Between us

Chapter 28

*Warning: The birth of Puppet will be explained vividly, so if you're not really into all that, please read with caution. Enjoy! ;) *

I laid down and on a big blanket and Lucy already went into full nurse-mode with her gloves and first-aid kit in her hands. 

"It's not safe to give birth here, but luckily we're far away from the hideout. I'll keep the coast clear." I noticed that Leonardo had a gun in his hand and he the once care-free man turned into a cold rugged man. His older brother's death must've hit him very hard. 

He went away and Lucy began to assist me. She lifted my skirt and looked. "Your cervix is eight centimeters, Charlie! This means that you're already through the early labor." She exclaimed and began to order the two other girls around. One was holding a flashlight. 

"Eight centimeters? What does that mean?" Stacey asked in confusion and Lucy shot her a frustrated look. 

"It means that Puppet is very excited to come out, and she wants to come out now." Lucy explained impatiently and gave Stacey the kit. "Now be useful and sterilize the equipment." 

I don't know what's more funnier, Lucy's serious and controlled attitude, or Stacey's frightened and confused look. 

The contractions began again and Lucy timed them. "Don't push yet, your cervix needs to be ten centimeters, but it seems that Puppet is in a hurry." 

As the contractions came and went, I fisted a handful of the blanket and squeezed it tightly. "Lucy," I began out of breath and felt more limb, "how much more should I have to wait?" 

She pushed my skirt up and looked at me with an urgency. "Not yet, do the breathing exercises like we practiced." My legs got crampy and I tried to focus on the breathing. 

The contractions came closer and it felt like I was going to die from pain. I began to cry and Lucy patted my hand reassuringly while Stacey gave me massages in between contractions. "Do you want pain killers or water?" 

"No, I can do this." My words were cut short by another painful tug. 

For what seemed like a very very long time, Lucy finally gave me a thumbs up. "Push, Charlie." I began to push, and it felt like a train ran over me. "Wait, more gently, or your tissues will tear." I complied and took deep breaths during the process. 

"I can see the head!" Stacey exclaimed and I felt more motivated. 

"One last time, Charlie. Push!" 

Those were the last words I heard before I pushed one last time. It felt like such a huge relieve when I felt Puppet coming out. I lifted my head wearily and saw a tiny baby in Lucy's arms. She then waited a few minutes before she cut the umbilical cord. 

I cried when I heard her little cry and I weakly stretched out my arms to her. Lucy gave her to me and pride began to swell inside my chest when I saw the dark hair. Instinctively I laid her on my chest and she began to calm down. 

"We have to wait about thirty minutes before you have to deliver the placenta." I could hear Lucy's faint words in the distance, but I could only focus on the little person sleeping in my arms. With the little red swollen face and still covered in blood, she looked absolutely beautiful. And she looked like Ryder. 

She began to cry again and I breastfed her like it was the most natural thing in the world. Stacey smiled at me with tears in her eyes. "You're a natural at this, Charlie." 

The other girl gave me a blanket and I wrapped her in it because it was a cold night. 

It's time to deliver the placenta and the contractions happened again, but I was oblivious to the pain because all I could think about is this little gem. Lucy gave me medication to help with contraction and she asked me to push gently one last time.