Page 12 of Coming Innocent

Avery nods her head in agreement, but can’t help but feel a sense of fear wash over her when she sees the gleam of uncertainty in his eyes.

“Here is your bag, doc,” her father says from the door as he holds out the black leather satchel.

“Avery,” Dr. Long gently commands as she places a sheet over Avery’s lap then bends her legs, raising her knees towards the ceiling. “I’m going to check to see how your dilation and effacement are progressing, alright?”

Avery finds herself nodding even though her subconscious is riddled with fear, but Dr. Long presents an innate calmness that puts her at ease.

“You’re going to feel a bit of pressure, ok? Let me know if you feel another contraction coming on, we’ll want that to pass first.”

Through a hiss, Avery claims that she feels one coming on and then grips down on Logan’s hand with all her might.

“You’re doing great, sweetheart,” he clamors out as he brushes a kiss on the top of her head.

Dr. Long waits patiently until Avery gives her a small nod of her head letting the doctor know that the contraction has passed.

As she tries to take her mind off of the pain and shock Avery turns towards Logan and apologizes.

“I’m so sorry, Logan. I should have gone on bed rest sooner and then this wouldn’t have happened. This is all my fault.”

“Don’t blame yourself for any of this, you have been amazing. I love you very much, Avery.”

“Dr. McCafferty,” the doctor addresses as she turns towards Brooks. “We have 100 percent effacement and ten centimeters of dilation. The first baby’s head is down and in position, we’re going to need to break her water and deliver as soon as possible.”

“Oh,” Avery gasps as she feels wetness pool around her and then excruciating pain tearing across her body.

Dr. Long and Brooks pull their attention towards her and both begin yanking on latex gloves from a box in the satchel while Brooks directs Nikki to lay out the packaged, sterilized medical tools and to unwrap the two packaged surgical gowns and masks.

“You’re very prepared,” Nikki adds as she meticulously lays out the utensils then opens the plastic bags.

Brooks shrugs his shoulders and admits, “You never know when you may come across an accident or worse. I like to have everything available that I can.”

“Well, we’re thankful for it,” Amy adds as she brushes back some loose strands of Avery’s hair away from her face.

Avery watches as the two doctors suit up as if they’re in a world-class operating room, not a small guest room in a brick house filled to the max with people.

“Alright, let’s have some babies,” Dr. Long states gleefully as she claps her hands before Avery screams into the room as another contraction immobilizes her body.

***

SHE HADN’T BEEN AS thankful as she was when Brooks asked her to lay out the medical utensils. She had been staring into the room as she watched her best friend scream in agony and fear. Nikki already knew the risks of delivering one baby at home a month and a half before the due date, but delivering twins was even more of a risk.

“Brooks,” she whispers as she helps him slide his arms into the surgical gown. “What happens if there is an emergency and she needs a cesarean? I can’t lose her; this family can’t lose her.”

Nikki watches as Brooks takes a deep breath and fastens his mask around his face. Out of the corner of her eye, she can see Everleigh step forward slightly, eyes wide, but interested in hearing his answer.

“Don’t worry, we have local anesthetic if it comes to that and the medivac will be here shortly with the on-call paramedics. I am not going to let anything happen to her or those babies, I swear on my life.”

Nikki nods in surprise at the declaration he makes. Brooks just broke the first rule of medicine, never promise that nothing will go wrong. But the steely gaze in his blue eyes shows brightly and honestly; he will do all he can to keep his promise.

As Brooks turns along with Dr. Long as Avery shouts into the room, Nikki averts her gaze over to where Everleigh stands, her teeth nibbling on her lower lip.

“Do you believe him, Nikki?”

She takes a moment to take in their surroundings, the crowd standing silently, but surely as they support Avery, Dr. Long and Brooks work confidently and efficiently together as a solid team, and Logan and Amy stand at the helm praising Avery as she struggles to catch her breath.

Turning back towards Everleigh Nikki claims, “I do.”

A few minutes pass in the room silently except for Logan telling Avery how much that he loves her over and over again. Nikki watches as Austin silently slips into the room and whispers to Brooks before winking towards her and slipping out once more.