Serendipitous

Labor of Love

Drabble Challenge
AMACon4 Day 7
PROMPT: You're Gonna Suffer But You're Gonna Be Happy About It

Oh God, I didn't know it would hurt this bad. Is it possible to back out still? Parang hindi ko kakayanin e. Ang sakit-sakit na talaga.

Sweat ran in rivulets down my face, mingling with the tears that flowed from my eyes. I bit my lip to stem the moan of pain coming from my lips as I gripped the sheets of my warm, sterile bed.

"Babe," you said as you clasped my cold, clammy hand in yours. "I'm really, really sorry. Kung alam ko lang talaga na ganito katindi yung sakit na mararamdaman mo, hindi na ako pumayag dito kahit anong pagpupumilit pa ginawa mo."

"Alden, kung kaya ko lang talaga, binatukan na kita ngayon," I replied in an irritated yet weak voice. "As if you could have resisted my wishes once I pulled out all the tricks from my book. Kaya kung magda-drama ka lang dyan, umalis ka na lang dito."

Alden pouted before answering back, "Ikaw talaga, kahit kailan binabasag mo ako. Seryoso naman talaga ako e. Ang hirap makita na nasasaktan ka nang ganyan at ako ang dahilan."

"Excuse me noh! Mag-isa ka lang bang gumawa ng baby natin? I was with you all the - ooof!" I gripped Alden's hand tightly as a contraction started once more.

Tonight, after 38 weeks of waiting, we are ensconced in a in birthing suite as we await the arrival of our child, Sebastian Airen Mendoza Faulkerson.

The pain this time was even more intense and I gritted my teeth as I held onto my husband's hand. "Mrs. Faulkerson, you're already 10cm dilated. Ready na po ba kayong mag-push? Tandaan po, wag kayong sisigaw para ma-focus natin yung energy mo sa pag-push kay baby. Do not forget to breathe, okay? This is the last stretch, mommy, you can do this!"

My OB, the residents and nurses prepared the items needed for the delivery of our baby. "I will tell you when to push and when to stop," Dr. Dela Rosa informed me as she injected something on my lady bits while the contraction was happening. "And... push!"

I gritted my teeth and concentrated on pushing with all my strength. Rj wiped the sweat of my brow as he looked at me in concern.

"Again!" I pushed with all my might and my doctor exclaimed, "The head is almost out! One more push, mommy!"

Grunting my agreement, I pushed again and again until I felt I could no longer do it. And suddenly on the last push, I felt blessed relief come over me as Dr. Dela Rosa placed an angry-looking little baby on my tummy. "Congratulations, mommy and daddy! Baby Faulkerson is finally here, born 7:16pm!"

"Oh Basti, you're finally here... oh my love, you look so handsome like your daddy and you're a crybaby like him, too," I whispered as my trembling fingers traced Basti's delicate cheeks.

"Babe, he's perfect," Alden said as tears ran down his face while a goofy grin stretched his mouth. "Thank you for giving me this precious gift, love."

"Mommy, kukunin ko na po si baby so we can clean him up muna," the nurse told them with a smile. "Ibabalik po namin siya mamaya so you can feed him. Congratulations po ulit, Mr. and Mrs. Faulkerson!"

As the nurse wheeled Basti away, I glanced up at Rj and whispered, "Babe..."

"Hmm, ano yun, love?"

"I want a baby girl next time."