Sometimes Love Isn't Enough - TheAmbys 2024

Never Seen Anything Quite Like You

*Brendon's POV*

As I exit Dan's car, I take a deep breath and prepare myself for what's about to happen. This is going to change everything. My marriage may not survive this time. I feel sick, physically sick, and my anxiety is building up. I've brought all of this all on myself, but this time, the consequences are higher.  Not only do I risk losing Carlyn, but I also risk losing the chance to raise our child together. As I open the front door, I am met with a wall of silence. There is no sign of Carlyn anywhere. "Carly, I'm home, Babe!" No response. "CARLY!" I shout a bit louder. I now have an uneasy feeling. I look in our bedroom, then I look in the nursery, she's nowhere to be seen "Carly!!" I shout again, beginning to panic.  Then I hear a faint noise coming from the bathroom at the end of the hall. I run down the hall, throwing open the door. In front of me, I find  Carlyn leaning over the sink unit. "Carly .....what's wrong, babe?" I notice she has a sheen of sweat covering her. "Babe?? Talk to me........."
"Bren.....my waters have broken!" she says through clenched teeth.
"Ok. Stay calm. Where are the bags?"
"By the front door. Everything is ready to go."
"Right, let's get you in the car. Can you walk, ok?"
"I think so.....its uncomfortable, but I'm sure I'll be fine."
As we make our way to the car, Carlyn has to stop. "Babe, are you having contractions?
"Yes.....OMG....it feels like a clamp is tightening across my stomach."...
"Just breathe, Carly... inhale......exhale the pain away!"
"I know how to breathe, Bren! I'm trying to stay calm." After a few more contractions, we finally manage to get into the car and make our way to the hospital. I try to keep within the speed limit and keep my anxiety at bay by singing to Carlyn, but I don't think it's working. "Bren, my contractions are getting closer. Can you go quicker?"
"We're almost there, Carlyn. Don't panic! Can you cross your legs or something??"
I swear if looks could kill, I'd be dead.
"Sure, Brendon. No problem, I'm sure that will stop the baby coming out!!" She shouts at me. I now realise that was a stupid thing to say. Thankfully, we pull into the hospital car park. I get out and shout for help.
"Help!! My wife's in labour!!! I think the baby's coming." I shout, grabbing the bags from the car whilst an orderly gets a wheelchair for Carlyn. As they wheel her through to labour and delivery, I book her in and quockly call Pete to tell him that Carolyn's in labour. A nurse comes through for me and takes me to Carlyn's room. When we enter her room, she is pacing the floor, trying to get comfortable whilst sucking on gas and air. The midwife turns to me. "Mr Urie, we have examined your wife. Her labour is progressing well but quickly. It may be a few more hours, though, before the baby makes an appearance. Carlyn is currently 6 cm dilated. She's done really well to get this far at home. I have a few other patients that I need to check on, but I will be back soon to check on Carlyn. You can help her by massaging her lower back, giving her ice chips to eat, and making sure she drinks plenty of fluids to stay hydrated."
"Thank you..... Carly, are you doing ok there, babe?"
"Mmmmhmm ....."
I think that was a yes. I gently move behind her and start to massage her lower back. She's leaning over the bed, gripping her gas and air for dear life.
"Carly, I think I need some ot that gas and air as well," I joke. She laughs and passes me the gas to try. "It's great stuff, Bren. I feel like I'm drunk. I want to take it home she laughs. I take a deep breath in, and I must admit it calms my anxiety slightly. She's not wrong.....It is good!!!
"Bren, I feel like I need to push..."
"It's too soon babe, you're only 6 cms dilated."
"Bren, I'm telling you I need to push!! NOW!!  Press the buzzer for the midwife, please!" She begs.  I do as she asks, and the midwife comes running in.
"Carlyn says she needs to push," I tell her.
"Don't push yet. I need to check how dilated you are first. Can you get on the bed, please, Carlyn?" She does as asked, and the midwife checks her cervix and confirms that she is fully dilated and that she can feel the baby's head. "Ok, Carlyn, on your next contraction, I need you to push as hard as you can."
I take Carlyn's hand and give her a quick kiss. " You can do this, babe..... I'm. So proud of you. You're doing amazingly." As the next contractions hits, I encourage Carlyn to push. "Come on, babe, that's great." A few seconds later, another one hits. "Fuck Bren I feel like I'm being torn in half" she groans. The contractions are coming fast and furious. The midwife tells us that the baby is crowning and that on the next contraction not to push just to pant through the pain as Carlyn's body will do its own thing and deliver the baby's head. Suddenly Carlyn let's out quite a few curses. "Arrrgh I feel like I am on fire down there". "Yes thats the baby crowning. It's called the ring of fire." The midwife tells us. Carlyn had such a grip on my hand that I'm sure she's broken something. I can't complain though as I she's going through all this pain to deliver our baby. Suddenly, the midwife asks if I want to see our baby enter the world. She guides me down to the foot of the bed just as the baby's head emerges. "Carly, I can see our baby!" I feel a tear roll down my cheek. "Carlyn, when the next contraction comes, give one last big push and your baby will be here."
I look at Carlyn in awe and can't believe i am watching our child being born. As Carlyn pushes for the last time, our baby makes its entrance into the world, screaming and crying. The midwife places the baby onto Carlyn's chest. "You doing alright there Dad?  Would you like to cut the umbilical cord?"
"Dad?? " It finally hits me. Im a dad now. "Yes!!" I say through my tears.
"Congratulations, mom, dad. You have a beautiful baby girl. "
I look over at Carlyn covered in sweat and blood from the birth, messy hair, and exhausted, and I can honestly say I have never seen anything as beautiful in my life. "Bren, she's here...... She's really here. I can't believe it. She's beautiful."
"She really is, just like her .mom." I say. We are both crying tears of happiness.
"She certainly made an entrance," says the midwife. "For a first delivery, 3 hrs in  labour is very quick. You both did great. "
I suddenly realise that Carlyn is shaking quite badly.
"Babe, what's wrong?"
"I can't stop shaking for some reason."
Even her teeth are chattering. "I think something is wrong with Carlyn". I tell the midwife.
"It's OK. Her body is going into shock due to the rapid labour and delivery." They give me blankets to wrap around her to keep her warm. "Once we clean her up and check the placenta to ensure it's whole. We will bring her some sweet tea and toast. Would you like some too?"
"Yes, please, I am suddenly very hungry." I laugh, "that was hard work." Carlyn rolls her eyes at me laughing.
I am in such awe of my wife and everything she has come through. I can't believe we are finally parents.

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A.N. this is how my 1st delivery happened. I'd been told to prepare for a long labour as 1sts usually take a while. My 1st daughter decided otherwise 🤣🤣