Kim arrived fifteen minutes later. Rachel had never been so relieved to see her in her life. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable having Eddie in the room, she was grateful he was with her and that he had been so caring and supportive. She wasn't going to kick him out and was happy for him to stay, but she could tell he was uncomfortable and felt helpless and she didn't want that for him. She knew he had offered to go and check on Bolton once Kim arrived to be respectful and to give her some privacy.
She had asked Kim to be her birth partner a few months ago. If she couldn't have Adam by her side, having her best friend was the next best thing.
Kim had agreed without hesitation. When she had, had Dexter, she had never felt so scared and wouldn't have got through any of it without Chris by her side. From the moment Rachel had found out she was pregnant, Kim had promised her she would be there for her. Being by her side when she went into labour and gave birth fitted into that criteria if that was what Rachel wanted.
When Kim had entered the room, her eyes immediately fell on Rachel. She was squatting by the bed, head resting on her arms, the gas and air nozzle hanging loosely in her grip. Her eyes were closed as she swayed gently. She was lost in a world of her own.
Eddie sighed in relief when Kim came in. She smiled weakly at him as he walked over to her.
"How's she doing?" she asked, lowering her voice
"She's... in pain, and... emotional, obviously. The midwife said she was five centimetres dilated" he explained
Kim nodded.
"Any news on Bolton?" she added
"Nothing yet. I was going to go and see how he was doing once you'd arrived. Rachel hasn't kicked me out or told me to leave, but I feel a bit helpless right now and I want to be respectful" he told her
"You go, I'll stay with her" she told him
Eddie nodded.
Kim moved towards Rachel, gently crouching down next to her. She watched as her eyes fluttered open, a soft smile forming on her lips. Kim smiled back at her.
"Hey, are you ok?" Kim asked
Rachel nodded tiredly.
"Thank you for coming"
"I wouldn't have missed this for the world, Rachel" Kim replied, rubbing her friend's arm gently
Rachel smiled, closing her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" Kim asked
"I'm ok"
"I was going to go and get you a change of clothes, but Eddie called just as I was leaving Mum's" Kim explained
At those words, Rachel's eyes shot open.
"My hospital bag" she mumbled
Kim frowned.
"What about it?"
"I need it, all her baby grows and my clothes and things are in there. I left it in the living room" she explained
Kim sighed. She hadn't thought about that. She had been planning to stop by Rachel's house and get her a change of clothes, but then she had gotten the call from Eddie to say that Rachel was in labour so she had headed straight to the hospital. She wished she'd thought to go and get her hospital bag.
Rachel groaned as another contraction started to build. She reached for Kim's hand, squeezing it tightly as she placed the gas and air nozzle into her mouth, inhaling it slowly. She didn't know why she was panicking so much about her hospital bag; she didn't usually panic like this. Maybe it was her hormones.
"Rachel, its fine. I'll go and get it after the baby's been born" Kim reassured
Rachel shook her head frantically, crying out in pain as the contraction peaked. Kim sighed, rubbing her lower back and holding the gas and air nozzle steady so Rachel could use it properly.
"Why don't I go and get it?" Eddie offered, sensing Rachel was panicking about it
Kim looked to Rachel as he said that. Rachel took a deep breath as her contraction tailed off. She looked to Eddie as she shook her head.
"I can't ask you to do that, Eddie" she mumbled
"Rach, I'm going to go and check on Bolton anyway. I can go and see him and then go and get your hospital bag" he reasoned
"You don't have your car" she pointed out
"I'll get a taxi to the school and pick it up, it won't take long"
"Rach, Eddie is offering to help, let him" Kim cut in
Rachel sighed, lifting her head to look at Eddie. She knew he'd do it for her if she asked, but she couldn't ask that of him. It wasn't his job or responsibility to be running around after her. Maybe in another life it would have been, but not now.
"It's not your job to be running around after me, Eddie" she mumbled
"I want to, Rach. It really isn't a problem. You need your hospital bag, I'll go and get it" he reassured
"Are you sure?" She checked
Eddie nodded.
"Ok, then. Thank you"
"Have you got your house keys on you?" He asked
"They're in my bag" she replied, moving to stand up
"I'll get them, you stay there where you're comfortable" Kim offered, standing up
Eddie smiled gratefully at Kim when she passed him Rachel's house keys. He turned to look at Rachel, who was staring at him nervously.
"I'll see you in a bit, Rach, ok?"
"Thanks, Eddie" she nodded