The Odds Are Against Us

Chapter Two

Jordan~

Getting stuck in traffic sucks. Especially since I am on my way to the hospital because Avery was in labor. It was the bumper to bumper stop and go kind of traffic.

"Oh my gosh! Can you just move already! I'm trying to get to the hospital!" I have the worst driving temper.

"Jordan it's going to be okay! Women are in labor for hours and hours. You will get to see your baby born don't worry," Richella said trying to calm me down. She grab my hand a squeeze, giving me a boost of encouragement. I squeezed her hand back and smiled.

"Have you figured what you are going to name her?"

"I mean I'm so happy that she is letting me name the baby, and she will get my last name. I'm just happy she is letting me in the childs life. So that is a no, I do not know what I am going to name her."

"Do you want me to help? We can bounce ideas off of each other," she said.

"Yeah, let's do that." I said as I squeezed her hand again.

"Okay I am going to say first names and you can tell me when you hear one that you like."

"Okay, that works," I said nervously. It seems weird that we are on our way to the hospital and I still don't have a name for my child. I mean it has crossed my mind but I thought I would have more time.

"Emma, Olivia, Lilly, Harper, Mia, Isabella-"

"That's it! Isabella, that will be her first name," I said. That was my grandmas name and she passed away when I was 11.

"Okay lets do middle names. Rose, Grace, Jane, Louise, Jade, May, La Rue-"

"Isabella La Rue Johnson. What would be her nickname?" I asked. I want my child to have nickname. My parents never gave me a middle name so my name was just Jordan Johnson. There was no place for a worthy nickname other than JJ and for some reason, I hated that.We got to the hospital and ran up to the front desk.

I started yelling random things like "Avery Michaelson"

"What room?"

"She went into labor" before I heard her dad say my name.

"Jordan, she's upstairs on the 4th floor. Let me take you there. She just got settled into her gown and bed. We only got here about 20 minutes ago," he said with a strange look. I realize that he is looking at Ella and how we are holding hands. She noticed the confusion and looked up at me.

"I can head out, I really shouldn't be here anyway. I could call my mom and have her come pick me up," She said trying to take her hand out of mine. She almost looked hurt from the way Avery's dad was looking at her. I couldn't let her go, she is what is keeping me from breaking down. She is now my rock, and I couldn't let her slip out of my grip. She also helped name the baby and that means something.

"No you are staying with me, Avery can deal with one more person in the room and if she can't then she can deal with one less," I would rather have her here with me then not be here at all.

"Jordan really, I-," she starts but I cut her off.

"Really Ella, I want you here," I said. Avery's dad coughed in the background. My grip on her hand tightens and I drag through the hallway and into the elevator.

Richella~

It was awkward. Every five minutes Avery would moan and everyone would rush to her side. Her blonde hair with brown dyed highlights was up in a messy bun. Her makeup was smeared, and her face was red and splotchy. She was so petite. I think the only weight she put on during her pregnancy was the actual baby itself. In comparison to her small body, her belly looked like there was two full size watermelons taped to her. She could barely walk throughout school and had a very hard time getting out of her seat after class.

The nurses came in every 30 minutes to check if she was ready to push. It has been six hours of sitting in the window seal in her room, and walking down to the food court and grabbing snacks. Jordan sat right by her side, her never held her hand but during her contractions he would always whisper things into her ear. Her parents left the room and at least two minutes later she had a major contraction. It was bad. She screamed so loudly that I wouldn't be surprised if the whole floor heard us. Jordan didn't know what to do. Only a few months ago my mom had my youngest sibling and the father of her baby didn't show up so I was by her side the entire time.

I walked over to Avery and grabbed her hand. "Okay, I know it is hard. Can I try to help you?" Her pale face gave me a puppy dog look and continued to cry out in pain. I took that as a yes.

"Okay, this is what I want you to do. Take a deep breath in through your nose. When you exhale make your whole body go limp," She does exactly what I say for a few seconds, next step I think.

"Okay focus on me, look into my eyes. I am going to put some pressure on your feet. Jordan grab her hand. Keep your body limp, and deep breaths." After about 2 more minutes of the contraction it was over.

"Thanks Richella, how do you know how to do that?"

"My mom had a baby and I was the only one with her all day," I pull up an extra chair to her bed and rested my feet at the end. Not once have I felt that she liked me and I hope she actually does. The nurses came in to check on her and they said she was ready to push. I stood up to leave but she grabbed my hand.

"Will you stay in here with me?" She asked.

"Yeah sure," I said as the doctor came in followed by all the nurses. Avery squeezed my hand tighter and I leaned down to whisper something in her ear.

"It's going to be okay. You are soon going to receive the most wonderful gift."