Stay With Me - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 52

They all jumped as the door to the backseat opened, revealing Kath's midwife with a wheelchair.

"Hi, Kath! Let's get you inside, shall we?" The nurse said encouragingly, but she smiled when she saw Karla. "Hey! Small world." She said and Karla gave her a soft smile.

"That it is!"

"You know each other?" DJ asked, opening the door and getting out of the car so he could help Kath out of the car.

"I trained Doctor Monroe here!" Karla said, kissing Kath's temple. "So, you can trust her too, alright? We're both gonna be right with you the whole time." Karla promised and Kath just groaned, letting out a sob as she arched her back to try and get comfortable, but it was impossible. "She feels ready to push," Karla informed Doctor Monroe, who nodded her head.

"Okay, Kath, DJ is going to help you out of the car and into the chair. It's still raining, so take your time - be careful." Doctor Monroe said, holding onto the wheelchair with one hand but she helped DJ the best she could and Karla did too, to get Kath out of the car and into the chair without making her too uncomfortable. DJ held onto Kath's hand, rushing beside the wheelchair as they made their way quickly into the hospital and Miles gave Kath a hug and a kiss before going into the relatives' room where Rommel was already waiting, Karla going with DJ to the private room that was all ready for them. "We're gonna get you up on the bed and I'm gonna check to see how you're doing and how well Baby is coping with the contractions, okay? Then I'll make sure she's in the right position." Doctor Monroe said and Kath just nodded her head, barely noticing or paying attention to anything as they got Kath out of the chair and onto the bed, getting her out of her dress and into a gown.

"Okay, Kath, Baby Girl is definitely ready to be born and she's got her head down, which is perfect. She's coping really well, alright? She's got a really strong heartbeat. On your next contraction, I want you to push as hard as you can all way down - you can finally push, so do it!" Doctor Monroe encouraged, smiling proudly as Kath did as she was told, letting out a cry of agony as she did so but she was holding tightly onto Karla and DJ's hands.

"I love you, I love you so fucking much," DJ whispered into her ear before kissing it, running his thumb across the back of her hand.

"Breathe, sweetheart, panting breaths." Karla guided her through it, encouraging her along with Doctor Monroe on what to do whilst DJ told her how proud he was of her. Tears were running down his face, hating to see her in so much pain and it made him think of what it must have been like for her at the age of sixteen to give birth to Junior completely on her own.

"That's it, Kath! You're doing so well! Her shoulders are completely born now - one more big push and she'll be here!" Doctor Monroe encouraged and Kath let out a sob, kissing DJ back when he leaned in and connected their lips, and Karla rubbed her arm, tears burning her eyes but she was doing her best to blink them back.

"You've been doing this for so long now, sweetheart - you've got this. One more big push on the count of three, alright?" Karla encouraged and Kath nodded her head, tears mixing with sweat. She was anxious and excited to meet her daughter, but she was terrified that she wouldn't hear a cry - that she'd lose her baby girl the same way she lost her son.

"One... two... three!" Karla smiled proudly as Kath pushed and she collapsed back against the bed as the pressure disappeared from between her legs and DJ leaned over her, kissing her all over her face. Their pride faded quickly, the room falling into a moment of silence - the baby made no sound at all.

"No... no, NO!" Kath screamed, bursting into sobs but it was in that moment that the room was filled with another cry.

The baby girl cried.

The sound made Kath cry harder, numb with relief and the greatest joy she'd ever felt, and DJ practically screamed with happiness, kissing Kath everywhere he could all over again and Karla kissed both of them, tears streaming down her face.

"She's here! Would Daddy like to cut the cord?" Doctor Monroe asked and Kath pushed him gently, silently encouraging him to do it and DJ shakily walked over and he sobbed harder at the sight of his little girl.

"She's beautiful... she's so beautiful, Kath." DJ choked out, Kath's sobs getting harder and DJ followed the doctor's instructions on where to cut and he grinned wider than he ever had when their crying daughter was placed on Kath's chest - she was meeting her daughter for the first time.

"Oh my Gosh... oh, little girl, you're perfect... you're so perfect." Kath sobbed, rubbing her daughter's back to comfort her and the family all cried together as the baby girl calmed down, comforted in her Mom's familiar and safe embrace. She was perfect and healthy.