Taming the Bitch (COMPLETED)

Chapter XVIX - BELLA's LULLUBY

The beads of sweat trickled down her forehead, sliding over her flushed, reddened face. Gabrielle counted in her mind as she panted, striving to steady her breathing. Another searing bolt of pain shot down her spine into her pelvis, sending her soul seemingly tearing away from her body.

She threw back her head, screaming in agony.

"H-Help meeeee! Oh God, please!!!" she gasped, clutching the bedsheet so tightly that her knuckles turned white and the veins in her neck bulged as though ready to burst.

Exhaling sharply through her mouth, she pushed herself upwards, forcing with every ounce of strength, her jaws clicking as tears stung her eyes. She squeezed them shut, suppressing a scream to channel every bit of energy into her pelvic muscles.

She counted how long she should push, before collapsing back onto the bed in exhaustion, her legs splayed wide as though for eternity. She was certain she would barely manage to take a step tomorrow; it felt as though her hipbones were cracking with every effort.

"You're doing wonderfully, Bella..." came his whisper, lips pressing gently against her forehead. Shaking her head at him, she cried as she gripped his hand tightly.

"I can't... I can't anymore... Oh God, I can't!!!" she sobbed, her screams echoing as the pain intensified.

"Aaaaaah! Take her out!!!" she yelled, kicking and pulling at the bedsheet, grabbing at her husband's collar in a desperate, chaotic attempt to push him away.

"Take her out!!!" she shrieked, scratching at his neck, as if this would ease the excruciating pain of bringing his child into the world.

"You must help me, Gabrielle. Push harder," the doctor urged, holding her knee as she glanced up at Gabrielle, checking the progress of her labour.

"Now! Push!"

She felt his arms around her back, helping her lift herself as she gritted her teeth and pushed with every ounce she had. The loud cries of the newborn filled the delivery room as Gabrielle collapsed weakly onto the bed.

"What a beautiful girl! She looks just like you, Gab! Well, apart from the eye colour," the doctor said with a smile to Vincent, who couldn't tear his eyes from the tiny angel in his arms.

"I w-want to hold her... my Veronica..." Gabrielle whispered, almost pleading, reaching out for the doctor who was cleaning their daughter.

"Vincent, you might want to cut the umbilical cord?" the doctor suggested. Vincent gulped, glancing at his wife for reassurance.

Gabrielle extended her hand to him—not to lash out, not to vent her pain—but to encourage him.

"Go on, hold her. I've carried her for nine months; now you can touch her," she said, brushing his lips with her thumb. Vincent smiled, leaning down to kiss her still-trembling lips.

The doctor passed the most exquisite little girl to him. The moment she felt his warm, gentle hands, the baby quietened, her cries ceasing instantly.

Embracing her daughter, Vincent murmured, "She's got my eyes..." smiling softly.

"Let me see and hold her," Gabrielle said, reaching up. But Vincent didn't move. He simply gazed at their daughter, now calm in his arms.

"She's beautiful," he whispered, gently swaying the infant.

"Vince..." Gabrielle touched his arm, where their baby rested.

"She's mine..." he murmured absent-mindedly. Gabrielle's eyes widened as he suddenly turned his back.

The room seemed to darken around her.

"Vince! Where are you taking her?!" The darkness crept in, engulfing her vision. The only thing visible was the back of her husband holding their child.