I Love You, Baby

Chapter Seven

The day Ivy went into labor was one they'd both anticipated with equal parts excitement and nerves, but nothing truly prepared them for the intensity of the moment. It started with a dull cramp in the middle of the night, something Ivy initially brushed off as just another symptom of pregnancy. But as the night wore on, the cramps turned into sharp waves of pain, growing steadily stronger and more frequent.

Rafe had been asleep, his arm draped over her, when Ivy shifted beside him, her breathing a little too quick and shallow.

"I think it's happening," she murmured, her voice tight with discomfort.

Rafe's eyes snapped open immediately, his heart racing at the sound of her words. "What? What's happening?"

"I think... I think I'm in labor," she whispered, gripping his hand tightly as another contraction hit. This one was stronger than the last, and her face contorted in pain.

Rafe bolted upright, adrenaline flooding his system. "Okay, okay. Deep breaths, Ivy. We're ready. It's going to be okay."

Ivy nodded, but the panic was evident in her eyes, mixed with the excitement. "It's happening fast," she said, her breath coming in quick bursts as another wave of pain hit her.

Rafe scrambled to help her sit up, feeling his heart thud painfully in his chest. "Let's get you to the hospital," he said, his voice full of urgency as he threw the covers off and grabbed her hospital bag, which they'd packed weeks ago but had never imagined they'd be using this soon.

Ivy nodded again, tears welling in her eyes, her body tense with each contraction. "I don't think we have much time," she gasped, her hand clutching his.

Rafe didn't waste another second. He helped her out of bed, guiding her carefully, and as they made their way to the door, he grabbed his keys and his phone, dialing the hospital as he moved.

"Yeah, we're on our way," he said, trying to keep his voice calm despite the pounding of his heart. "It's happening now. We're about fifteen minutes out."

"I'm scared," Ivy admitted, her voice shaking as she leaned against him. "What if something goes wrong?"

Rafe's chest tightened, but he kept his tone steady. "Nothing is going to go wrong, Ivy. We've got this. I've got you. And we're going to meet our daughter today. You're so strong. You're amazing. I love you."

Ivy looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes, but there was a flicker of relief in her gaze as she took comfort in his words. She nodded, her grip tightening on his arm.

The drive to the hospital was a blur of red lights and sirens, Rafe's eyes fixed on the road ahead as he tried to stay calm, but every part of him was wired, his mind racing with the thought of what was coming. Ivy was breathing in short, sharp bursts beside him, her hand squeezing his whenever another contraction took hold of her.

When they finally reached the hospital, Rafe rushed to get Ivy inside, helping her through the sliding doors with all the urgency he felt inside. A nurse met them in the lobby, and within moments, they were whisked away to a delivery room.

"I'm here," Rafe whispered, brushing a stray piece of hair from Ivy's forehead as she gripped the sides of the hospital bed, her knuckles white from the intensity of the contractions.

Ivy looked up at him, her face flushed and sweaty but filled with determination. "I'm scared, Rafe," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rafe leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I know. I know you are. But we're in this together. I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here, okay? You're doing amazing."

She nodded, squeezing her eyes shut as another contraction hit her, her body tensing.

The hours passed in a blur of pain, deep breaths, and whispered reassurances. Rafe stayed by Ivy's side the whole time, never leaving her for a second. His heart ached to see her in pain, but he held her hand through each wave, whispering words of encouragement whenever he could.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the moment came. Ivy, exhausted but determined, pushed through one final contraction, and their daughter was born.

Tears welled in Rafe's eyes as the doctor placed their little girl on Ivy's chest. He felt his heart burst open as he looked at the tiny, perfect baby in Ivy's arms, her tiny face scrunched up as she took her first breath.

Ivy gazed down at their daughter, a look of awe and love washing over her. She reached up, her hand trembling, and stroked the baby's cheek.

"Hi, baby," Ivy whispered through her tears, her voice full of emotion. "We've been waiting for you."

Rafe's breath caught in his throat as he looked at them—his family. His heart was so full he didn't think it could hold any more love. He leaned down, kissing Ivy softly, his hand on their daughter's tiny, soft head.

"I love you both so much," he whispered.

Ivy looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears of joy. "She's perfect, Rafe. We did it."

They shared a moment of quiet, a family, all together at last. There were no words for how they both felt, but in that moment, surrounded by the soft beeping of monitors and the faint sound of their daughter's soft cries, everything in the world felt right.