Page 99 of Always Beth
‘We…what is this we? I don’t see you pushing a human being out of your body.’ Sliding backwards, I glance at the ceiling as another wave of contractions passes through me.
His lips curl into a smile as he pulls towels from my clean washing basket.
‘Oh god, I need to push. James, I’m scared.’ He reaches out for me and our fingers interlock as I push down hard.
‘Well done, Beth. The ambulance is not far away now, keep breathing in between contractions. James, I need you to support the baby when it comes out.’
Wiping his brow with his forearm, he squints uncomfortably. ‘I think I’m the one who’s going to need support after this.’
‘You’re not funny. Ahhhhh.’ I feel him pull away from me as I push down again and panic grips me.
‘Where are you going?’
‘I need my hands, give me my hands back. The head is out, it’s out, what do I do?’ His eyes dart frantically back and forth from me to the baby.
I push myself on to my elbows as I fight to see him better. ‘Don’t ask me, I’ve not done this before. Ahhhhh. Now I know why. James!’
‘You’re doing really well, Beth. James, don’t pull, just support the baby.’ Carly echoes once more.
‘Yes, Beth, yes, yes, she’s…here.’ James laughs uncontrollably as he wraps her up gently.
I collapse back to the tiled floor as our daughter’s cry floods the cottage.
‘Congratulations, Mum and Dad, the ambulance is one minute away.’
Mum and Dad.Two words I’ve prayed to hear for what feels like forever. As James slides in behind me, I cradle our daughter in my arms. I pull back the towel from her head to take her all in. If I wasn’t already sweating profusely, I would swear that a tear hit my forehead and ran alongside my cheek. As I crane my neck around, I see James crying silently. ‘We did it,’ I whisper.
‘We did.’
‘Hello, ambulance…’
‘We’re in here,’ James calls, unable to take his eyes from either of us.
Dropping to the floor in front of us, the paramedics take over and I drop my head back against James’ shoulder in relief.
‘Who do we have here then? Wow she has a lot of hair.’
‘She does, just like her daddy.’ I glance up at him and he breaks out into the proudest grin I’ve ever seen.
‘Do we have a name?’ the paramedic asks.
‘Do we?’ James breathes into my hair.
‘Yes, Lorena.’ I feel him tense around me and he grips my body fiercely.
‘Latin for Lauren,’ he says quietly.
The paramedic stands and glances out towards the ambulance. ‘Right let’s get you both off to hospital then and check baby over properly.’
‘What? Why what’s the matter?’ Panic laces James’ voice as his grip tightens around the both of us.
‘Your daughter is early and although all appears well, we need to make sure that if she needs any support she gets it’
‘It’s okay, she’s a strong girl like her auntie,’ I whisper.
James relaxes as he looks down at her with awe. I hear the patter of feet and I realise that Poppy and Dick have probably hidden away in fear of the sounds that were emanating from the kitchen.
‘There’s my boy.’ James laughs as Dick’s pointy nose pokes around the corner. I laugh nervously as where one goes, the rest usually follow. I close my eyes and rest my head against James’ chest, comforted by the beat of his heart.
