“What?” she looked up at him with big, scared eyes.
“It’s worth it. Because this part will only last a little while and then she’ll have a beautiful baby just like you and your brothers.”
“Did it hurt like this when she had me?” Although the child had stopped crying again her lower lip still trembled.
“A little. But I bet she forgot all about that the moment she saw your beautiful, big brown eyes.” Aaron poked the tip of her nose and elicited a small smile from the girl.
“She’s gonna be okay?” Courtney asked again.
“I promise.” Aaron hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “I’m gonna go check on her, okay? See if they need any help. I’ll be right back. Can you be a big girl for a few minutes and wait here?”
Courtney nodded and Aaron opened the door to the truck. “Here take this,” he told her, handing her a flashlight that was under the seat. “If you need me just turn it on and wave it around in the air. I’ll see it and come right back,” He promised. The little girl nodded hugging the flashlight to her chest.
He jogged back over to the car and found Maggie on her knees knelt down in front of the back seat. Lacey was laid back on the seat with a blanket draped over her raised knees. Maggie’s hands were beneath the blanket.
“You’re doing great!” Maggie encouraged. “I can feel the head. Take another deep breath and push.”
“Push?!” Aaron exclaimed. “Shouldn’t she wait for the paramedics?”
“There isn’t time,” Maggie responded calmly, only briefly glancing up at Aaron and then turning back to Lacey. “Good, now push,” Maggie instructed.
Lacey cried out as she bore down. Aaron shifted anxiously, wanting to be back at the truck with Courtney. He felt much more capable of soothing a crying child then dealing with this.
“One more, Lacey. I can feel the shoulders. Push!” Maggie demanded.
Lacey screamed as she gave every last ounce of energy she had. And then, just as the sound of her cry was dying away, Aaron heard the distinct shrill cry of a newborn baby.
“You did it,” Maggie said, lifting the bloody infant from under the blanket and laying him on his mother’s stomach.
“I need something to tie off the umbilical cord. A zip tie, shoe lace, anything.” she instructed, looking up at Aaron.
He nodded numbly, still staring at the squirming little baby. Even though it was covered in blood and slime and God knows what else, it was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
“Aaron, now,” Maggie said. He jumped at the command and then nodded, running back to the truck to find what she needed.
“Is Mama okay?” Courtney asked as soon as he opened the door.
“Yeah, she’s great. The baby’s here. I need… I need your shoelace,” Aaron said, feeling a bit lightheaded. Courtney pulled off her shoe and handed it to him, confusion all over her face.
“Is it a boy or a girl?” she asked as he pulled the lace from the shoe.
“I don’t know” Aaron realized. “I’ll go ask. Be right back,” he said as he turned and ran back to the car.
He handed the shoelace to Maggie as soon as he reached her side. Lacey was now propped up and looking much better than she had a few minutes earlier. Her hair was plastered to her face with sweat but at least the color had returned. The baby was wrapped in a blanket in its mother’s arms.
“Courtney wants to know if it’s a girl or a boy,” Aaron said dazedly.
“A boy,” Lacey said, smiling up at him.
Just then the sounds of sirens filled the air as the ambulance arrived. Maggie stepped aside and briefly spoke with one of the paramedics while the others attended to mother and baby. As they loaded Lacey into the ambulance Aaron spoke up.
“Wait. Courtney needs to see that you’re okay before they take you away,” he told them as he turned and ran for the truck, returning shortly with the little girl in his arms. She clung to him, frightened by all the lights and sirens.
“See, what’d I tell ya. Your mama is just fine and look at your new baby brother,” Aaron said, holding the little girl out so she could gaze down at the baby.
“Does it hurt, Mama?” Courtney asked.
“Not anymore, baby.” Lacey promised. “Will you be okay to stay with Maggie until Daddy comes to get you?”
“I want to stay with Aaron,” The little girl insisted, hugging tightly to his neck. Lacey looked up into Aaron’s face, but this time all he saw was gratitude.
“That’s fine, baby. Just be a good girl.” Lacey smiled as they pushed the gurney into the ambulance. They stood on the road watching as it pulled away, Courtney still held firmly in Aaron’s arms.
“How did you know what to do?” Aaron asked Maggie.
“I learned how to deliver a baby when I was in medical school,” she answered.
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