Thanks guys for the amazing reviews. This was originally only a one-shot, but your comments and reviews changed my mind :)
Sooo this chapter is the birth... since ive never had a baby i had to guess most of this lol...
Keep letting me know what you think :)
As fast as it appeared the pain subsided, before finally disappearing completely, once i caught my breathe again i realised that as i had clutched my stomach my panties had become wet and a warm liquid had drenched my legs.
"oh my god, i think i wet myself." i tried to hold back a laugh but failed as it escaped my lips. It came out more as a half sob, half hysteric laugh, making me sound kind of loony.
"Roza? Are you ok? Whats going on?" Dimitris voice sounded close to my ear, i realised i was kneeling on the ground, still clutching my stomach. I let out a few deep breathes before lifting my head and raising my hand, asking for some help to get up.
"Liss...Liss we need to get to the clinic. Now!" i almost yelled at her. I saw confusion and then realization register on her face and she was instantly in action, racing out the front door. Chrsitian got up just as fast, going to pay the bill for the meal we barely ate. Tasha just stood there staring at us with a look of shock and horror on her face, her wide blue eyes drilling into me the whole time.
Dimitri slipped one arm around my waist and helped me hobble outside into the refreshing cool air.
"can you walk? Should I carry you? Hes not going to arrive right this instant is he? We still have time to get to the hospital?" he spoke hurriedly, he sounded so flustered, like he had no clue what to do. He probably didnt, i doubt he would have been with many women as they went into labour. I chuckled as i watched his expression change from excited to confused to worried and then back again in a continuous circuit. I'd never seen his emotions so clear and so wild on his face.
"its ok comrade, im fine, just breathe." he looked at me with amusement, a wide smile spreading like wildfire onto his face. I could see the awe and excitement in his eyes at the prospect of seeing his child born. I held one arm underneath my belly, and the other against my back and waddled awkwardly towards the grey van that had just pulled up. Lissa swung open the door and flew out, grasping my shoulder on the opposite side to Dimitri as they both basically pushed me into the van.
I realised there were no seats at all in the back so i was able to half sit half lay on the floor, my legs bent as i leaned against Dimitri who had gotten in after me. Lissa sat at my feet, rubbing circles on the top of my knee, i could see excitement written all over her pale moroi face. Her jade green eyes dancing around the van in anticipation.
Christian suddenly launched into the front passenger seat and the dhampir that was driving pulled the van out and peeled towards the clinic. We actually werent that far but when your in labour, walking that distance isnt really an option unless you want to give birth on the side of the road. I laughed at the thought of squatting on the pavement, screaming my lungs out and then having a baby pop out. Christian turned to give me an odd look, but just as i was about to say something sarcastic to him a second contraction ripped through my body.
I clutched my stomach, lurching forward off Dimitri to try and ease the pain. I was trying to keep quiet, clenching my teeth together and squeezing my eyes shut. Rose Hathaway does not cry, i chanted over and over in my head. I started breathing like the nurse had shown me at my prenatal class, in in out, in in out. I focused on that until the pain finally disappeared and i fell back against Dimitri sighing loudly.
He pushed a couple of stray locks of hair off my forehead and ran a finger lightly over my skin. I closed my eyes and breathed, i was trying to keep the panic and worry, not to mention the fear, i was feeling pushed to the very back of my mind. I had heard far too many birthing horror stories while i was pregnant, i was terrified that this would become another one that people would tell to freak out other pregnant people. And the pain, i had been warned that without the drugs, the pain would be worse than anything i had ever felt before. I had told my doctor that i wanted whatever pain meds they could give me without harming the baby, he had laughed when i had told him, saying that the look on my face was far too serious.
The drive to the clinic was barely 10 minutes but just as the van pulled up outside the emergency department, i let out a cry. The pain seemed to get far, far worse with every contraction, i couldnt believe such an increase was even possible. Dimitri surprised me once more by grabbing my hand and giving it a slight squeeze, his way of saying i could squeeze his through the pain and that he was here with me. I glanced at him as the pain subsided once again, he had concern on his face so i tried giving him a reasurring smile.
