Back to Love

11

May 5, 2028
Santa Monica, California

| Third Person Omniscient |

"Lord please get this baby out of me." Karina whined to herself as she bounced on the birth ball. She had been in labor for more than 12 hours and was growing irritated. Chris and Karina decided to do a home birth so Dr.V put them in contact with a midwife that she knew and trusted.

The only people in their home right now were Chris, Trina, Joyce, Karina, and the midwife. Karina knew that too many people would overwhelm her. Chris bent down to Karina's belly and started to whisper.

"Come on man, you got to come out in the next 5 hours or we won't share a birthday."

"Move Chris." Karina said because she was getting annoyed. He quickly moved and their mothers started to laugh. "Chris, I'm thirsty." Chris quickly went to get her some water and came back.

"You want a snack?" She shook her head and drunk the water. She was 7 cm dilated and she knew that if she just stayed focus and breathed that the baby would be out in no time.

"Wait...I do want a snack." She said as she opened her eyes. Chris laughed and went into the kitchen to grab her favorite popcorn. "Can you feed me? I'm trynna focus." She opened her mouth and Chris fed her popcorn as she continued to bounce.

"Alright let's see." The midwife said. Karina stopped bouncing and put her freshly gloved fingers under Karina's dress. "9 cm. Let's get you into the tub." Karina smiled and clapped her hands.

"Woahhh wait. Mama Trina and ma y'all can't see her naked." Chris said looking at them.

"Boy hush and go over there. She got a bra on." Joyce said. Karina was in the tub by now and leaning back with her eyes still closed. Chris kneeled beside her outside the pool and kissed the back of her hand. He grabbed her fan and put it on her cause he noticed the sweat beads on her face and neck. Chris hummed softly to soothe Karina and it was working. She felt a lot of pain but she hummed along and kept her eyes closed, making sure to breathe.

"Ah!" She said as she felt the baby's head push down on her cervix.

"It's time momma. Dad go ahead and get into the water." Chris scrunched up his face and whispered to the midwife.

"Ain't the baby gon be in the water too?" The midwife nodded. "All that damn blood and coochie juice?!"

"Chris you ain't never been worried about coochie juice before so get in the damn water!" Karina said as she scowled. Chris tucked in his lips and took off his shirt and socks so he could get in the pool. Karina groaned as the baby continued to push down.

"Alright momma, get into the position that feels the most comfortable and then we gon start to push." Karina got onto her knees and leaned forward a little to rest her head on the side of the pool.

"This how you got here in the first place." Chris joked and Karina let out a soft laugh and nudged him. Chris kneeled beside Karina and rubbed her back while kissing her shoulder.

"Yess laugh a little momma. That's good. Alright on the count of three you're going to push. 1, 2, 3." Karina pushed as hard as she could and then stopped. "Good good. Let's do it again. You ready?" Karina nodded her head and Chris continued to rub her back. "1,2,3." Karina pushed again and a tear fell from her eye from how uncomfortable this felt.