Blame It (Of Mice & Men)

Meeting Jellyfish

Alan helped me out of the tub and I threw on some sweatpants and a tshirt before slipping on my moccasins. Alan grabbed my labor bag and I gripped his shoulder as he helped me to the car, having to stop every few minutes as a contraction would hit. Alan called the hospital, warning them we were on our way. He then called Tino who screamed before hanging up.

"Alan, it hurts," I said as we pulled into the hospital parking lot. "I know, honey. It's gonna be okay, come on," he said, getting out and coming around to my side to open the door and help me out. We walked into the hospital and a nurse put me in a wheelchair, taking me to the room.

They put me in a hospital gown and hooked me up to the heart monitor before sticking an IV in my arm. I signed my form for my epidural and they told me to relax until Dr. Martinez got there. My doctor came in a little later and smiled at me. "Okay, Mrs. Ashby. I'm going to check a couple of things and then we'll see what all needs to be done," he said as he pulled on a pair of gloves.

I nodded and groaned as another contraction ripped through me, making my jaw go slack and my eyes squeeze shut. Suddenly, a fast beeping went through the room and I looked over to see the heart monitor rising. "What's going on?" Alan asked. I looked at Dr. Martinez who was shaking his head in an almost scared manor.

"What?" I asked, suddenly concerned. "I think the cord might be wrapped around Jellyfish's neck. We need to get this started or else we could lose the baby," he said. He called for the nurse and I began to panic.

"Alan I want Tino," I said, my breathing starting to get rapid. Alan quickly ran out of the room and in two seconds, he and my brother were on either side of me. "You can do it, April. It's gonna be okay," Tino whispered, holding my hand.

"Okay, April I'm gonna need you to push okay?" Dr. Martinez said, settling in between my legs in his chair. I nodded and Tino and Alan each grabbed ahold of a knee and a hand to try and make it easier. "One, two, three, push, April!" Dr. Martinez said. I pushed and screamed at the feeling.

Even with the epidural, it fucking hurt. I pushed 3 more times and heard my Jellyfish cry out. I collapsed in exhaustion and Alan kissed my head. "It's a girl!" was the last thing I heard before I sank into darkness.

*Alan's POV*

It all happened fast then. "We're losing her!" One of the nurses yelled, rushing to April. Dr. Martinez quickly pushed Tino and I out the door and I couldn't do anything but stand and watch as they pulled out the defibrillator.

"APRIL!" Tino screamed, banging the door, tears rushing down his face. I was too shocked to react. My baby girl was born and my fiancé might die. They pressed the pads to her chest and her body jumped. They shocked her once more and everything was calm again.

Dr. Martinez walked out and nodded. "She's okay. We're going to keep her overnight. Mr. Ashby, Mr. Arteaga, please feel free to stay." We both nodded and the nurse walked out holding my daughter. My daughter. The nurse smiled at me and handed me the pink bundle.

I looked down to see a baby with pale skin, blue eyes, and fire-red hair. I smiled as tears came to my eyes. "Hi Julia," I whispered. "Julia Harmony Ashby." "Julia?" Tino asked, looking over my shoulder. "It sounds like Jellyfish," I said, kissing her tiny head before the nurse took her once more to the nursery.