She nodded her head and looked at me as her pain continued to spin out of control.
“Our daughter is killing me, Connor. She’s going to KILL me!” she screamed as the contraction came to an end.
Ellery closed her eyes. I took the cloth from the table and gently wiped her forehead with it.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m here with you, and I’ll get you through this. We’ve been through so much, and this is nothing.”
Her eyes flew open as if Satan himself took over. “Nothing! Did you just say this is nothing?!” she yelled at me.
“Baby, you know what I mean.”
“Uh oh, I think someone’s in deep shit. If I were you, I’d get the hell out of here, and run as fast as you can.” Peyton laughed.
I couldn’t say anything right. Everything I said was wrong and just pissed Ellery off. I got up from the bed and pulled my phone from my pocket. After I had an idea that might help keep Ellery calm, I called up Claire and asked her if she could bring Ellery’s classical music CD and the small painting of the baby cuddled up in the moon amongst the stars. I would stand in the doorway of the nursery, late at night, and watch Ellery as she stared at that painting while rubbing her belly. One night, I asked her about it.
“This is the fifth night you’ve been in here staring at that painting.” I smiled as I walked into the nursery and placed my hands on her shoulders.
She reached her hand up and placed her hand on top of mine. “I feel serene when I look at it. I’m not quite sure why, but I do. So, whenever I start to feel nervous or anxious, I come in here, and it calms me down.”
As I hung up with Claire, I walked over to Ellery and kissed her on the forehead.
“Claire is on her way with something that I think will help you relax.”
She looked at me and tried to smile, but another contraction was starting. I sat down on the edge of the bed and let her squeeze my hand as tightly as she needed to. I was in awe of this beautiful woman that I called my wife and what she was going through to give me a child. When the contraction ended, she brought my hand up to her lips and kissed it softly.
“I’m sorry, babe. I know I’m hurting you,” she said.
I gripped her face lightly with my hands. “You’re not hurting me, Ellery. I love you, and I love what you’re doing for us. You do what you need to in order to get through your contractions. I’m here for you, baby.” I smiled.
Chapter 3
Ellery
I lay there and stared into my husband’s eyes as he tried so hard to make me comfortable. Peyton was sitting in the chair next to the bed and she looked exhausted.
“Why don’t you go find Henry and grab something to eat?”
“I don’t want to leave you. You’re going to need me.” She smiled as she took my hand.
Connor looked over at her. “Peyton, I love you, but I’m her husband and the only person she needs right now.”
Peyton knitted her eyebrows at him. “I suppose you’re right, but I want to be here for her.”
“You are here for her, and I appreciate it, but you really should take a break,” Connor said.
“You and Henry should go have sex in one of the rooms,” I said as I gave her hand a squeeze.
A smile brightened her face. “That’s a great idea, Elle, but don’t go and have that baby until I get back!” she exclaimed.
As Peyton walked out of the room, Claire walked in. Another contraction had started just as she set my favorite painting on the chair next to me.
“Oh God!” I started to scream.
As Connor looked over at me, he instantly grabbed my hand, and I bit down on my bottom lip.
“Look at the painting, baby. Focus on the painting, not the pain.”
“I can’t, Connor. The pain is too horrible. I can’t concentrate on anything but the pain!” I screamed.
Claire grabbed the cloth from the stand and wiped my forehead. “I remember the pain, Ellery. Just remember what the end result of that pain is.” She smiled as she pressed her lips to my forehead.
As I smiled at her and slowly closed my eyes, Connor got up and walked her out of the room. I heard him in the hallway, thanking her for bringing the CD and the painting. Nurse Bailey came back into the room and told me she had to check me again to see how far I was dilated. She sighed after she finished checking me, and Connor walked back into the room.
“Any progress?” he asked.
“No. She hasn’t dilated at all. I need to call the doctor. I’ll be right back.”
I looked at Connor as he leaned over and kissed my head. “I’m scared something’s wrong,” I said.
“Don’t be scared. Everything’s going to be fine. I just think our daughter’s stubborn. She’s starting to remind me of someone.” He smiled as he ran his hand down my cheek.
Just as I was beginning to relax, another contraction started. Connor looked at the fetal monitor.
“How can you be having another contraction already? It’s only been a few seconds since the last one.”