Secrets. (Asa Butterfield Sequel to 'Changes')

37

a month later..

GEMMA'S POV

Today, Asa and I were packing my bag for the hospital. I was 8 months pregnant, ready to pop. I could go into labor any day now.

"Okay Ace, let's pack.. Well, let's pack the essentials first. Nightie, baby clothes, blankets, diapers.. What have I forgotten?" I trailed off.

"Toiletries, pillows, books and music? Oh, and we can get snacks or drinks on the way there." Asa put all the stuff we had laid out on the bed into my bag. Suddenly, I felt something like a griping pain. It wasn't very sore, just took me by surprise. I must've been making a face because Asa literally lunged over to me.

"Gem?! What's wrong, is it the babies?! Oh God.." I laughed a little.

"No Asa, I'm fine sweetie.. I just got this weird sensation in my tummy; maybe it's just butterflies or something." I shrugged it off. "Oh, can we bring those fluffy slippers of mine? I love them so much, they're so comfortable."

Asa nodded while smiling, "you bring whatever you want to bring Gem. I'll go and get them, where are they?"

"I think they're downstairs somewhere.. I kicked them off down there anyway." I nodded and sat down on the bed rubbing my massive bump. You could clearly see that it had dropped, and the babies were ready to pop out - literally.

Asa went and got the slippers. He came back in a few minutes, and as soon as he did I began to get that weird griping sensation again.

I winced in pain, "oh god.. How could I have been so stupid?! These are contractions starting to kick in.. My water could break any second, we have to get to the hospital!!" I took deep breaths like my pregnancy books had told me too. I was trying not to panic or stress out, as it wasn't good for the babies especially before giving birth, and besides I was one step closer to having them in my arms.

"Oh Gemma.. You'll be alright, come on let's get you into the car." Asa slung my hospital bag over his shoulder and made his way over to me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and guided me out of the house to the car.

"They've stopped again.." I said, feeling the sensation slowly start to fade away.

"I know, but we should just go to the hospital anyway.. As you said, your waters could break any minute."

I nodded, leaning my head against the window and practising the breathing I'd do while in labor.

After a 10 minute drive, feeling no contractions whatsoever, we finally made it to the hospital. I was clutching my bump with one hand, the other holding onto Asa's shirt as he grabbed the bag and helped me into the hospital. "My girlfriend is in labor!!" He rushed out as soon as we got to the reception desk. The lady there looked at us and pressed a button, which I assume was some sort of emergency one because a few nurses in blue scrubs rushed out with a wheelchair. Asa helped me sit down, and as soon as I did I felt water drip down my legs. This was it. Our babies were coming.

I squealed a little in shock, and also pain as a contraction came on. They were closer together now. The nurses rushed me to the maternity ward and quickly helped me get changed into the nightie I'd packed for the labor - a cute one with little Winnie the Pooh's all over it.

Asa set the bags down and rushed to my side once I'd got settled into the bed. He helped tie my hair back into a messy bun and rubbed my back, whispering soothing things to me. The midwives propped my legs up. "Okay--" one trailed off, peering at Asa for my name. "Gemma."

"Okay Gemma, I just want you to relax for me. My name's Mel." I nodded, breathing heavily. "Okay, so first of all I assume you're around 8-10 centimeters dilated, since your water has broken already.. But we're just going to check to find out how much exactly, is that okay?"

I nodded, holding onto Asa's arm as he stroked my hair.

"Now this may feel a bit uncomfortable." Mel put on some gloves and.. Well you know the rest. "Oh! I can feel baby A's head.. You're 9 centimeters."

"So, does that mean she's ready to give birth?" Asa said while looking at her.

"It does indeed.. Now, do you have a birthing plan? For example, natural birth, water birth, c-section.."

"I decided on a natural birth. " I said breathlessly. God, these contractions were only around 5 minutes apart.

"Great, any gas or air?" I nodded. These contractions were bad enough without the pain of a two little people shooting out through my private area.

Mel got the gas and air set up for me, "You're all set. Now I want you to listen to my instruction carefully, okay? On the count of three, I want you to push. Not too hard though, we'll start of with gentle ones. Now; one.. two.. three.. Push!!" I grabbed onto Asa's hand and pushed as gently as I could. I'd barely even got started and I could already feel beads of sweat starting to form on my head.

"Just like that baby, well done.." Asa pushed the hair back off my forehead. I stopped pushing and breathed heavily, leaning my head against the pillow as Mel looked down between my legs.

"Okay, again on the count of three. One.. Two.. Three.. Another gentle push for me Gemma, that's it." I did it all over again.

***

After what felt like 10 hours of pushing, but was only really half an hour, baby A's head had emerged. The pain I was in was unbearable. I had tears, snot and sweat on my face.

"You're doing great Gemma, one more push and the shoulders should be out.. Big push for me!!"

I screamed, pushing much much harder than before, stopping when I felt the baby slide out. Mel caught her and lifted her up, showing her to Asa and I. "Congratulations! Your first baby girl has arrived." I breathed a sigh of relief, still panting heavily. Asa kissed my forehead and whispered while the tears poured from his eyes, "You did it baby.." He sobbed out happily. I started to cry even more as well along with him.

Mel rubbed my baby girl's back with a towel, and as soon as she did I heard tiny little wails. Our baby was okay!! She handed the baby to another midwife and looked at me, "she's just going to get cleaned up and weighed, then we'll bring her straight back to you. First of all, we have to deliver baby B!"

I whimpered at the thought. "Oh God.. I have to go through all that again?"

Mel nodded, giggling lightly. "I'm afraid so, but just think, afterwards you'll have your two beautiful babies in your arms and that'll be the labor all over."

I nodded, taking in her words. She was right. "Let's go then." I breathed heavily and closed my eyes, repeating what I just did the first time.

***

After around an hour of pushing, I heard little cries. I knew our second baby had arrived. I took a sigh of relief, but all of a sudden my vision went blurry.. The room felt like it was spinning around me.

"You did it baby! I'm so so proud of you.." I heard Asa say, but his voice sounded far away. "Gemma? Babe, are you okay?"

And with that, everything went black.
______________________

A/N: SAHJDAKFN I'm sorry for that cliffhanger!! And also, I know that giving birth isn't as easy as I made it seem (even though I think I did a good job), but ya know I'm not an expert on stuff like that! Just know I tried my best : )

comment your opinions please i'd love to hear them :)

-alicia.