From Rome with love (Book 3)

Welcome to the world Stella

*Zac*
"You can press now". The doctor say with a smile, as she is placed between Dahlia's legs in the stirrups.

I have quickly scrubbed my hands and arms with disinfectant soap, and now I am holding her hand, watching as she grinds her teeth and push with all she has.

"Good, very good". The doctor say. "Hold back just a bit my dear, no need to rush and push her out in one go, you just risk ripping yourself".

It takes me a second to realise what she is talking about and I suddenly feel faint. Okay I have a whole new respect for women. If we men had to go through this, no one would have more than one kid.

"And now breathe through the break, gasp.. the burning is the head being almost out". The doctor say. "Next contraction and we'll have the head out. You are doing brilliant".

Next contraction ? I mean like this only takes two pushes and the baby is out ? I had expected hours and hours of pushing, screaming and sweating. "Already ? Isn't it fast ?"

The doctor giggles. "Yeah already Mr Pugh. But you are right, it is a very fast birth, especially for a first time. If you want you can come here and have a look".

"Okay". I say a little uncertain, but I step down there nonetheless. Okay I am not really sure it was a good idea. I am not sure I should see my wifes.. lady parts this.. strained. But it's fascinating seeing how the female body works. Right there she is, my daughter, the top of a head looking out of.. okay I better not think of that. With what looks like a mane of dark curls. I suddenly feel myself getting all choked up.

Dahlia starts whimpering and the doctor has her hands ready. "Come on sweetie, push.. one big push". And with wonder I watch as the head slowly comes out. I can still only see loads of hair, as she is looking down.

"And now gasp through the break, next push she is born". The doctor say. Then she smile at me. "Do you want to receive her ?"

"I.. Can I do that ? Is it safe ?" My heart is beating wildly. What if I drop her or do something wrong ?

She nod. "I promise you, it's completely safe and I am right here beside you all the way. Come her and stand beside me and place a hand here and here".

I do as she tells me, trying to push my feelings away right now. I need to focus on the task ahead. When Dahlia starts pushing the doctor instructs me. "Now slowly turn her right, and pull softly so the shoulders slide past the pelvic bone".

And then she suddenly slips out into my hands and a scream rips the air as my  daughter says welcome to the World.

"Shh jelly bean, nothing bad is gonna happen". I gently take her up on my arm, not caring that I get blood and goo on my clothes. She stops crying and look up at me with big dark eyes. This is the moment I realise that love has a whole new level I never knew about before.

The doctor looks at Dahlia. "Do you want her right up on Your chest, before she is cleaned up ?"

"Yeah definitely". Dahlia looks at me with such love, that I start choking up again.

"Let's just get the umbilical cord cut then". The doctor say smiling. I hold Stella as she puts some clamps on. Then she looks at me. "Do you want to do the honour".

I nod. "Sure".

She gently takes Stella from my arms and a nurse hands me a scissor. "Just cut between the two clamps".

I breathe in and make the cut, the the doctor hands Stella to Dahlia, who gently cradles her in her arm, looking at our little girl. "Oh look at how tiny she is, but so perfect and she has Your hair love".

"She is perfect, just like her mother". I look at them and I can't control the overwhelming feeling of love. I press a kiss to the top of Dahlia's head, my tears dripping into her hair. "Thank you, Thank you so much for making me a father".

*Dahlia*
My heart is bursting with love and pride as I look at my baby daughter. She is so small, but so perfect with her fathers dark curls. And the look on Zac's face makes me only love him more if that is even possible.

After about ten minutes a nurse comes to take Stella, to clean her up a bit and get her checked through and weighed. Zac holds my hand as the doctor press on my stomach to get the placenta out. It hurts a little bit, but not to much. She washes me a bit and check me out, smiling at me. "You are one lucky lady, only two minor scrapes and no ruptures. Nothing that needs stitches".

"You did so good baby, I am so proud of you". Zac lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it softly.

"And I am proud of you. You did perfectly. Not only in handling me but also receiving our little jelly bean". I send him a soft smile.

The nurse comes over with Stella, now cleaned and wearing a small beanie to keep her head warm. "She is perfect, small, only 48 cm(1'6) and 2550 g(5,5 lbs) but healthy as a horse and I think she might be hungry".

I start unbuttoning my dress in the front with my free hand, but Zac quickly reaches in and do it for me. I am happy I wear one of my new nursing bras. Honestly I have had to for two weeks because my boobs has grown two sizes and I feel like Dolly Parton. But now I can just snap it open and gently place Stella by my nipple.

She starts seeking around with her hands and face, like a kitten seaking milk and soon after she finds the nipple and I hold it, trying to help her. I am happy I took a curse while Zac was filming. She latch on and starts to suck.

Zac looks at her, reaching out to run a finger down her cheek as she sucks with everything she got. "We did good here, really good. Sorry but we have to make more of these".