Angel With a Shotgun- Pentagon Yang Hongseok

28

Maya
I breathe in deep, keeping as calm as I can, so I can have a safe delivery.
"I need Hongseok. Please," I grab Seungcheol's sleeve, pulling on it.
"I'll do whatever it takes to keep you calm and comfortable. Did you guys pack a hospital bag or anything yet?"
"We didn't even think I would go into labor this early, so no," I sigh, clenching his sleeve as a contraction runs through my lower abdomen.
"Hey, I'm here," Seungcheol tucks my head into his chest. "Just breathe. You are a strong woman and you are about to bring the most beautiful little girl into the world."
"Okay, it passed. Where are we going?" I look to him, stepping away from his grasp.
"Well, Neo Group have the best doctor in the entire country: Dr. Qian. He has many masters and has earned them while on scholarship," he explains.
"Well, then, what are we standing around for? I'm in labor, let's go!" I waddle my way to the door.

Hongseok
My phone rings, a number I didn't recognize blaring on the screen in bright lights.
"Hello?" I pick it up.
"Hongseok?" Maya's voice sounds through the speakers.
"Maya! Oh thank god. Are you okay?" I ask, putting the phone on speaker phone.
"Well, I've gone into labor and need you. I'm on my way to Neo Group's base, so meet me there, okay? I do need a bag of clothes and all my bathroom stuff, only the necessary stuff, okay?"
"You've gone into labor? Oh shit, I need to be there. I'll be there soon with your stuff, okay? I love you," I say in a rush.
"I... I love you too," she sounds like she is smiling on the other line. "See you soon." She hangs up. We just said "I love you".
"Alright! Everyone! I got a call from Maya. She's heading to Neo Base," I shout throughout the house.
"Is she alright?" Hui pitches up, the other guys looking towards me.
"She's in labor. I need to pack a bag for her. Shit- This is it," I start to panic, my head spinning.
"Oh... Calm down. I will help you out in order to get there," Hyunggu stands up, pulling me with him toward the stairs.

"Alright, what do we need?"
"Clothes and toiletries. She doesn't have to have a fashion show of clothes, so don't go overboard. She needs comfy clothes, since she'll have given birth less than a day ago, and won't feel like dressing up," I run into the bathroom, grabbing her toothbrush, shampoo & conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, and the pads from underneath the sink she bought for this day. "Grab the two nursing bras from the upper drawer in the closet."
"Got them already," Hyunggu shouts back. I walk into the room, dropping the toiletries on the bed, grabbing the duffel bag from the top of the closet. I stuff the clothes into the bag, then the toiletries. I walk back to the closet, grabbing a few baby onesies and socks, stuffing them into the bag, and zipping the bag shut.
"Let's go have a baby."
"Not exactly, but close enough."

Maya
"Ohhh," I grip the headboard of the bed, having made it into Neo Group's base's medical suite. Seungcheol's hands make their way to soothe the bottom of my back through the medical gown, the coldness of his hands giving a small sense of comfort.
"Fuck, this is getting more painful," I wipe the tears that fall from my face.
"It means you're closer to having your baby girl," Seungcheol comments. "You are doing amazing, Maya."
"I want Hongseok," I sigh, closing my eyes.
"I'm here, baby, I'm here," Hongseok's voice sounds like it's near me, causing me to open my eyes. His eyes met mine, causing a small smile to  take over my face.
He runs his hand through some of my hair, sighing, "How are you doing, baby?"
"I'm in pain. Even then, we're almost there, baby," I smile, before hissing as a contraction hits hard, grasping Hongseok's hand.
"I'm here, don't worry. You're doing so good," he kisses my head, before the door opens.
"Miss Ahktar, how are you feeling?" Dr. Qian asks me, after letting me go through
"Like shit. I'm ready for her arrival," I look to him.
"Yes. I can expect that first part. Labor isn't the most amazing part of the process. Would you mind if I checked how dilated you are?" Dr. Qian asks, a compassionate look in his eye, grabbing some blue latex gloves from the counter behind him.
"Obviously, go ahead," I turn from my side to my back, legs propped up, so my sensitive area was exposed for him to examine. He rolls himself and the stool to the bed, examining my vagina.
"Alright, you are at about 6 centimeters. I cannot give an approximate on time, since labor and births are all different for everyone, but you wouldn't have too long. If you want, I can set up a birth pool. I've heard from many that it can relieve some pain," Dr. Qian looks at me. "The father would be able to join." He looks between Hongseok and Seungcheol.
"That would be nice," I grip Hongseok's hand, a contraction hitting hard.
"Alright, I'll get it set up for you," he removed his gloves and exiting the birth room.
Hongseok kisses my hand, "I'm here, baby. Just squeeze my hand and let me help you, okay?"
"Mhmm," I close my eyes, squeezing his hand as hard as I could. "Why the fuck didn't you wear a condom 9 months ago?"
"I'm going to leave the room," Seungcheol exits the room.

"Okay, Miss Ahktar, are you ready to move to the birth pool?"
I nodded, the sports bra I had on be the only thing I needed, standing up, and carefully walk to the small birth pool. I sigh when the water hits my belly as I sit down, a sense of pressure hitting in my lower region.
"I think I need to push," I exasperate through clenched teeth.
"Okay," Dr. Kun puts on more blue latex gloves and comes by my side. "Can you maneuver your legs, so I am able to see if you're ready to push?"
I move my legs to be able to give me more space.
His hand touches my area, looking down at it, then looks at me, "I can feel her head, you are ready to push."
"Fucking finally," I tucked my chin into my chest and started pushing. The pressure, added onto the stretch from her, was extremely painful.
"Alright, you're doing great, Maya. Take a breath and when you're ready, start pushing again," Dr. Kun looks towards me, nodding. I start breathing a little, then start pushing again, grasping Hongseok's forearms.
"Her head is out, Maya. You're going to need to push harder for her shoulders to come out and then she should be able to almost slide out easier."
I begin to push as hard as I possibly could for a few minutes. Only then did I feel the pressure disappear. The crying of Hongseok and I's daughter breaks through the room. She is placed on my chest, the cord still attached.
"Oh my gosh," I tear up, feeling the overwhelming sense of love that I can now give to the baby laying on my chest.
"Hongseok, would you like to cut the cord?" Kun looks to Hongseok, holding a pair of medical scissors.
"Yes," Hongseok's eyes are brimmed with tears, giving a sense of reality that he and I are parents. He cuts the cord, look at her.
"She needs a name still."
"Eun-Jung. Yang Eun-jung. Sanit Ahktar. Esmé. Those are her names," I look at Hongseok, a small smile on my face, tears falling still.