The Gemini: Emancipation

29 - Nelson

When Jody went into labor with Brie she was a wreck. A complete mess from the water break to the cutting of the umbilical cord. But she didn't let any of it show on the outside. Until the pushing that is. That's where she channeled the energy of all of her panicked anxieties. Which contributed to why it only took four pushes for Brie's welcome.

When Jody went into labor with Brie, Prince had never felt more confused in his life. Which at that time said a hell of a lot. Pacing forth and back in that hospital hallway, his head near exploded as he pondered the dilemma of paternity. On top of that, still the deep set resentment and anger of betrayal. While the mother of his alleged child readied to give birth, Arabia awaited to learn her future fate in his life.

In his coldness Prince almost chose to stay out in the hall. If he had Jody would've gone through the process alone save for the nurses and doctor. As much as he hadn't the want to be near her, he knew that completely abandoned Jody in a moment like that would've been wrong.

But that was then.

This is now.

In labor with baby number two, Jody isn't a wreck but Prince is. And though it's cute, it's annoying her. At her side every second, it's obvious to her that he's making up for what he didn't do the first time.

"How you doing?"

"No different than when you asked ten seconds ago."

It was a five minute difference actually. But while under the influence of pain and incessant nausea, sarcasm is Jody's go-to defense.

"I'm sorry. I just want to make sure you're okay."

"I promise you'll know if I'm not."

Swiping a rogue hair from against her temple, "You so fine," he compliments sounding completely taken.

Though spoken in one of his goofy manners, his amber irises are gooey soft. The combination's enough to make Jody crack a blushy grin.

"Shut up."

"It's true. You just glowin'. I could kiss you."

"Save it for later."

"After you done cursing my name and cracking my hand in half?"

"You got it."

And on perfect cue another contraction seizes. One significantly stronger though only a little longer than the others. Prince's hand gets that squeeze as Jody breathes her way through.

"Look at the timing on this kid."

"Hmm," she hums letting the vibration of the noise ease her. "A real comedian."

Hand freed from the tight hold, Prince gives it a flex, fingers stretching out and in. "I can't feel my blood."

Yvette, the nurse, laughs. "No question where the comedy gene comes from."

"Thank you kindly."

The toothy beam he shows is a short lived sight. It melts soon after Jody's eyes shut and she sounds a discomforted groan. Another contraction hit and from Prince's prospective it's much worse than the last. His pulse excites. Like a ponderous child he questions the nurse.

"That's soon isn't it? Them being together like that. Doesn't that mean it's almost time?"

Calmly she assures him, "At seven centimeters dilated that's very normal. She's not ready yet though. Ten is the magic number."

Watching the clock, Prince sees a full minute pass before Jody's made it through. Head against the pillow she recuperates while dreading the next.

Sincerely he's apologizing once more, "I'm sorry."