Page 101 of The Champion
“Yes,” I smiled trying to coax her into laughing.
“Shut the fuck up and take me to the hospital!”
A few things happened in the matter of four hours.Sway screamed loud enough that I was sure my eardrum had ruptured. Axel andArie were awarded blizzards for helping me control their hysterical motherandI got a speeding ticket.
Much to Sway’s surprise, and the cop who tried to pull meover, I didn’t stop and now had three local police cars and a county sherifffollowing me to Saint Peter’s hospital in Olympia.
“Daddy tobble,” Arie giggled when I pulled her out of herseat to give the kids to my mom before I was arrested for resisting arrest.
Another four hours later and I was heading back to thehospital when Aiden caught me in the hall.
“Dude, get in there.” he motioned toward the door toSway’s room. “She’s having the babyright now!”
When I entered the room, Sway was doubled-over, screamingin pain.
“What’s wrong? Should she be in this much pain?” Ipanicked when I looked into her eyes and saw fear. This was beyond the normalchildbirth pain, something else was wrong with her.
Dr. Sears stepped in front of me before I could reachher. His hands came up in capitulation when he took in my impious glare.
“Everything is fine, Jameson.” His voice was urgent. “Wejust need to take Sway for a cesarean. The baby is wrapped around the cord andI can’t get him out naturally.”
I nodded and reached for Sway who was limp against thebed, exhausted by hours of pushing.
“Honey, are you okay?”
“The baby...” wasall she managed to say before crying out in pain again. I felt the punch to mygut hearing her cry out in pain, pain I couldn’t take away.
The doctors worked quickly; not as quickly as I wouldhave liked them too but eventually she was wheeled into an operating room whereI was forced to stand in the hall until I barreled through the doors with twosecurity guards on either side of me.
Dr. Sears shook his head. “I’m amazed you stayed out thislong.”
Disregarding his comment, I headed straight for Sway.“Jameson?” she looked over toward the door and our eyes met. Hers were lacedwith tears, confusion and concern, as were mine. “Is he okay?”
My eyes darted around the room looking for the baby. Theyfocused on the small infant struggling to breathe on his own while doctorsassisted him. He was blue and motionless.
Immediately I was beside Sway, reassuring her everythingwas fine and praying I was right.
“He’ll be fine honey.” I choked out when I didn’t hearany sounds coming from him.
“Jameson, don’t lie to me...Idon’t’ hear anything.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks. “I don’t know. I don’t knowif he’s okay.” I finally told her.
How could I tell my wife, who she had carried our childfor the last nine months that he wasn’t breathing and might not make it?
I couldn’t was the answer.
It was only another few seconds before we heard thescream.
“Oh thank god,” Sway breathed into my cheek I had restingagainst hers. “Go check on him. Please...tellme if he’s okay.”
I could still hear his faint cries when the nurseappeared beside me.
“See for yourself, Sway.” She said showing him to Sway.
Looking at him, it was as though we were looking at aninfant version of Axel again.
“He looks just like Axel did.” Sway said peeking over athim in amazement.
