looked like him. And thinking of my baby, I wanted him. I wanted him in my arms at all times. I tried to sit up in the bed, but I moved too fast, and I ached. Ached hard enough that I moaned out. As soon as the noise slipped from my mouth, Randy jerked up, looking around, until his eyes found mine. He smiled at me, and slipped from the chair. He gently grabbed my face, tilting my head back, and kissed me again. I could definitely get used to going asleep with his lips on me, and waking up the same way. He had better watch out; he was spoiling me.
"Where is everyone?" I asked, seeing the sun had set, and no light came through the blinds of the window. "Where's Keith?"
"Your mom, sister and brother, along with my parents, sister and brother are in the waiting room," Randy spoke softly, sweeping his fingers across my hair. "Keith is in the nursery, waiting for you. As soon as we get you into your clothes, I'll ask the nurses to bring him in."
I smiled at my perfect husband. He walked over to his chair and brought back a black traveling bag. He set it on the foot of the bed, and unzipped it. Randy pulled out a white button up shirt of his, and my favorite black cotton pants. He also had a new pair of panties and one of my new nursing bras. I had to give it to Randy for being grown up and mature about dressing me. He would have normally made a seductive comment, but he knew that now was not the time. Untying the gown, he slipped it from my shoulders, draping it across the head of the bed. I was now completely naked in front of him, as he stood behind me. He grabbed up the nursing bra, and held it in front of me, letting me slip my arms into the straps. He snapped the hooks closed quickly and walked back in front of me. Randy helped me from the bed, and he bent down, holding my panties. I braced myself on his shoulders, and he pulled them up into place. He did the same thing with my pants. I was semi-dressed when he lifted me back into bed. He draped the shirt around my shoulders, and I was able to button it on my own. I remembered at time, back after our wedding, that his white shirt wouldn't button past my bump. Now it closed completely.
"Do you want the socks?" he asked, holding them up from the bag. I nodded softly, and my heart grew against my ribcage at how he was taking care of me. He slipped the yellow ankle socks into place on each foot. He pulled the blanket back up around my waist. I admit, I felt much better now that I was in my own clothes. "I'll be right back. I'll get the nurse."
Before he could walk off, I grabbed his hand and pulled him back. He looked down at me, studying me. I smiled at him, and cupped his cheek. "Thank you. Not just for right now, but before. I couldn't have done it without you."
Randy smirked at me, before stealing a quick kiss and left the room. I laughed to myself, thinking that I was indeed, the luckiest person on earth right now. Randy returned before the nurse did. But at the sound of rolling wheels, I turned my attention towards the door frame. There he came. Still wrapped in his blue blanket, with a blue beanie covering his red hair. My baby. Our boy. Randy stepped to him, and lifted his son in his arms. He bounced him gently as he walked him to me. I held my arms out for him, and Randy handed me our boy.
He was just as perfect as he had been before. Nothing had changed, except maybe he got better. He got older, and stronger. Randy went back over to the bag, and brought out the sleeper we had bought to dress him in while we stayed in the hospital. It was white, trimmed in green, with green little frogs decorating it all over. The nurse stood to my right, with Randy on my left, and instructed me what to do. I laid him down on the bed between my legs gently. I unwrapped him from the blanket he was in, seeing the remaining of the umbilical cord on his belly button, that would fall off on its in a few days. I stared at his perfect form. His legs were plump, just like his arms, and he had all ten toes. I needed to change his diaper before I dressed him. I undid the latches of the one he was already wearing, and lifted him up by his legs and pulled away. The nurse handed me a fresh one, and I, again, lifted him up, slipping the bottom of the diaper under him. I pulled between his legs, and did up the latches. It was going to take some time getting used to diapering a boy. I had before, but not as often as I had a girl. Removing the beanie, I lifted him up then, and Randy laid out the sleeper, unbuttoned, flat in front of me. I replaced him on the clothing, and carefully pushed his legs into the footed sections. Pulling on his arms, I got both of them through the correct spots, and buttoned up the frog sleeper. Randy then draped a green fleece blanket across my arm and I lifted Keith, now fully dressed for the first time, into my arms.
"That was great, Lora," Nurse Kelly said, tickling Keith on the cheek. "But I do believe he's hungry. Have you decided on breastfeeding or formula?"
"Well, I'm going to try breastfeeding as see how that goes. I just worry about Keith not getting enough," I said, thinking about on the last lamaze class, where if you breastfed, you may not be giving your child as much as they needed.
"Trust me, they'll let you know if they still want more. What you could do is, give him everything you can, and if that's not enough, make a small bottle of gentle formula to top him off," she laughed, and I smiled at her. She then took Keith from my hands and told me to unbutton my shirt. I did as she asked, and then unhooked the cup of the nursing bra on one side, and left it fall. Kelly then handing Keith back to me. She positioned him where he needed to be, and guided him towards his food.
It had to be the weirdest thing I had ever experienced. I had been in painful situations, tearful situations and strange situations, but this by far took the cake. A gentle pulling sensation came from Keith's eagerness for food. I looked down at my son, which head full for bright red hair, his bright blue eyes staring up at me. It didn't hurt really, just a tad uncomfortable and different. Kelly said that once I did it on a regular basis, it would get better, and even start to be relaxing. After about fifteen minutes, Keith seemed to have enough and let go. I re-hitched my cup into place. Kelly handed Randy a little towel, to place on my shoulder. I laid Keith's head on my shoulder and bounced him lightly, patting his back. I had all of these instincts that I didn't know existed in my body. It was as if I knew just what to do. A thought that comforted me.
I handed the baby over to Randy, and re-buttoned my shirt as the nurse went to go get my family in the waiting room. I watched as Randy paced the room, our son in his arms. Just when I thought I couldn't love him more, this happened. Randy had given me the greatest thing in the word, and I loved him for it. And to watch him cuddle and care for him was throwing it over the top. Randy, Keith and I—we made a family. A small, but happy family.
A/N
That, was by far my favorite chapter to write. I've been waiting for this moment since the end of "The Awful Truth". And I hoped it lived up to your expectations! If so, REVIEW please!
KimmieCena, Xandman216, Queen Islanzadi, babyxbxgurl, xLou26, miamitravel, Eisac Namhort, undermyumbrella, alana2awesome, barnsley gal 09, littleone999, FireFlyFlicker, vipergirl86, Bingobaby, dreamin'BIG, jcilyx3, Christina89, Diivalover, Lil'MissCena, RICE20 and hardycenagrl You guys are amazing!