A Falice Story

37. "Breathe, Honey, Breathe..."

"Where's Dr. Carter!?" I whine, trying to get more comfortable in my hospital bed. You'd think they'd make the damn things more comfortable--I'm only pushing a human being out of my body.

"He'll be up in a second, honey," FP says, handing me the ice chips I requested. 

"Did you call everyone?" I ask him, wincing between words.

He nods, "The kids and Gladys are on their way back from the slopes, Fred and Hermione should be here any second, Polly is leaving shortly, and Charles is driving over after work."

"Thanks, honey," I lean forward and his lips meet mine. "This hurts way more than I remember..."

FP sits on the edge of my bed and strokes my hair, "I'm sorry, babe. It'll be over before you know it though." He presses a kiss to my lips and smiles, rubbing my belly. "I can't believe it Al--we get to hold her today."

I smile and pull him closer to me, "I know. I can't wait."

We're interrupted by a knock at the door and the (still) handsome Dr. Carter enters. "How are we feeling, Alice?" 

"Ugh, awful."

He starts to check how far I am, and FP glares at him. I slap his arm, "It's his job, FP," I hiss. 

"Everything looks good, Alice. You're 5 centimeters along, so halfway there." 

I put my legs back down, "What about the epidural?" I question, nervous of his answer.

Dr. Carter gives me a sympathetic look, "Well, we got your blood work back, and your platelet count is too low. You'd run the risk of bleeding too much, and for that reason, I can't allow you to get one."

"Are you freaking kidding me?!" I say, close to tears.

FP runs his hand up and down my back, "It's okay, honey."

"That's easy for you to say! Your body isn't being annihilated!" I cry, as another contraction hits. 

"I'm sorry, Alice. I'll be back to check on you after a while. In the meantime, if you need anything, just ask Melissa," Dr. Carter exits the room, and his nurse gives me a warm smile, and moves to the monitor to watch my contractions. 

"Ow--ow--JESUS CHRIST!" 

FP gives me his hand and I take it, squeezing hard. "Breathe, honey, breathe. In and out."

"Don't tell me what to do, you idiot!" I yell at him, but instantly feel guilty. 

Before I can apologize, there is a knock on my door, "That's the same thing I told him when we were building the crib," Fred jokes and Hermione slaps his shoulder. "Not the time," she warns. 

Fred is holding a beautiful bouquet made up of pink and white flowers and attached to it is a hot pink balloon that says 'It's a Girl!' Hermione carries a gift box, tied up with a big, sparkly, pink bow. 

"Hey, guys," FP says, still rubbing my back. 

"Aw, that's so--so sweet," I say, trying to concentrate on our guests instead of the pain. I get through my contraction, breathing a sigh of relief, "That was a big one."

Hermione comes over, sitting on the other side of the bed, "No epidural?"

I shake my head sadly, "Unfortunately, my platelet count is too low, so I can't get one."

She frowns sympathetically, "Oh, poor girl. You got this though. How far along are you?"

"5 centimeters."