Labor of Love

6

Buck blinked awake, his eyes fluttering as the fluorescent lights of the hospital room pierced through his groggy state. The familiar scent of antiseptic filled his nostrils, grounding him in reality. “Eddie…” he mumbled, struggling to push through the heaviness in his mind. “Something… doesn’t feel right.”

At the sound of Buck’s voice, Eddie jolted to attention, his eyes wide with concern. “What do you feel, Buck? Talk to me.” He leaned closer, scanning Buck’s face for any signs of distress.

Buck squeezed his eyes shut, a wave of pain crashing over him. “It… hurts,” he gasped, feeling a sharp cramp shoot through his abdomen. It felt as though something had popped, a sensation that sent alarms ringing in his mind.

Eddie's instincts kicked in as he quickly hit the call button, his heart racing. “Regulus! I need you in here!”

Within moments, Regulus rushed in, flanked by two nurses who were already alerted to the urgency of the situation. He took in the scene: Eddie hovering over Buck, his face pale with worry, and Buck lying back on the pillow, his expression twisted in discomfort.

“What’s happening?” Regulus demanded, his voice steady but urgent. He moved closer to the bed, ready to assess the situation.

“Buck said something doesn’t feel right,” Eddie replied, his voice tense. “He just woke up and said he hurts.”

Regulus looked down at Buck, his gaze penetrating yet reassuring. “Buck, can you explain what doesn’t feel right? Is it a pain? Pressure? Or something else?”

Buck swallowed hard, trying to articulate the vague sense of dread building within him. “It feels like… like something popped,” he murmured, eyes darting around the room as panic threatened to creep in.

Regulus frowned, his mind racing through possibilities. “Okay, I’m going to check your dilation and make sure your water hasn’t broken. It’s okay, Buck. Just breathe for me.” He reached for the gloves at the edge of the bed, his movements practiced and calm.

Eddie placed a reassuring hand on Buck’s shoulder, encouraging him to stay focused. “You’re doing great, Buck. Just hang in there.”

Regulus carefully lifted the blanket, exposing Buck’s legs. “I need you to relax your muscles as much as you can,” he instructed, maintaining eye contact to help keep Buck grounded. “If your water has broken, we need to know right away, and if you’re dilating further, we’ll have to act quickly.”

As Regulus prepared to conduct the examination, Buck felt a wave of vulnerability wash over him. He hated feeling this way, exposed and uncertain, but he trusted Regulus. “Okay,” he whispered, nodding slightly.

Regulus positioned himself, ensuring he was gentle as he began the check. He could feel the tension in Buck’s body, the way his muscles clenched instinctively. “Just focus on your breathing, Buck. In and out, nice and slow.” He could see the discomfort etched on Buck’s face but pressed on, feeling the urgency of the moment.

Eddie watched closely, worry gnawing at him. He reached for Buck’s uninjured hand, gripping it tightly. “You’ve got this, Buck. Just breathe through it. I’m right here.”

Regulus continued with the examination, his fingers moving cautiously. “I’m checking for dilation now,” he said, trying to keep Buck informed. “You’re still at one centimeter, which is a good sign, but I need to check if your membranes are intact.”

A frown deepened on Regulus's face as he felt the membranes, the smooth surface beneath his fingers indicating a breach in the protective barrier. “Buck,” he said carefully, “I’m going to check if your water has broken. Just bear with me for a moment.”

A sense of foreboding washed over Buck. “What does that mean?” he managed to ask, his voice trembling slightly.

“If your water has broken, we’ll need to get you ready for labor. It’s important for the baby’s safety,” Regulus explained, keeping his tone calm and reassuring. He pressed gently, feeling for the telltale signs of rupture. “Just a moment longer, Buck.”

And then he felt it—a rush of fluid against his fingers. Regulus’s heart sank as he withdrew his hand, the reality of the situation settling in. “Okay, Buck, your water has broken. That means we need to prepare for labor. I’m going to call in additional support, and we’ll get you set up in the delivery room.”

Eddie’s eyes widened in shock. “Labor? Now?”

Regulus nodded, his expression serious. “Yes, but we can manage this. Buck, you’re doing really well. We need to get you stabilized and ready to deliver. I’ll stay by your side the whole time.”

Buck felt a mixture of fear and determination surge within him. “I… I’m scared,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I know, Buck. It’s okay to be scared,” Regulus replied, his gaze softening. “But you’re not alone. We’re here for you. Just focus on breathing for me, in and out.” He quickly moved to the nurses, instructing them to gather the necessary equipment for the delivery and alert the OB on call.

Eddie kept holding Buck’s hand, his grip firm and steady. “You’re doing great, Buck. Just keep breathing. We’ll get through this together.”

As Regulus worked quickly and efficiently, Buck felt his heart rate quickening, anxiety swirling in his chest. “Eddie… what if something goes wrong?”

“Nothing is going to go wrong,” Eddie assured him, his voice unwavering. “You’re strong, Buck. You’ve made it this far, and we’re going to see this through to the end. Just focus on me, okay? Just breathe.”

With each breath, Buck tried to push away the panic, concentrating on Eddie’s calming presence. The world around him faded, leaving only the sound of their breaths and the rhythmic beeping of the monitor.

Regulus returned, a nurse in tow, and looked down at Buck with determination. “We’re ready to move you to the delivery room now. I’ll be right there with you the entire time, Buck. We’ll take care of everything, I promise.”

Buck nodded, his gaze shifting to Eddie, who gave him an encouraging smile. “You’re not alone in this, Buck. We’ve got you.”

With the nurses guiding the stretcher and Regulus close behind, Buck felt the weight of uncertainty settle over him once again. But Eddie’s presence anchored him, reminding him that he had a support system ready to face whatever came next. Together, they would navigate this journey, one breath at a time.