The Baker, Part 2: Sous Chef

Chapter 13

Ben was being rushed into a room to get prepped for the birthing, while Cassie was wheeled off into another room so they can prepare her, as well. "I want to be with my wife!" Ben told them. "She's in pain, she needs me!" 

"Mr. Cumberbatch," a nurse calmly said, "we just need to get you in some scrubs, then we'll take you to your wife." Ben had never changed so quickly in his life. He got in the scrubs, then made a b-line to the room Cassie was in. 

When he walked into the room, he saw her in excruciating pain and calling for him. "Baby," he said as he ran over to her and took her hand. "Baby, I'm right here." She looked at him and smiled. "Ben, it hurts," she cried. 

He ran his hand over her hair and said, "I know, I know. But I'm right here. You squeeze my hand as hard as you want, you scream as loud as you want. Don't hold back, alright?" She nodded and took a deep breath. 

She was drenched in sweat now, so Ben went over to the sink in the room and ran a cloth under some cold water. When he came back to her, he dabbed the cloth over her head. "That feel good, love?" He asked. She let out a sigh and relief and nodded. 

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cumberbatch," their doctor said as he walked in. "Let's see how dilated you are, shall we?" He lifted up the hospital gown and looked. "It seems you are about five centimeters. You've got a ways to go, but we're going to make you as comfortable as possible. Do you need anything? Ice chips maybe?"

Cassie nodded and said, "Ice chips." The doctor left, then came back with them. "I'll be back every hour or so to check on you," he told them. Ben thanked him, then started feeding her ice chips. A contraction hit her, so he set aside the chips and took her hand. 

"Oh, shit, it hurts!" She screamed, as she squeezed his hand. "Ben, please make it stop!" Ben had tears in his eyes. This was just the start of it. She's got several more hours of this and there wasn't anything he could do, except hold her hand. 

"Breathe, Cass, breathe," he soothingly told her. "You're almost through it." A few moments later, it was done and she let out a huge breath. Ben set the cool cloth over her head, then said, "You're doing great, babe. Want some more ice chips?"

After a moment of collecting herself, she told him, "Yes, please." He fed her some ice chips, then re-applied some cool water on the cloth and put it on her head. "Does my mom know?" She asked. Ben sat down next to her and said, "Yeah, my mum called her."

"I want to talk to my mom, Ben," she whined with tears in her eyes. Ben quickly took out his phone and called Julie, who picked up almost immediately. "Julie, it's Ben," he said. "Oh, Ben! I was just about to call you! How's our girl doing?"

Ben took ahold of Cassie's hand as another contraction hit her. He grunted when she squeezed a little too hard, but then answered, "She's doing brilliantly. Here, I'm going to give her the phone or I'm afraid she's going to bite my head off." 

He gave her the phone and she quickly snatched it from him. "Mom," she cried. Ben watched as she talked to her mom, getting soothing words and advice. Cassie calmed down after a few minutes, then ended the call. 

"Better?" Ben asked, as he put his phone away. She sniffled and nodded with a smile. "She's about to board her plane. Kelly is staying behind because of school, but she'll be with my aunt and uncle." Smiling, he told her, "See, everything's going to be okay."

They held each other's hands. "I'm sorry about today," she said. "I know you wanted to make this a special anniversary." Ben placed a kiss on her sweaty forehead. "Love, this is the most perfect way to celebrate our marriage. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in this world, than here with you, waiting to meet our beautiful child."

They shared a sweet kiss, until another contraction hit. 

**

Ben flexed his hand and hissed when it fully extended. "Ice?" A voice behind him quietly asked. He turned to see the doctor with a cloth of ice in his hand. Ben took it and whispered, "Thanks." He put it on his aching hand, then looked to Cassie. 

She was finally asleep after several gruesome hours of contractions. She was only seven centimeters after nearly six hours. The nurses told them it could take ten more hours to get to eight because she's seen it happen, but doubted it would happen to Cassie.

"You're family is out in the hall," the doctor informed him. "I believe it's your mum, dad, sister, and then...your niece? I'm not sure." Ben stood up, then said, "Thanks. I better give them some news before they come storming in."

He walked out of the room, then made a few turns in the halls, until he saw his family. "Ben!" Wanda said as she shot up from her seat. She hugged her son, then asked, "How is she?" His dad, Tracy, and Emily gathered around him. 

"She's sleeping now," he told them, "but she's been doing beautifully. She's about seven meters now, but it could be a little longer until she gets to ten." Tim patted his back. "Go back in there with her, son. We'll be here." 

Ben smiled and said, "Thanks, dad. And can you let us know when her mum gets here? Cassie's desperate to see her." They all promised and shooed him back into the room. Once he got back, he saw Cassie starting to wake up. 

"Hey, sleeping beauty," he said as he sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?" She huffed and grumbled, "Awful. It hurts everywhere." Ben stoked her stomach, then said, "I can get a nurse and see what we can do. What hurts the most?"

"My back," she told him. He pressed the button to call for a nurse, who came in a few minutes later. Ben explained the pain Cassie was feeling, so the nurse recommended a technique. "Basically you just get up on your hands and knees and you rest your head on the pillow so you don't get tired. Would you like to try?"

Ben helped Cassie sit up, then get on her hands and knees. "Now rest on your elbows," the nurse instructed, "then set your head on the pillow." Cassie did as she said, then sighed in relief. Ben covered up her modesty, where her hospital gown parted at the back, with a blanket.

He rubbed soothing circles on her back, then leaned down so his head was next to hers. "Feeling good, baby?" He asked. She nodded and said, "It feels so good." He continued to sooth her, until a contraction hit. 

"Oh, Ben, this is a big one!" She screamed. He took her hand and endured the pain as she squeezed. "That's it, Cass, almost there," he encouraged. "Let it out, baby." She screamed loudly and squeezed his hand the hardest she has all night. 

The nurse, who was still in the room, checked her. "She's eight centimeters now, Mr. Cumberbatch. If the contractions keep coming as bad as this, she could deliver sooner than expected."