To be honest, i still couldnt believe he was here. That even after he had only found out less than an hour ago that i was pregnant with his child, and that i had kept it secret from him for 9 months, he was still here and he wasnt mad or upset... that i could tell anyway, he was probably holding it in until later.
Lissa shot out of the van as soon as it stopped moving, leaving Christian and Dimitri to help shuffle me out of the van. They both moved slowly, barely even touching me for fear of hurting me, until Lissa was back with a nurse and a wheelchair. I raised an eyebrow at it, yeah id finally taught myself how to do that. But lowered myself onto it without comment and let the nurse wheel me away.
Dimitri and Lissa were right beside me as the nurse pushed me through the automatic doors and down the long white corridor, stopping outside a room on the left as the doctor opened it and signaled us in.
"Guardian Hathaway, we've been waiting for you." he smiled at me, helping Dimitri lift me out of the wheelchair and onto the uncomfortable white hospital bed.
"youre telling me. This kid sure picks his timing... made me miss out on most of my dinner, not to mention dessert!" i laughed, then quickly scowled as the doctor handed me a hideous light green hospital gown.
He grinned at my change in mood, "put it on... You dont want to ruin that gorgeous dress do you?" he had a point... I rolled my eyes as everyone stepped out so i could change. Who designs these stupid gowns anyway? its ugly and it feels like im wearing plastic.
Lissa laughed at my expression as they came back in, She moved straight over to my left side and put a hand on my shoulder as Dimitri stepped to my right. The doctor sorted himself out down 'that' end of me, he gave me the pain meds i had requested as well.
"Well Rose... it looks like hes in a hurry to be out now, your already 8cm dialted." He beamed, raising his head above my bent knees with a grin on his face.
I grinned back, "not fast enough Doc." i managed to get out before another contraction racked through my body. I gripped the sheets underneath me, lifting myself off the pillows and trying to sit so that the pain wasnt as bad, nothing worked, i felt a tear betray me and trail down my cheek as i let out a cry. Dimitris warm calloused finger wiped the tear away before i could, and he placed a reasuring kiss on my forhead.
"Your doing well Roza, keep it up." he murmured quietly. I lifted my hand and he took it, gripping it tightly as yet another pain took hold. It felt like they were coming one after another now, i couldnt get a break in between each one.
The doctor pushed himself away, called to a nurse just outside the door and as he came back he smiled again at me, "Right Rose, when i give you the go ahead i need you to start pushing, but if i say stop then try to hold it back ok?"
I just nodded with my teeth clenched. Dimitri rubbed soothing circles on my hand and Lissa rubbed my shoulder lightly. I gripped his hand as i felt another pain come on.
"whoa, he really is in a hurry...i can already see his head, Alright Rose, as soon as you feel another contraction i need you to push." The doctor said.
I looked up at Lissa then Dimitri as i breathed. She just looked excited bouncing slightly on her feet, but His eyes were wide and i could see the wonder in them, but i could see concern as well, he smiled a small smile as he locked eyes with me. He used his free hand to wipe some of the sweat that had formed on my forehead. I had to break the eye contact as i squeezed my eyes shut for the next contraction, as soon as the pain hit i pushed. A scream escaped from my lips as i did, the pain was surreal even after having pain meds.
"Good... good Rose, now stop and take a break until the next contraction and then do it again.." the doctor coached. He didnt need to tell me twice. I concentrated on breathing for a minute. This is it, i thought as the next one appeared. I pushed with everything i had in me, clenching my teeth together and squeezing my eyes closed. I felt it as the babys head and i presume shoulders pushed there way out and the doctor helped pull him the rest of the way. I felt so much relief as the pain disappeared, I fell straight back on the bed, letting out a huge greatful sigh. Dimitri looked so proud as he looked down at me, then he looked over to where the doctor had been sitting, a look of concern etched onto both of their faces, i was confused for a moment before i realised my baby was out... but he wasnt crying...
Thats when i realised something was wrong with my baby...