Some Strange Type of Peculiar Love

Labor Part Two

Fiona's POV
The doctor shoed everyone out, I wanted Hugh to be here, I felt so alone. He instructed me to raise my legs and I did so quietly. When he let my legs down, he pulled a clipboard that I neglected to read off the end of my bed and scribbled something down. Hugh opened the door and came to my side with some ice water.
"Perfect timing, your baby should be here in roughly 8 hours."
8 HOURS?
Just as he spoke, my whole body shook with pain.
"You're still having minor contractions, which is why I guessed around 8 hours, but when you cannot talk through it, it's considered a serious one. A series of those is a time span of 6 minutes or shorter is when you'll be ready to push." He said cheerfully.
"So these are minor contractions?" Hugh asked concerned. I wanted to punch him, nothing about this felt very minor to me.
"Yes. Now, Mrs. Apiston, do you have any questions." I shook my head.
"She's uh mute." Hugh said.
"Oh." The doctor wrote something else on my chart and set it back onto the end of my bed. I glanced at the clock as he walked out, it was only 12:30, I can't take another 8 hours. I started to cry.
"Shhh, it's ok, love."
I uncovered my hands from my face and glared at him.
"Ok, so it's definitely not ok, but I'm here for you." Hugh kissed my forehead and I smiled weakly. Horace shoved open the door and ran inside.
"I need some privacy." Horace looked at Hugh and I laughed.
"Sure, my wife is having a baby, but let me just wait in the hall."
"Thanks lad."
As soon as Horace heard the door click shut he giggled like a school girl.
"Guess what I saw?"
I tilted my head.
"Emma and Noor!"
I tilted my head again, slightly more annoyed this time.
"I saw them." He said again drawing out the words. I sighed and leaned my head back onto my pillow, this is not the gossip I wanted now.
"They were a snogging!" I shot up so fast I thought I broke my back.
"I know! I was looking for the loo and there they were! They begged me not to tell but I just had to tell you." I giggled with glee with Horace. I loved knowing secrets and being in on the gossip.
"Do you think Jake knows?" I asked quietly. Did I speak? Did he hear me? Horace stared at me like a rabbit about to be turned into a meat pie.
"D-did y-you...?" He asked shakily. He quickly shook his head when my face turned bright red, I never spoke in front of others. I've tried, but it always just comes out a mousy squeak, I didn't even talk to Hugh until almost after a year of knowing him. But Hugh was different, but I don't know how.
"Anyways.... No, I don't think he knows, or anyone but us!" Horace seemingly forgot about my outburst and started to talk again.
"Oh! And I heard Lily is expecting!"
I smiled and clapped, Hugh would love to raise our child together with Millard.
"I think she's 4 months along? I don't know, they were keeping it all hush hush but I went to the present to get a new battery when I saw her."
I tilted me head if to say how did she look?
"Well she can't pull off pregnancy as good as you can," I rolled my eyes, "but she's cute as a button." I put my hand to my heart.

4:39

Get out, get out, GET OUT!
I wanted to scream and this baby, my contractions were still considered 'minor' (I will personally change that name if it's the last thing I do)

Hugh and Miss Peregrine practically stalked me every time I went to the washroom, as if I was going to have the baby in the toilet. Bronwyn was one of my favorite people alive right now as she was rubbing my feet as I tried to take a nap, which proved futile.

Hugh's POV
7:42

How hard is it to find some goddamn ice chips? Fiona's last contraction seemed to be the worst of them all. My heart hurt for her, I wish I could take her pain. Thankfully though, I didn't have to.

The sun outside was starting to set. We were on the 2nd floor so we had a perfect view of the waterfront and sunset. The kids were falling asleep on the chair's and couches. Millard quick left to bring Ann home and let out Sunny. Fiona was right, he does need a doggy door.

"Hugh!" Miss Peregrine yelled. She had a fearful look in her eyes that made me forget about the ice chips.

Fiona was groaning with her face contorted. She was squeezing Enoch's hand so hard I thought she'd break it.
"I found it!" Horace came from behind me with ice chips.
"I knew you'd get lost." Emma said sheepishly. Olive and Claire were trying to talk to Fiona about dolls but I could tell she was wearing thin.
"Everyone out."
"Thank the birds." Enoch said once Fiona let go of his bruised limb. Miss Peregrine ushered everyone to the hallway, most likely to start giving orders. I took the ice chips from Horace and kicked him out. I strode over to Fiona and handed her the ice.
"I hate this." She smiled weakly.
"Soon we'll have our little baby." I smiled. I realized I was sweating. God, why am I so nervous? Millard told me I'd be a great father, but now I'm not so sure. What if he becomes a deranged killer?
"Noor and Emma were kissing." Fiona said quickly grabbing my hands. She rubbed my thumb like the day on the boat where we first docked in Carinholm.
"Really?" I said. Millard said everyone in the present did things with the same sex every once in awhile. Millard one told me he had ads with Lily and another one of her friends,
At the same time.
"It's called a 3-way." Millard said smugly. I couldn't imagine being with another man, but imagining Fiona with another woman was definitely... arousing.
"Mhm. They swore Horace to secrecy."
"Wow, who would have thought."
Fiona started to groan again and grabbed my hand. I kissed her head as I tried to ignore the blooming pain coming from within my bones.
"How are we doing here?" I didn't even hear the door open, but here the doctor was snapping on his blue gloves.
"She's in a lot of pain." Horace popped his head in. I saw Enoch's hand grab Horace's shoulder and yank him back into the hall. The doctor instructed Fiona to put up her legs. After looking for a moment, he happily grunted to himself.
"Well, you seem to be about 8 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced."
I had no idea what that meant, but Fiona nodded along like it was common knowledge. After he left, Noor came in, everyone else not too far behind. I noticed a little kissing bruise Fiona and I used to leave on each other and smiled at Fiona.
"What did he say?"
"That she's 800 centimeters dilated and 8% effaced."
Fiona shook her head and made the backwards symbol with her fingers.
"Sorry, 8 centimeters and 80% effaced," I shook my head, "I'm exhausted."
"Right." Noor rolled her eyes before turning to Fiona, "Fee, you need to be at 10 centimeters and 100% effaced to push, so you still have some time."
Fiona groaned.

11:26
"Ok, it's time to push!"

4/20/21