Chapter 37
|Nicole " NiNi " Thomas|
I was in labor. The contractions weren't that bad, but I felt them. I was taking deep breathes. Mikhail was at practice and wasn't able to answer his phone. I swear to God I wanted to punch him. I grabbed my keys and was walking to the door. I was going to drive my damn self. But that was short lived when a contraction hit. I pulled out my phone to call Tiffany. We weren't friends, but we talked from time to time. I knew she was at practice and they practiced in the gym with the basketball players, when they couldn't use the field.
"Hello."
"Tiffany."
"Are you okay? Why you sound like that?" She asked.
"I'm in labor." I gritted out.
"Oh my god. Breathe Nicole."
"Tell that baby daddy of mine to come take me to the hospital, now." I said.
"Okay hang on." She said and hung up.
Who told her to hang up? Lord help me.
|Mikhail " Khail " Daniels|
We just finished our warmups and running laps. We were about to start a practice game, when Tiffany brung her ass over here. I hope she wasn't about to start no shit again. I didn't have time for her games.
"Khail."
"What Tiffany?" I asked in disdain.
"Nicole's water broke." She said urgently.
"Oh shit." I got up and ran out the gym, leaving everything behind. When I got to the car I wondered were my keys were.
"Forgot something." Tiffany said from behind me. I grabbed my stuff from her and unlocked the door. I got in and pulled off. I pulled my phone from my bag. I seen I had missed calls and texts from Nicole.
"Hello." She answered.
"How far along are you contractions?"
"Ten minutes apart." She said.
"Just hold on tight I'm almost there."
"Okay. I called your parents. They said they were on their way." She said. Hell I had forgot all about them.
I quickly made my way home. I ran up the stairs to our apartment. Fuck taking the elevator.
"Nicole!" I yelled walking inside.
"I'm right here." She said. I grabbed her hand and helped her to the elevator. Everything was already packed, all we had to do was make it to the hospital.
|Nicole " NiNi " Thomas|
We arrived to the hospital around ten this morning. I was completely effaced and two centimeters dilated.
I worked through each contraction by closing my eyes and focusing on the end result: my baby. Mikhail held my hand and reminded me to breathe. We watched the contractions on the screen and listened to the baby's heartbeat. It was quiet.
By 1:45 a.m. I was seven centimeters dilated. The doctor asked if I wanted an epidural, I said yes and the nurse started to prepare my IV. At 1:50, I felt an overwhelming desire to push. The nurse told me to wait for the doctor to return.
"You doing good baby." Mikhail said. I gave him a small smile.
Five minutes later, I was at nine centimeters. The doctor said we could move things along, or we could wait for the epidural.
"You can start pushing." The doctor said. Mikhail was holding my hand and wiping my forehead.
I started to push at 2:05 and our baby girl arrived thirteen minutes later. It happened so fast, the doctor was struggling to put her gloves on. Mikhail family hadn't even arrived yet.
Mikhail crazy ass had said earlier he wasn't sure if he would watch the birth or cut the cord, but he ended up doing both and I was glad he did. He said he didn't know if he could take it.
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At 2:18 p.m., London Renee Daniels was born 7 pounds, 9 ounces and 20 inches long.
I fell in love the minute I saw her. The pain disappeared and I was so relieved to have her in my arms. Mikhail couldn't stop smiling. She was perfect. I whispered her name as she looked at me with those hazel eyes. She was even more beautiful than I imagined.
The doctor and nurses kept saying they were amazed she was my first because the birth happened so fast. The nurse had to remind Mikhail that he could take pictures. Mikhail and I laughed because we had packed all this stuff -- iPods, magazines, books, pillows, snacks for him, and my blanket for comfort, and it was over in less than four hours. I was amazed. I didn't think I was capable of that. When the doctor offered me some Percocet, I laughed. What did I need that for now?
Next time, I will have more faith in myself. If I can have a natural, unmedicated childbirth, I can do anything. Women should have faith in themselves: Our bodies are amazing and can do anything. I have respect for all women who give birth no matter their circumstances. Pregnancy and childbirth is an amazing thing.
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"Where she at?" Ronnie loud ass bust through the door.
"Ronnie hush." Lonnie said smacking him upside the head. I giggled.
"Woman hit me again and watch how quick I take my belt off." She pushed he outta the way. Everyone surrounded the baby as she slept.
"She is so beautiful." Alyana said.
"Thank you." I said.
They spent a few hours taking pictures of the baby, cooing over her, arguing about who the better god-parent would be, and holding her. Keith had to break it up 'cause Ronnie was about to start whooping ass.
I wasn't too tired, but the nurse said we needed to rest. Everyone said they'd be back tomorrow to check on us. Mikhail was staying. I couldn't help the smiled that graced my face when I looked at London. She was finally here and our little family was complete.
