JAAN :: ZAYN

the delivery

•zayn•

Turned out, Chiara's -- despite being eight centimeters dilated -- labor had to be induced even more. The problem with preeclampsia was one couldn't wait too late or the consequences would be fatal.

And so, the doctors -- both Francine and the specialist, Dr. Gardillo -- along with a few nurses were prepping for the delivery. Snapping gloves and washing hands. Tying up gowns and getting out emergency tools if they were needed.

Zayn and Chiara were surprisingly calm during the preparation, making a few jokes here and there. She had an IV in her arm because she needed certain nutrients -- such as magnesium sulfate -- to prevent any type of seizures of inconsistencies throughout delivery.

"You look cute," Chi giggled, holding Zayn's hand tightly, "like, adorable as shit."

"No cussin'," he smiled, leaning down and kissing her forehead, "how do you feel?"

"Like I have to poop really bad," she muttered truthfully, causing the nurse to chuckle at her, "or like I have to pee but the pee is secretly a huge baby."

Zayn shook his head and looked ahead as Francine sat on her stool and lowered it. It was comical how she was pregnant and delivering at the same time. Her stomach was big, and she looked like a sitting frog in her seat. Doctor Gardillo stood behind her.

"You're using your bare hands?" Zayn asked Francine incredulously.

"Yeah," she said with a smile, "I mean, if you didn't use latex then why should I?"

"For the last time, Francine--"

"I'm kidding, Zayn," she giggled, putting Chi's feet in the stirrups as Dr. Gardillo moved the hospital bed so she could sit up a little more. "Okay, Chi. Ready, darling?"

"Mhm," Chi hummed, a nervous look on her face, "wait, all my tests? Are they fine?"

"Fine enough for a patient with preeclampsia," Dr. Gardillo spoke up, his Italian ancient clearly evident in his voice, "the urine does have a little too much protein in it and your, ehm, your stress test results came back normal. There should be nothing wrong with this delivery."

"Okay," and Zayn let out a small sigh in relief.

"Just, if you feel lightheaded please tell us so we can stop. This will be a very slow delivery since you're still swollen."

"I'm ready," Chi spoke up, leaning her head on the pillow.

"Okay," Francine got her hands ready and scooted closer, "when I say push, count down from ten but don't try so hard on getting him out."

"Okay -- ow!" Chiara winced, squeezing Zayn's hand, "he's pushing hard."

"Just breathe," Gardillo stated calmly, "that's what we want the most."

They instructed Chiara to push and to say the pain was excruciating was actually a slight overstatement. It didn't hurt as bad as she was going for but then again, they were taking their time with it.

And either way, Chi had a high tolerance for pain, like, she had a tattoo on her face for crying out loud.

"Breathe, breathe," Francine instructed quietly, watching Chi take her breaths, "okay, push again, he's crowning already!"

Chiara pushed with all her might, her eyes closing and the small tears coming from her eyes falling down the sides of her face. Her hand squeezed Zayn's harder as she let out a groan from all the pushing.

"God," she cried and Zayn swiped the hair from her forehead. He shushed her and rubbed her stomach, wincing when he swore she sprained his hand or something while her grip tightened. Pregnant women were powerful, man.

"Here's the head, Chiara," Francine said from below them, "one more push, hon. Just one more."

"I can't do it," she sniffled, her whole face turning red as she tried to breathe correctly. She was looking down at the doctors and sweat glistened on her forehead. Zayn took a cold cloth and pat it around her face to keep her cool. She seat up a little more and pushed with any energy she had left.

"There we go, there we go," Francine smiled and looked down, then Zayn heard it.

Zayn heard the broken cries of his new son, RyDae. He watched in pure disgust and relief when his baby -- their baby -- was in Francine's arms after the umbilical cord was cut. A nurse took the red looking baby covered in various fluids to a small area. RyDae cried like...like. It was beautiful in a way, a little strangled and masked with a few whimpers and sniffles.

"Oh my God," Chiara cried softly when it was over, leaning back on the pillow and closing her eyes.

"No, babe, keep your eyes open," Zayn shook her lightly and she woke up again, taking a deep breath and looking for her baby.

"My baby," Francine handed Chi the baby and they both smiled down at him, "he's so precious, Zayn."

"Beautiful," Zayn muttered, looking down at his son in awe. He was whimpering soft cries and finally wrapped up in a white blanket. A small white hat was on his head and his lips were pursed. RyDae's skin was no longer red, it mellowed to a light brown, a little darker than Zayn's. His hair was thick and wavy and already, he had his daddy's eyelashes.

"Hold him, Zayn," Chiara whispered, not daring to wipe her tears and holding the newborn tighter.

"Okay," he pulled the baby away, shushing his cries and cradling him in his arms. Zayn sat down, watching his son move his tiny limbs and let out a small yawn.

Francine and Dr. Gardillo checked all of Chiara's vitals while Zayn held his new son. He was...he was at a loss for words on how this felt. He was an actual, official dad now. Something about his sperm causing all this mess made him realize he was like...he was actually on this earth and living. He was really in this bitch.

God, and RyDae was such a beautiful baby Zayn almost cried. He knew this kid was gonna be a momma's boy by the looks of it. It was hereditary.

And it was an instinct to hold him closer as he cried, a smile creeping into Zayn's face as he did so.

"Is he okay?" Chi muttered softly, lolling her head to the side as the doctors fussed over her.

"He's fine, baby. He's fine. You did good, Chi."

She smiled, hiccuping and rubbing her noticeably smaller stomach. "I love you guys. My two baby boys."

"Here we go," Francine rolled her eyes as she finished checking vitals, "momma's boy already. Thank you, Alejandro."

The Italian man just smiled. "It wasn't me, it's all her. Good luck to you all," he left the room and Francine made her way out also.

"I'll check on you two in a few minutes, I'll bring your family up, alright?"

"Thank you," Zayn spoke for Chi, who looked seriously warn out. At least she was healthy and so was RyDae. That was all that mattered.

"Welcome, baby boy," Zayn grinned at the precious little thing in his arms and kissed his forehead, "ya mommy's gonna spoil you, man."

Chiara just let out a tired laugh.

•zayn•

see? preeclampsia wasn't all that bad, you just gotta be careful, man.

love you guys🙊