Memories Of Her-Ch 18
When Penelope was situated in the bed everybody but Penelope, Derek, Shannon and the rest of the medical team left the room so that Shannon could see how Penelope's labor was progressing and so they could find out how much longer until the baby would make his or her entrance into the world.
Shannon said, "how far along are you Penelope?", she said, "about 7 1/2 months, is the baby alright, please tell me that the baby is alright", Shannon looked at the machine and watched at the babies heartbeat and saw that it was in no distress, she then checked Penelope and then said, "alright Penelope you are fully dilated and ready to deliver".
Derek said, "sweetness how long have you been in labor?", she said, "I've had a few cramps this morning but nothing to make me think that I was in labor", Shannon said, "with everything that you've been through lately, especially the past week or so it has brought on early labor for you but don't worry the baby is fine".
Penelope said, "really?", Shannon said, "yes really", she pointed to the fetal monitor and said, "see, the heart rate is great and it looks like you", Penelope squeezed Derek's hand and said, "ohhhhhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyyyyyyy belts and garterssssssssssssss" as the contraction racked her body.
When the contraction passed Shannon said, "oh yeah, you're ready", she then pushed up the sheet and said, "Penelope on the next contraction I want you to push just like you did with the last contraction, okay?", she said, "okayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy" as another contraction hit and hit hard.
Derek looked down at his wife and his heart both broke and was bursting with proud, his heart was breaking because of the amount of pain his wife was in but proud because he was getting to watch his child being brought into the world and for a while he was afraid that he was going to miss this chance.
Out in the hallway the family were sitting and waiting patiently for news of the newest family members birth, Dave sat holding his wife's hand as he said, "well Bella, in a few minutes you are going to be a grandma, are you ready for that?", she said, "ohhhh I've been ready for this for a long long time".
Sarah said, "yeah, momma has dreamed of grandbabies since the three of us were little, right momma?", Fran said, "that's right honey, I am a mother that wants all of her kids, married and happy so that they can all give me lots and lots of grandbabies", Desi said, "soooooooo what does everybody think Penelope is gonna have?", the women all said, "girl" while the men all said "boy".
Fran said, "the only thing that matters is that Penelope and my beautiful grandbaby are both safe", Dave brought her hand to his lips and kissed it and said, "that's right beautiful, that is the most important thing", everybody nodded their heads yes in agreement as their attention turned to the room where Penelope, Derek and the others were.
Meanwhile, Penelope collapsed against the bed as Derek wiped her sweaty forehead and said, "you are doing great baby girl", she tiredly looked up at him and said, "I love you", he leaned down and kissed her lips gently and said, "I love you too baby girl", the mood changed as she was hit with the strongest contraction yet.
Shannon said, "okay Penelope, pushhhhhhhhhhh" and pushed she did until the cries of her newborn child filled the air.