oxygen (e.d.)

short chapter 8: emerson rose

<ethan>

"just breathe," i say, not remembering if i'm reminding her or myself.

"i can't, ethan," she grips my arm.

"hey, hey we're almost there," i assure, swinging into the mothers ward parking lot.

i called in right as she started having contractions, so they're outside waiting for her with a wheelchair.

i barely get to touch her before they have her whisked away.

"this baby is coming now," she growls and holds her stomach as i follow through the hospital halls.

"uh- uh," i stutter from nerves exploding, "how can i help-"

"call my mom," she orders, "and tell her to get here now."

"we'll have you admitted into a room as soon as possible, mrs. dolan," a nurse explains calmly.

riley is not having it. she starts to whine and groan, most likely from the pain, or just because pregnant women are usually irritable.

i hold her hand tightly as we wait, and a nurse comes rushing to get us into a room.

her mom shoots me a text saying they're on their way. i feel bad, considering it's 2am, but i know they would want to be here.

they get riley into a bed and she starts to breathe a little normally.

"in and out," the nurse instructs, "it helps with the pain."

i do them with her and anxiously await the arrival of her parents.

they make it into the hospital and into the room, but riley's contractions have only gotten worse.

"you're 8 cm dilated," the doctor says, "this baby is coming very soon."

riley lets out a frustrated groan and i stroke her hair. it's the only thing i can do right now.

"it's going to be worth it," her dad tries to soothe, "when you see your baby's face, it'll all be worth it, i promise."

his words make her relax and she gets 9 cm dilated.

"okay," i say, "i'm new at this, but i'm pretty sure our kid is coming right now."

she screams in pain and grips my hand harder. i start to sweat on my forehead, and remain calm.

after 20 more minutes, the nurse exclaims, "10 centimeters! it's time."

everyone starts rushing around riley and pushing me out of the way.

"what do i do?" i ask the nurse.

"comfort is all she needs right now."

i take my place at the edge of the bed next to her parents and whisper words of encouragement and do the breathing again.

she pushes and pushes and pushes for about an hour, but they don't see anything.

"come on," she groans, pushing while gritting her teeth, "please."

i hate seeing her in pain.

"i see a head!" the doctor exclaims and my heart races.

it's happening.

she pushes more and there's a sense of waiting. waiting for something.

"a body," the doctor encourages, "keep going."

riley attempts to arch her back, and throws her all into her strongest push yet.

"yes!" i yell, "keep it up! you got this."

after another hour of pushing, riley collapses once we hear wailing.

"oh my god," she whispers, tears slipping out of her eyes and body shaking, "oh my god is that my baby?"

the doctor does something quickly with our baby and smiles widely, "your baby girl."

a girl.

i always wanted a girl.

i can't help but cry with riley and her parents as the nurses take her calmly away to get cleaned up.

"ethan," she smiles while sobbing, "we did it."

"you did it," i correct placing a kiss on her hot and sweaty forehead, "that was all you, baby."

a nurse returns with 'unnamed baby girl' swaddled in a blanket.

"healthy, ten toed little girl needs a name," she smiles, "think about it and let me know."

she places her in riley's arms gently, allowing me to take a good look.

"she definitely got her dad's looks," riley laughs a happy, fulfilled laugh.

i lean over the hospital bed and places a kiss on riley's cheek, one hand under the baby.

"what name are we thinking?" i ask softly.

"i know i said i always wanted tate for a girl, but she doesn't quite look like a tate."

"how about norah?" linda asks, peering over and smiling gently.

"she's not a norah either," i say, "she looks like an... she looks like an emerson."

all eyes turn to me, and i fear i've said the wrong thing.

"we don't have to pick that-"

"no," riley cuts me off, "no that's beautiful. she's definitely an emerson."

"wait, really?" i ask.

"she's an emerson. emerson rose."

i smile and practice the name over and over in my head.

emerson rose dolan, born 6:37 am, june 3