'Standing By' (Book 1)

Twenty-Five

{Kirstie's POV}

"Jeremy!" I screamed at him as my water broke.

"What?" I was standing in the bathroom and he came in and was just standing there.

"I was going pee but got in here, and my water, broke."

"I'll call an ambulance!"

I grabbed the collar of his shirt, "No! I need to go now, Jeremy. I can't wait for an ambulance to get here."

"You want me to drive you all the way there?"

"Yes! Now, Jeremy."

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We got to the hospital and they rushed me in.

"What's your name sweetie?" A young nurse asked me.

"Kirstie, M-Maldonado."

"How far along are you?"

"I'm about 9 months. I'm due next Friday."

"Alright." She walked away to write some stuff down.

They took me to a big room and Jeremy finally caught up after getting held back by questions.

"Jeremy. I'm scared."

"I know, babe. It's gunna be okay. I'm right here."

"Don't leave me. Please."

"Never."

About an hour later and I still hadn't had Emerald yet. I was starting to get angry with the nurses and doctors.

I felt something coming and I called for a nurse.

"What? What?"

"I feel it! I need to push!"

"Doctor!"

A doctor came in, ready to deliver my baby.

"Okay, Kirstie. Push!" I pushed really hard and it hurt so bad.

"It hurts!" I put my head back in frustration.

"You gotta keep going Kirstie. She's almost here."

I pushed really hard again, twice. It hurt like hell. Then, I heard a baby crying.

"She's beautiful, Kirst." Jeremy kissed my head.

"Here she is, Kirstie. Emerald Ava." The nurse handed my daughter to me and I started to cry.

"She's so, so beautiful." Jeremy kissed my head again, and then rubbed Emerald's tiny hand.

"I need to take her now so we can do tests on her. Okay?" A nurse said to me.

"Okay." I handed Emerald to the nurse. I felt very tired and suddenly feel asleep.

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I woke up to Mitch and Scott barging in. "Kirstie!" Scott yelled, coming to my bed.

"Hi Scott. Hi Mitch."

"Hey Kirst." Mitch grabbed my hand, tears streaming down his face.

"Why are you crying Mitchie?"

"I don't know. I'm just proud of you, that's all."

"Why are you proud of me?"

"Because, you're so strong. You gave birth to that beautiful baby girl."

"Have you seen her yet?"

"Nope. But I'm sure she's beautiful."

"She is." Jeremy chimed in.

"Nurse." The nurse turned her head to answer me.

"Yes, Kirstie?"

"Can I see my baby again?"

"Sure. I'll be back."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She came back and had Emerald in her arms.

"She's so beautiful Kirstie." The nurse handed her to Mitch and tears fell down his face.

"She is, isn't she?"

"Absolutely." Scott added. He was crying too, but not as much as Mitch.

They stayed there for a while, watching me hold Emerald. They kept crying and crying, which made me cry. But I was so happy.