Gavin nodded pensively, trying to talk himself out of dragging Emily’s sleeping body from the bed and off to another hospital to give birth. With that, he watched the nurse walk out. Sighing, he laid back against the pillow and stared at Emily, her breathing calm and peaceful. Though he was exhausted, sleep seemed oceans away. Instead, he gently positioned Emily’s head on his chest, his mind reeling over the fact that in a few hours, they would be parents. Only a year ago, the woman in his arms was out of reach, yet here and now, she was about to spoil him with a son. She was about to make him a father. Feeling more than blessed, Gavin knew he’d go through every second of pain all over again if he had to. He wouldn’t think twice about it.
Emily stirred, a small whimper leaving her lips. Gavin’s gaze fell to the monitor, his heart clenching, as he watched the line slowly start to climb. With tired eyes, he brushed his hand through Emily’s hair. He hoped the pain killer was helping. It must’ve because she didn’t fully wake. Over the next couple of hours, Emily tossed during the contractions, but somehow she managed to fall in and out of sleep. That was all that mattered to Gavin. As the horizon turned dusty orange with the waking sun, Gavin jumped when the monitor chimed. Within a few seconds, a nurse walked into the room.
Face pinched in concern, she gathered the long strip of paper from the machine and studied it. She turned to Gavin, her voice a whisper. “I need her to shift position. The baby’s heart rate’s dropped.”
Gavin glanced at the monitor and back to the nurse, his adrenaline spiking. “Is he okay?”
“He should be,” she answered calmly, but Gavin heard the worry in her voice. She made her way around the opposite side of the bed. “It usually helps if momma moves around a bit.”
Gavin slid his arm out from beneath Emily. She moaned, clearly in pain. Gavin ran his hand through her hair and gazed into her sleepy eyes. “Emily,” he whispered, stroking her cheek, “the nurse needs you to move around.”
Nodding, Emily sat up. The pain killer was wearing off as a contraction started moving through her stomach. She blinked back tears, her muscles bracing with tension. “I think I need something more for the pain.” She shifted onto her right side, grabbing at her lower back. “Please. I need something. They’re getting worse.”
The nurse stared at the monitor, her expression no less concerned. “Sweetie, I need you to get on all fours for me.”
Heart jumping into his throat, Gavin could see the look on the woman’s face. Emily let out another whimper as he helped her do as the nurse said. Trying to keep calm, he rubbed Emily’s back and watched the nurse flick her eyes to the monitor again.
“Okay, Emily. Go ahead and lay on your back again while I get the doctor.” The nurse rushed for the door.
“What’s going on?” Gavin questioned, helping Emily lay back down. “You can’t walk out of here without telling us if our son’s okay.”
The nurse whipped around. “The doctor will explain everything.” She didn’t give Gavin a chance to say another word as she fled from the room.
“Why isn’t she telling us anything?” Emily looked at Gavin, her heart rate quickening with fear as the tremor from the contraction ebbed.
Gavin shook his head and tried to calm down for her sake. He cupped her face and brushed his lips against her forehead. “I’m sure it’s nothing,” he whispered, looking into her eyes. He could tell she didn’t believe him. His heart sank. “Listen to me, okay?”
Voice groggy, she nodded. “Okay.”
“Emily Cooper, you’re about to give birth to the most healthy, amazing, sucky bottle cap playing, bouncing baby boy out there.” Stroking her cheeks, he placed a gentle kiss on her trembling lips. “And he’s about to love his amazing mother so much, he’s going to make me jealous of you two. Please don’t worry. Understand?”
“Yes,” Emily whispered, wanting to believe him. She rested her hands over his and pulled in a deep breath. “A healthy baby boy.”
A slow grin spread across Gavin’s mouth. “Don’t forget the sucky bottle cap playing part.”
Emily smiled weakly. As she attempted to adjust the pillow behind her, the doctor and two nurses walked in. Eyes on the monitor, Dr. Beck watched it for a moment before bringing his attention to Emily. “The baby’s in fetal distress. We’re going to have to perform an emergency Cesarean.” Gavin backed away when the nurses flanked the bed, yanking up the side rails.
“I’ll see you in the O.R.,” the doctor added as he left the room.
Emily swallowed and her throat felt as though sand was coating it. “Is the baby going to be okay?” she cried, her eyes darting between the two nurses. They didn’t answer as they wheeled her bed toward the door. Emily’s heart raced. “Wait, what about my boyfriend? He’s allowed in the operating room, right?”
“They’d have to kill me to keep me out.” Gavin followed her, his nerves zinging with fear.
A nurse turned around and rested a hand on Gavin’s shoulder. “You can’t go with her right now. You need to get suited up for the O.R. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be back with everything you’ll need.”
The woman’s words were a blur to Gavin. He could barely think. Emily was the air he’d kill for, the carbon copy of his existence, and now he felt as though he was suffocating. With his heart climbing up his throat, he bent over the bed and focused on Emily’s petrified face. Running his hands through her hair, he leaned down and gently kissed her lips. She held onto his shoulders, crying as she kissed him back. Gavin slowly pulled away, his mind telling him to stay strong.