Only you | Derek Morgan

My hand is not going in there

L A Y L A ' S   P O V

Derek stops screaming long enough to call an ambulance and Spencer stops freaking out long enough to grab some blankets and towels and help me get Averie set up.

This is definitely not ideal, but we've made it as sterile as a campsite in the woods can get.

"We'll be over here!" Derek yells from fifty yards away. He has Aidan in his arms, both of them blocking each other's eyes with their hands, clearly not wanting to witness a minute of this spontaneous premature labour. "Yell if you need anything!"

"Do you know what you're doing?" Spencer asks me.

I can't say I'm trained or qualified in any way but.. "I think I'm the best option we've got right now."

First step.. check how dilated she is.

I grimace at Averie. "I love you but my hand is not going in there."

"I don't blame you," She cries along with a very sharp this is not real life. "Spencer, you need to do it."

"Ten centimetres," Spencer concludes. "The head is right there."

"Okay, good." I say to him. "Now you focus on her."

The next five minutes is filled with lots of breathing, contracting, a fair amount of swearing, lots of positive encouragement from Spencer and Averie cursing the fact that she couldn't get an epidural through every push.

"Is the ambulance coming?" Averie cries. "The baby is premature. What if there's health risks—"

"Ave,  you can't think about that right now." Spencer says, beating me to it. "You need to focus on getting the baby out."

With a few more pushes and a few short breaks in between, I can officially see the head.

"The worst part is almost over, Averie." I say to motivate her. "You're doing so great. Keep going."

Slowly but surely with each push the baby gets closer and closer. Once the head is out I make sure the cord isn't wrapped around the neck and thankfully, it isn't.

"One last push," Spencer says, kissing her head. I must say, he is going a good job at not reacting to the brutal hand squeezing he's getting. Im pretty sure his hand is turning purple. "You're almost there."

"I am never letting you convince me to do this again," Averie cries through her groans of pain. Spencer's counting her breaths, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "You're getting that vasectomy this time!"

The baby's shoulders, torso and legs follow and it's all over. I have never been more relieved than when that baby lets out a strong healthy wail and when I place that little baby on Averie's chest there is not a dry eye between us.

"It's a boy, Spencer." Averie sobs, tears turning to ones of joy.

"You did it, Averie." Spencer sniffles, grabbing his little hand. "He's perfect."

To the best of my knowledge that baby is healthy and happy so my work here is done. I don't want to intrude on a very special and personal moment for them so I make sure to cover them over with a blanket before I step away.

"Derek?" I call out as I approach. They're both still looking into the abyss of trees. I use my forearm to wipe the sweat off my forehead. "I think I can add obstetrician to my resume."

Derek turns slightly, peaking through his parted fingers. "Is it over? Everyone okay?"

"It's over." A grin breaks out across my face. "The baby is here and perfect."