Who's Your Daddy?

Who Did This To Me?

Sean stood at the hospital entrance with a huge smile on his face.  He was also wearing a new shirt under his white lab coat.  His was purple and read “Doc,” then, “Otosan”—Japanese for father.  As Owen stopped the SUV, Sean ran to my door.  “POOKIE!  We’re having a baby today!”

I tried to smile at his enthusiasm, but I was in the middle of a particularly vicious contraction. Kota ran up and tried to keep me focusing on the breathing.  “Ten, try to count.  Count to ten with me.  Breathe in on a ten count.”  I was finally able to read his shirt. It read, “52,” then, “Ate.”

“One, two, three, aaaahhhhhhh!”  My voice broke again as my scream turned into a whisper of pain. 

A smiling nurse brought a wheelchair beside the SUV.  I leaned out of the car into Sean’s arms until the contraction subsided.  Once I could breathe again I let Sean help me into the wheelchair.  North immediately jumped behind me to push.  “Kota, what is Ate?”

“It means ‘Father’ in the language of the Dakota Indian Tribe,” he beamed as he walked beside me. “It's pronounced Ah-Deh.”

“Oh, Kota, that's perfect.” I grabbed his hand and clutched it tightly, my tremors vibrating his arm.  “Victor,” I said, turning my head. “Did you bring your music?”

“Of course I did, Princess.”  Victor took my left hand as North wheeled me into the hospital behind Sean. 

We stopped at the elevators.  “Luke?” I twisted, looking for my gorgeous blonde husband.  I pulled him over to me, then grabbed his shirt to pull his ear down to my level.  Whispering, I asked, “Did you bring chocolate?”

“If he did, I will make sure it is thrown away, Sang Baby,” North interrupted. 

“Damn your hearing, man!” Luke winked at me and whispered back, “Of course I did, and it’s very well hidden. You can't have any until you have my baby, but I got your favorite.”

“Toblerone?” I asked hopefully.

“With almonds, My Forever.” Luke kissed me softly on the forehead as the elevator door dinged. North wheeled me gently in. Nathan took the spot to my right and crouched down to put his arm around me. I leaned into Nathan's strong chest and grabbed his hands. Another contraction was beginning and I moaned as I fought the pain.

Sean came to my left. “Pookie, remember what we talked about. Every contraction is your body positioning our baby and pushing her down into the birth canal. Your body is doing a beautiful job.”

I twisted my head to glare up at him as I breathed to Kota’s soft counts behind me. “I promised myself I wouldn't do the stereotypical ‘I hate you, this is all your fault’ spiel. But right now you're all very lucky we don't know which one of you di— Aaaaaarrrrrggghhhh!!! It hurts!”  A very sharp pain cut me.  “Sean!  Please make it stop,” I begged. “Please.”

The elevator door opened on the second floor and I was wheeled into a large conference room turned birthing suite.  Sean reassured me the entire way, “Oh, Sang, Pookie, we will get you settled and get an epidural. We have an excellent anesthesiologist.”  North wheeled me beside the bed that doubled as a delivery table. In the midst of a contraction, I could not move myself to the bed.  Gabriel came around and held my hand until it passed.  Once I could think rationally again, I stood up and Gabriel helped me undress.  Soothing hands rubbed my bare back and swollen stomach while I waited on Gabriel to bring over the specially ordered hospital gown.  It was hot pink and said “Mommy” across the front.  My stressed and nervous body welcomed the strong, capable hands of my protectors.  I drew strength from their touches.