Big Top

Chapter 27

In the next weeks Audrey seemed to become weaker and weaker every day. I assumed it could be a side effect of the pregnancy, but it did seem odd. She didn't want to eat, but we made her eat anyway, convincing her to do it for the baby. She did what she could for the baby, but her energy was drained all the time. Her face became paler and I really started to worry; this wasn't supposed to happen. She was now halfway through her eighth month and the fact that her stomach was huge didn't help her energy level. It did make me feel better that the pregnancy was almost over so Audrey could return back to normal, but it also gave me concerns that something may be wrong with the baby. I didn't want to say anything to her though, worrying definitely wouldn't help her condition. I know I should tell her and that I shouldn't keep something like that from her, but I couldn't find the courage to tell her. I also didn't need her heart being broken over something that may not happen; all I am riding on are assumptions.

"Audrey, darling, come on. Eat some more, yeah?" Louis gently held the spoon of soup to her mouth. They both sat on his bed and I on the sofa. She reluctantly opened her mouth and sipped the soup off the spoon. "There you go." He whispered, sitting the bowl down and returning to her face to brush a strand of hair off her forehead.

"Thanks, Louis." She smiled at him.

"So, you haven't talked about any names. You got any in mind?" He asked her sweetly. Louis held Audrey like she was a baby and all I could do was awe at them. Louis loved her like she was the little sister he never had. I stood up and came to sit on the other side of her. I let her rest her head on my shoulder as Louis and I both held her between us and I rested my hand on her belly.

"Erm...I'm not sure. If it's a boy, I like Matthew because that was Dad's name. And if it's a girl...maybe Ella, I like Ella." She thought about it.

"I like those names." I smiled, rubbing her belly a little. While I was doing so, I felt a thud on the underside of my hand. "Oh, the baby's kicking again!" I smiled widely. Louis's hand nudged underneath mine so he could feel too, he smiled as well when he felt it.

"I'm worried." Audrey admitted, "Harry, t-this isn't supposed to happen, is it?" She asked innocently, looking into my eyes. I couldn't lie to her.

"A-Audrey, I-I...I-I don't know why all this is happening to you. I wish I did." I told her honestly, "But, it's almost over, we'll just have to wait it out." I kissed her forehead, fighting to hold back my tears. She just nodded and laid her head back down on my chest.

"As long as my baby's ok." She said simply. She wasn't afraid for herself, she was afraid for her baby. None of us said another word until Audrey fell asleep. Louis and I still had our fingers intertwined on her stomach. I rubbed his hand with my thumb when I noticed a few tears had fallen down his cheeks, I knew he was scared because I was too. Little did I know in a few hours our fears would become all too real.

Audrey awoke with a gasp and one hand flew to her stomach. She had a panicked expression on her face. "Audrey? Audrey, What's wrong?"

"I-I don't know. I-it felt like I wet myself, b-but I-I don't think I did." She explained, he face forming a painful expression and she made an uncomfortable whimper.

"Oh my." I didn't want to panic, but I found it hard not to, "Are you in a lot of pain? Like cramps almost?" I noticed her breathing increased as she nodded.

"Ah!" She yelled and doubled over, as far as she could, in pain.

"I think what you felt was your water breaking." I said, Louis and I hurrying off the bed and trying to figure out what to do. 

"What?! N-no! It's too early!" She insisted frantically.

"Louis, go get the new doctor bag and a lot of warm flannels." I told him. He rushed out of the door, I hoped not to fast since we were moving but still fast because this was urgent.

"Harry, it's too early, the baby can't come." Audrey started to cry.

"Audrey, I can't tell the baby to wait. It's coming and it's coming now." I told her as gently as I could, "Come on, love, let's get you comfortable." I suggested, helping her in a comfortable laying position. I retrieved an extra pair of gloves from Louis's desk and returned to help Audrey. Just then, Louis came back through the door. I quickly took the bag and flannels from him and he sat behind Audrey to let her head rest on him and he could hold her hands. I quickly removed her knickers and lifted her dress enough to see and slip the flannel beneath her. She screamed again as another contraction hit, about three or four minutes from the last one. We have time, but not much time. She panted heavily and threw her head against Louis's chest.

"Oh, God! Harry, I can't do this! It hurts!" She screamed.

"Yes, you can, love, I know you can." I reached up and pet her cheek as the contraction slowly faded away and she relaxed again. "Louis, will you go get Martha?" I asked him, he nodded and left again to get her. I grabbed a small flannel and wet it with the water Louis had brought in earlier. I rested it over her forehead since a sheen of sweat had already started coating it. Her breathing picked up again and she clutched my hand tightly. I hope Louis and Martha get back soon, her contractions are getting closer together.

"AAHHHH!" She screamed just as the door opened.

"Oh my God!" Martha exclaimed and rushed over to us, "What do you need me to do?" She asked. Louis climbed behind Audrey on the bed to hold her hands.

"Here," I handed her a pair of gloves, "put these on. And see how far along she is." I was relieved to have Martha there since she has delivered a few babies. I read what I am supposed to do, I just feel better having her there.

*If you don't like reading about labour, read with caution or don't until you see **

Martha lifted Audrey's knees so her feet were flat on the bed and reached under Audrey's dress, "She's ready. Oh my...How long has she been having contractions?"

"Maybe ten minutes."

"Oh wow, this baby's ready, huh?" She laughed. "Well, she's ready to push."

"You hear that Audrey? You gotta push now, love." I told her. She nodded weakly, Louis whispering encouraging words in her ear. Her legs shook as she started to push, she groaned and panted loudly.

"Come on, Audrey, push." Martha rubbed her legs soothingly. Audrey pushed again and after maybe five minutes the baby's head was out.

"Audrey, the head's out!" I exclaimed, but Audrey wasn't paying attention, Louis also told her and she just nodded with here eyes shut.

"Ok, Audrey, rest for a minute." I shuffled through my doctor bag and retrieved a rubber suction bulb and hurriedly sat it beside us to have it ready. I reached down and slipped my hand under the baby's head and aided it in twisting vertically.

**

"Alright, give me a few more big pushes, ok." She started pushing again and I felt the blood gush out over my hand and onto the towel beneath her. The baby only inches a little, "C'mon, Audrey, give me a big push." She screamed and pushed hard, sending the baby completely out and blood gushing after it. "Audrey, it's a boy! Audrey, you have a little boy!" I took the suction bulb and sucked the juices from his mouth and nose and he started crying. I had never been happier to hear a baby cry in my life. I cleaned him up the best I could, getting all the gunk off of him, and wrapping him up on the yellow blanket I bought for him while Martha cleaned and cared for Audrey.

"A-Audrey?" I heard Louis's voice crack, I turned around to them and saw Louis shaking her, but she wasn't responding, "Audrey?....AUDREY?!" I rushed over to them with the baby still crying in my arms and checked her pulse — there was none and,

She wasn't breathing.

***

I'm sorry, please don't kill me, I'm crying too :'(