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Cries.

Isy's POV

Something shifted. It wasn't sudden, not really. It had been building for a while, something deeper, heavier, sitting low in her body. But this time it was different.

Ale went still beside me, her grip tightening around my hand as her breathing changed again.

"Isy..." Her voice wasn't panicked this time. It was something else.
"I feel... pressure."

Sara looked up immediately, already moving closer.

"That's good" she said gently. "That means your body is getting ready."

Ale shook her head slightly, her brows pulling together.

"No, it's not just pressure, I feel like I need to... I don't know..."

"Push?" Sara offered softly.

Ale's eyes snapped open, meeting mine. There was fear there, clear and raw.

"I can't do that" she whispered.

"Your body will guide you" Sara reassured her.

"You don't have to force anything. Just listen to it."

"I don't know how" Ale said, her voice breaking as another contraction started to rise.

"You don't need to know" I said quickly, brushing her hair back from her face. "You'll feel it. You'll know what to do."

"I've never done this before" she cried, her hand gripping mine so tightly it almost hurt. "I don't know what I'm doing."

"I know" I said softly, pressing my forehead to hers. "But you're not alone. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

The contraction built fast this time. Stronger than anything before it. Ale's body reacted before her mind could catch up. Her back arched slightly, a deep sound leaving her chest as the pressure took over.

"I need to push" she gasped.

"Ok" Sara said calmly.
"Go with it. That's it."

Ale shook her head, tears spilling over.

"I'm scared."

"I know you are" I whispered. 
"But your body knows. Just follow it."

Another wave hit and this time she couldn't hold back even if she wanted to. Her body bore down, instinct taking over as she cried out, her whole frame tightening with the effort.

"That's it" Sara encouraged. 

Ale clung to me, her face pressed into my shoulder as she pushed, her breath breaking apart with the intensity of it.

"It hurts" she sobbed.

"I know" I murmured, holding her as steady as I could.
"You're doing so well."

The contraction eased slightly and she collapsed back against the bed, completely drained.

"I can't" she whispered again, shaking her head weakly. "I don't have anything left."

"You do" I said softly.
"You do. Just one more, ok? Just one at a time."

"I'm so tired" she said, her eyes glassy now, her body trembling.

"I know."

"Your babies are right there, Alexia. You're so close now." Sara's voice cut through gently but firmly.

That seemed to reach her, just enough.

Another contraction built, slower but heavier. Ale's hand found mine again, her fingers locking with mine as she took a shaky breath.