Save the Date (Modern Arrangements, #1)

"Can I talk with you for a moment?" Before I could answer, he grasped my arm and walked me into the next room.

Once behind a closed door, he released me. "Care to tell me why you didn't tell me about this?"

"I, uh, tried to...but you were working late and then..." The angry look on his face stopped my excuses. "I'm sorry. Honestly, I was going to ask you, but you're so busy." His face reddened and his nostrils flared. Before he had the chance to argue, I put my hands up in defeat. "I'm sorry. I should have told you. I'm truly sorry."

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Lilli, I want to know about these things." Reaching out, he took my hands and held them. "I want to be a part of this. Please?" Pulling me into his arms, he held me tightly.

"I'm sorry, Aidan. I didn't mean to—"

"Just, let me be here."

I nodded.

Reentering the living room, James and Elora were already seated on the floor together. Dixon was talking with another couple that sat a few feet away. Roughly four other pregnant couples, invited by Emily to join the private session, occupied our living room.

"Are we all ready?" Emily met everyone's eyes as she looked around the room.

Aidan and I walked toward an empty mat on the floor.

"I threw that down for you." Dixon walked over and kissed my cheek, patted Aidan on the shoulder and headed toward the door.

"Thanks, Dixon!" I shouted.

"No problem, Lil!" He shouted back.

"Hello everyone, my name is Emily. Throughout the session, we are going to discuss childbirth options, techniques and breathing, as well as pain and pain management. Also, we will be viewing a natural birth and answering any questions and concerns you might have." She smiled. "No question is stupid, so I want all of them.”

"Let's get started." She turned to the large flip board she set up on an easel and started to go over a diagram of a baby still inside the womb. Emily discussed everything from the baby's position to the descent into the birth canal. "Any questions so far?"

Emily nodded to someone. A small, dark-haired woman with a large, round face shyly asked her question.

"Will the doctor physically manipulate my abdomen to turn the baby? Or immediately choose the cesarean option?"

"Great questions." Emily responded with a smile on her face. "Honestly, it will depend on your doctor and the situation of your labor. These are things you will want to discuss before giving birth. I strongly suggest you put together a birthing plan with your doctor well in advance."

"A birthing plan?" I snapped my attention to Aidan when the question popped out of his mouth. "They have plans?"

Emily nodded.

"It's a plan you set up with your doctor. For example, do you want an epidural or natural childbirth? Do you want a midwife or a Doula? Those types of things are discussed and planned out so that your doctor is well aware of your birthing experience wishes."

A snort from off to the left of us drew my attention to a very pregnant red-haired woman

"Something you would like to add?" Emily asked.

"Oh, no. I was just thinking that I did the birthing plan for my first birth, but then threw it all out the window once the pain started." She laughed.

Emily grinned. "What number is this?" She motioned to her stomach.

The red-head rubbed her belly. "This is number three." She smiled widely.

"But my first." Her partner chimed in.

"Congratulations." Emily smiled.

Emily went on to discuss relaxation techniques and the benefits of the breathing exercises. I noticed James cringe a few different times and had to stifle my laughter. Then she began the discussion about birth assistance; labor support specialists, midwives and doulas.

"What is a labor support specialist? Or a Doula, for that matter?" Elora asked in a hushed voice.

"These would be professionals that provide emotional support and encouragement while a woman is in labor. They also can support the coach. However, a labor support specialist is usually medically trained where a Doula typically is trained in a class and then attends several births to get certification." Emily ticked each statement off on her fingers.

"We need one of those." James blurted. Aidan laughed. "Oh, dude, you know you want one too." James winked.

"So, I would like to go through a brief birth video so you can get an idea of what to expect." Emily took back control of the class. "However, please keep in mind that all experiences are different and personal." She turned to a small TV and DVD player.

She pushed a button on the remote in her hand and we were greeted to a sweaty woman rhythmically panting and puffing. As her groans became screams, my eyes widened and I shuttered.

"Holy..."

"Shit." I finished Aidan's sentence.

The woman on the screen groaned and grunted, pulling her knees toward her chest with bone white knuckles. I swallowed hard.

Then came the graphic part. The camera zeroed in on a large, round mound pushing through the woman's stretched vagina. I swear my vagina puckered then clenched in refusal of natural childbirth.

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