Moonlit Awakening

Chapter 27

Alice

A week and a half later, Alice is dozing on the couch when she's awoken by a sharp stabbing pain. "Ooh..." she moans.

Liam appears. "Alice, what's wrong?"

"I...I..."

"Is it contractions o...or is it still false labor pains?"

"I...I don't know!"

Ember comes into the room. "Alice, are you..." she tries to ask.

"I don't know!" Alice exclaims, "I...is Margaret here?"

"Yes, I'll go grab her." Ember disappears.

Margaret comes into the room, followed by Ember. "Alice, dear," she asks, "how far apart are your contractions?"

"I...I don't know, I j...just woke up w...when..."

"Shh, it's okay. Let me know when you next..." Alice gasps out in pain as another contraction hits her. "Ah, yes...it would seem like you're in labor."

"W...what? N...no, it's too..."

"It's not too early, dear. Now, come with me, let's get you to the hospital."

"B...but..."

"Unless you want to give birth here."

Alice pales. "O...okay..." She takes Margaret's hand and they make their way out to the car.

"Alice," Ember states, "I'll meet you at the hospital." Alice nods, looking scared.

"Erm...Alice?" Liam asks softly, "Do you want me to come with you?"

"Y...yes," Alice whimpers.

When they arrive at the hospital, Liam helps her out of the car. She's quickly admitted into a room. Dr. Graylen comes in shortly after she arrives. "Hello, Alice," she says, "let's see how far you've progressed." She carefully checks how dilated she is. "Sweetheart, you're almost ready."

"M...Margaret!" Alice cries out.

Margaret holds her hand. "It's alright, dear," she says, soothing her, "I'm right here. We're going to deliver this baby together, okay?"

"Alice!" Ember shouts, running into the room.

Alice begins to panic. "T...too many...too many!" she exclaims.

"Alice, it's okay," Margaret states, "are there too many people in the room?" Alice nods. "Who do you want to stay with you?"

"M...Margaret...don't go..." she whispers.

Ember glances at Alice and then Margaret. "Take care of her," she says, "I'll be out in the lobby if she wants me."

"Alice," Liam asks softly, "what about me?"

"Y...you can....s...stay," she whimpers, "j...just...don't look at my..." She tenses up as a contraction hits her.

Margaret soothes her by talking softly to her. "Alice," Dr. Graylen states, "you need to push when your next contraction hits." She whimpers again. About a minute passes before her next contraction hits. She pushes hard. Dr. Graylen continues to softly instruct her until there's a loud cry. "Good job, Alice."

"M...my baby?"

"He's here."

"I...is he okay?"

"Yes, he's healthy."

"M...may I see him?" Dr. Graylen brings her baby over to her. "O...oh, he's so...s...small."