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Chapter 20: Boy or Girl?

"OH MY GOD, IT FEELS LIKE I'M SHITTING A KNIFE!" I scream as we enter the hospital. Ethan grabs my sweaty hand while my mom gives me a wheelchair and I sit in it. "Everything's alright, Quinn."

"Breathe sweetie, breathe." everyone tells me. We finally reach the check-in desk.

"Ok, ma'am, you're gonna have to fill this out," the receptionist hands Ethan a packet of papers. Anger starts to build up inside of me and I try to stand up. "Harley, what are you doing?" my mom whispers to me. "Listen here," I lean over the counter. "I'm going into labor now. This," I say, pointing to my stomach. "Is happening now." Ethan puts his hand on mine. "Harley," he says softly. "No Ethan. I want a room and I want it NOW!"

Everyone gets quiet and it seems as if we were the only ones in the hospital. The receptionist steps back and yells, "Jackson, escort this woman and her family to a room, stat!" A man who looked to be in his 30s came from the back. "Right this way." He says.

When we get to the room, I pace the floor. "Where's the doctor? He should be in here!" I scream. "He's on the way, babe. How are you feeling?" Ethan asks. I start stripping off my jacket and say, "I'm hot. I need some water." My dad hops up. "I'll get it." he says before running out the room. Seconds later, our doctor, Dr. Goldstein and a couple of nurses file into the room. "Hiya, Harley. How are we feeling?" he asks me in a cheerful tone. "Oh, we're feeling fantastic. I just learned the chords to "Calling All Angels", finished painting the baby's room a couple of days ago. Oh, I almost forgot, I'm having a freaking baby!!" I groan and my mom moves me to the bed. "Alright, let's see how far long we are." I spread my leg apart and Goldstein looks. "Good news, we're only 6 centimeters dilated. You'll be ready to push after 8." He smiles at me and leaves the room.

I groan and lay my head on the pillow. "I'm back!" Goldstein comes in. He looks at me again and smiles. "It's time." Ethan runs over to me and grabs my hand. I start hyperventilating and my mom walks over and grabs my hand. I smile softly and nod my head. "I'm ready."

"Okay, Har, you're gonna hold your breath for 10 seconds and push." Dr. Goldstein says. I nod my head and when he says push, I hold my breath and push hard. "Oooouch!" I scream and tighten my grip on Ethan's hand. "Okay, ready?" one nurse asks and I nod my head again. I push harder on 10 and breathe heavily. "I wasn't ready! I was not ready!" Ethan pats my hair. "It's alright, Quinn. Just breathe." I push again and Ethan encourages me on. "This is all your fault! Ahhhhhh!" I yell at him.

After what feels like a million pushes, Goldstein announces, "I see the head!"

"Quinn, just a couple more pushes and it's over." Ethan tells me before kissing my cheek. "Push!"

I push harder and I feel relieved. I look at my mom and tears are in her eyes. Ethan kisses my head and whispers, "Is it still my fault?" I laugh and cry at the same time and Ethan does the same.

"It's a girl!" my mom sobs and Ethan rubs her shoulder.

"Who wants to cut the cord?" another nurse asks and Ethan looks at my mom. "How about we both do it?" Ethan suggest and they both hold a side of the scissors. Slowly, they cut the cord and a tear falls down my face. We actually did it!