The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 76 - A Birth Day

Greg helped Susan breath through two more contractions before Betty returned. They were now closer to five minutes apart than the ten minutes they had been. By the time she re-joined them, the monitor was recording that in addition to being closer together, Susan's contractions were also longer and harder than they had been before her shower.

"You are definitely progressing more rapidly than Dr. Daniels expected," Betty said. "He's called Dr. Lin and Dr. Bowers both. They're making the arrangements to have the infant cardiac equipment ready a few hours earlier, just in case."

"Thank you," Susan said. "Greg?" she said.

"Breath again," Greg coached.

"When do we need to check again?" Susan asked as the contraction ended.

"In an hour. That should help us better gauge how quickly you're progressing," she said.

Susan nodded, concentrating on Greg's face as he stood beside her bed until the contraction was gone. Since her shower, the contractions had become not only more uncomfortable, but also hard work. Greg helped her comb out her wet hair between them which helped to sooth her, but Susan found she was tiring quickly, much more quickly than she'd expected to and she found herself nodding off between contractions a time or two.

Time during the next hour seemed to telescope on forever, but at the same time went by incredibly quickly. Greg stayed by Susan's side as Betty measured her progress then announced she was going home.

"You're at seven," she said. "Camilla arrived thirty minutes ago. She's been apprised of the situation and she'll be taking care of you tonight," Betty said. "I'll see you in the morning, Susan. After. Good luck."

"Thank you," Susan said. "Is someone calling Dr. Daniels with my progress report?"

"Camilla is calling him now," Betty said.

Susan nodded closing her eyes briefly before she felt the next pain begin. She groaned slightly as it started.

"Are they getting more uncomfortable?" Greg asked.

"It's not that so much, as I'm not getting much of a rest between them. Greg, next time we think about doing this, please remind me I'm too old to be having babies? Labor and deliver is for the young, not for women my age," Susan said.

Greg arched his brow. "I could remind you I am older than you by a significant amount, however I suspect now is not the time for you to fully appreciate that."

Susan growled slightly as she did her best to breathe through the contraction.

"That's what I thought," Greg said with a chuckle. "This is the last time for us, Susan. I promise. It is time to see to the fruition of God's plan instead of the forming of it."

"I completely agree," Susan said as the pain faded.

She closed her eyes, wishing she had a few minutes to sleep, but she knew from experience she wasn't likely to get much of that for quite a long time to come. She was right, she didn't. The contractions kept coming, farther apart than they were this close to delivery for some women, but still strong and effective. By eleven thirty she was at nine and Dr. Daniels had been summoned. He arrived shortly before midnight, measuring Susan as a hair less than ten.

"We need to get you to a delivery room," he told her. "Dr. Bowers and Dr. Lin are on their way. They should be here in twenty minutes or less."

"Okay," Susan said. "Do you want me to move?"

"No need. We can move the whole bed," Dr. Daniels said.

Two orderlies appeared out of nowhere, taking the breaks off of Susan's bed and wheeling it out to the hall, IV drip and all. Greg followed behind as quickly as he could.