Guilty Pleasure

Page 109

For a split second I think I'm hallucinating, everything slows down to a crawl as a thin layer of goosebumps scatters on my skin. Julie:"Nina! .... Did you hear me?....." My eyes drop down to the floor where her amniotic fluid is now puddling at her feet ".....My water just broke!" Me:"Oh Shit!" Jared tugs at my hand bringing me back to reality Jared:"Nina.... Baby what's wrong?" Me:"Julie's water just broke" Jared:"Oh shit!" Me:"Guys I need you to stay with her while I go find Dr. Malone" Julie:"No! Nina please don't leave me.... I'm scared" My heart breaks for her, she's always been the strong one, my rock my pilar of strength. And now she's about to bring her unborn son into the world and she's just as scared as I was when I gave birth to my little angels. I give her a tight hug and kiss on the cheek Me:"I know you are baby doll, but I need to go get help" Julie looks at me for a bit, her eyes tear up, Julie:"I know but....... oh wait!!!! She gave you a business card didn't she?" Me:"Oh my God you're right!" Jared looks up at Shannon as I rummage through my purse. He's in a state of shock, the color completely drained from his face. Thanks to me he knew what to expect he just didn't think they'd be so far away from home. Jared:"Hey Shan .... you still with us?" S:"Huh?.... Oh yeah, yeah I'm fine ....." to Julie "... are you ok baby" Julie:" I'm scared!" She holds on tight to Shannon, he kisses the top of her head S:"I know baby but you'll be fine I promise"

I get off the phone and give the driver instructions to drive us to the Hospital where Dr. Malone will already be waiting. Julie is reluctant to give birth in Colorado but unless Dr. Malone gives us the green light she won't have a choice. We get to the emergency room in record time, after she's checked in she's wheeled into the maternity ward where she's hooked up to a fetal monitor, the baby's heartbeat is nice and strong. Dr.M:"Fancy meeting you here" S:"I know right?" J:"No offense but I was hopping I would never see you again" Dr. M:"None taken....." to the boys "....now which one of you is Mr. Sirac" Shannon give the doctor a sheepish grin S:"It's Leto actually and I'm ..... her husband" Dr.M:"That's right, I'm sorry" S:"It's ok it's an honest mistake" Julie smiles big, did she just hear him right? Dr. M:"Looks like this little guy is in a hurry to make his debut" J:"Sure..... Feels that...... mmmm...... oooouuuuhhhh" Dr. M:"I know sweetheart I need you to breathe through the contraction ....." Dr. Malone checks the monitor as she helps Julie through the contraction "..... 5 6 7 8 9 you're doing great sweetheart...... feel it tapering off?" Julie nods as best she can as she squeezes the life out of Shannon's hand "..... has anyone been timing the contractions?" Me:"35 minutes apart" Dr.M:"That's good if you're still planning on going home but let's do a quick exam and see where we're at ok?"

Jared an I step outside for a bit to give them some privacyJ:"Do you think we'll be able to go home before the baby comes?" Me:"I don't know Angel, truth is I know it's what she wants but I'm scared, what if there are complications mid-flight?" he pulls me to his arms and kisses my temple J:"I know baby and I think you're right......" he takes a deep breath ".....We'll see what Dr. Malone has to say besides I now Shannon, he won't let her travel if he doesn't think it's safe" back in Julie's room Dr. Malone finishes her exam Dr.M:"Well your labor seems to be progressing rather quickly. You're almost 5 centimeters dilated and now that your water's broken it's gonna progress even faster" S:"What does that mean?" Dr.M:"It means that her contractions are gonna get stronger and closer together" Julie:"But I am gonna be able to go home before my baby's born, right?" Dr.M:"I'd like to monitor you a little longer but truth is you might have to deliver the baby here. Dr. Harris is expecting my call after I'm done here. I'll let you know more after I've spoken to her and after I've examined you one more time" S:"Thank you Dr. Malone" Dr. M:"You're welcome....." to Julie:"..... Just hang in there for me sweetheart, everything is gonna be alright I promise"

An hour and three contractions later Julie has dilated another 2 and 1/2 centimeters and is now resigned to the fact she will be delivering her baby in Colorado. She and Shannon spoke with Dr. Harris who sets their mind at ease. Dr. Malone orders the epidural as the contractions are now taking their toll on Julie. Shannon isn't doing much better than Jared was at this point in my delivery S:"What is taking so fucken long for the anesthesiologist to get here she can't take much more!" Julie:"Shannnn........ uuuugggghhhhh ......... mmmmm" her nuckles turn starch white as his hand turns bright red S:"I know baby, I know it's almost over just breathe sweetness" Jared and I are both virtually in tears Me:"I'm sorry I can't wait around any more" I exit the room and head to the nurses station who informs me that the anesthesiologist is with another patient but Julie is next on his list. I get some fresh ice chips and head back to her room, the contraction has tapered off but she's still uncomfortable. Me:"Hey bug how you feeling" Julie:"Liked death warmed up.... why does it hurt so bad bug?" Me:"I don't know mama" Jared:"You're doing good sis, I believe Nina was talking in tongues at this point of the delivery" I slap his arm playfully Me:"Oh my God Jared you're such a liar" Shannon smiles at Julie S:"Don't worry babe if you start puking guacamole I'll make sure to bust out the holy water" this time it's Shannon's turn to get slapped, we all can't help but laugh Julie:"Ouh Ouh ...... mmmm" I'm sorry Hun I forgot about that" It's ok I could use the distraction" S:"You sure you're ok baby?" Julie:"Yeah baby it just hurts when I laugh" S:"It'll all be worth it when we're holding our bear cub in our arms" her eyes tear up "I know baby, I know"