He Who Conquers Others Is Strong, He Who Conquers Himself Is Mighty

Kiss

I was pacing around the room rubbing on my stomach. I'd been here what felt like hours there was no sign of my brother, or Julian. I was huffing and puffing, making my way through my 10th contraction since we'd been here and I up to now, refusing gas, air and any sort of pain relief. "Penny sweetie, you sure you don't want to take anything?" Allie asked me, sitting on the bed that was meant for me. I shook my head, "I'm good" I replied a little breathy, still working on wearing a groove in the floor. Yet I didn't miss the concerned look she gave Amelia. "I feel okay you two, stop fretting" I said, "but I could murder a Turkey sandwich right now" I sighed, turning my head to stare up at the ceiling, almost praying one would drop out through the ceiling tiles. "you know you shouldn't be eating anything right now" Amelia said, and I nodded. "I know, I know, I'm just starving" I whined, right as another contraction came over me, "sonofabitch!" I grunted at this one. It was a biggie. "Sweetie" Allie rushed to my side and grabbed my hand, almost as fast at Amelia was there at my other side. 

"Thank you both for being here with me" I winced through the pain. "coz that div of a husband of mine isn't here!" I grunted as the contraction got stronger. "Christ! I puffed out, "since when were contractions 3 minutes long?!" I snapped glancing at the clock we were timing them on. "I better call the nurse..." Amelia bumbled, trying to let go of my hand. "Pen...I need my hand back mate..." Amelia said, trying to shake me off. "In...a...minute...." I puffed, and finally released her as the discomfort began to subside. "I'll be back in a second" she said, rushing to the door. I leaned back against the side of the bed and regained my breath, still holding onto Allie's hand. 

Amelia opened the door and stopped in her tracks as a flash of white shot passed, but then reversed and filled the doorway. "babe!" The worried voice of my husband filled the silence in the room. He rushed in and straight over to me, grabbing my head and pressing a kiss to it. "oh baby, are you okay?" He hushed me as I felt myself becoming so overwhelmed by it all. I nodded at him and felt him press another kiss to my head, right as another contraction started. 

"I'll go get the nurse" Amelia said for the second time, disappearing out the door. "Ah you're here!" Another voice joined the three of us. Julian turned around and we looked over to the doorway, seeing my brother wheezing and bent double clutching his knees. "what the hell is up with you?!" I asked in between winces. "I've been on a wild goose chase for him!" he gasped, pointing at Julian. I looked between the two of them and Julian was looking sheepish. "ah, yeah sorry bro. I got a little overexcited..." he said, scratching the back of his head. "Your brother grabbed me on the field. As soon as he said you had gone into labour and you were in town, I just ran" he said, indicating so with his hand. "yeah, the idiot had no idea where the hospital was located" Nick said, slowly starting to regain his breath. "yeah....I may have ran in the opposite direction..." he blushed, "then into every building on site shouting for you...." he itched his neck again. But I smirked at him, it turning into a chuckle before I realised something. "where are your shoes?" I asked, gripping onto his hand. He followed my eye line and grinned, "I took my cleats off and just ran...gave 'em to some kid on the side walk who was leaving the stadium" he shrugged. My heart swelled at the thought, sending him a smile before another contraction started. 

"Okay...." an authoritative voice interrupted us all. "Can we please have anyone who is not baby Edelman's mother or father out of the room please" the midwife said, looking around the room. We all nodded and one by one, I got a kiss and a cuddle, and everyone left, leaving myself, Julian and the medical staff in the room with us. "It's almost time Mrs Edelman."

.............

"GODDAMNITJULIAN!!" I yelled as I gripped his hand through the pain (secretly hoping I drew blood just so he could have one ounce of this pain...) "you're doing so well baby..." he whispered as he clung onto my hand. "Okay Penny, Baby's head is crowning- are you ready to give me some big pushes?" The midwife declared from the foot of the bed.