She pauses as a contraction overpowers her. She cries out, and I look at the nurse, worried. “I thought the epidural was supposed to make the pain better.”
Each wave seems stronger than the last, and she barely has time to recover before the next one hits. Watching her suffer is excruciating.
I don’t know how long this goes on. It feels like hours. The nurse and I reposition her a few times to get more comfortable, but then, all of a sudden, the contractions start coming even faster.
The nurse says she’s going to update the physician, and a few minutes later, several people rush in all at once.
“Daddy, why don’t you stand up there while I examine her,” the doctor says as he puts on gloves.
Daddy. Never thought I’d love the sound of that, especially when I can’t fucking stand my own father. But our little bean changed everything. Roxy changed everything.
Tears stream down her face, and I gently squeeze her hand. “You got this, baby. You’re doing great.”
The doc reaches between her legs to check dilation. “Looks like your daughter is eager to join us, Roxy. I think you’re ready to push.”
Her eyes widen when the nurse brings this bar over to the bed and asks her to sit up. “You can hold on here. This position is great because gravity helps you.”
I steady her and hold her up to the bar. It all happens so fast. She pushes and screams and cries.
When I glance down, my eyes widen.Holy shit. There’s the baby’s head. Like, right there.
Then a little wail joins Roxy’s.
The nurse wipes off the bean and clears her mouth with this suction tool. Wraps her in a striped hospital blanket and places her on Roxy’s chest after she collapses back on the bed.
“You did great, biscuit. She’s beautiful.” The baby has huge eyes and a head of dark hair. Something mysteriously like tears burn my eyes, and I wipe them with the back of my hand.
The doctor smiles. “She’s indeed a beauty. And I hate to ruin this moment, but we still need to deliver the placenta. You’ll experience more contractions until that happens. I’ll press on your lower abdomen to move things along.”
Birth is a messy ordeal, but as I stare at the munchkin on Roxy’s chest, she seems one hundred percent worth it.
I grab her little hand. “Hey, baby biscuit. You’re just as beautiful as your mom.” Leaning over, I kiss Roxy on the forehead. “You kicked ass, babe.”
She’s crying, but these look like happy tears. “Hey, little one. What am I going to call you?”
The baby’s serious eyes land on her mom, and my nose stings again. “Want me to take some pics?”
Roxy nods and I whip out my phone and take several, making sure to keep the focus well above her waist ’cause the doctor is still down there prodding. Roxy winces from time to time until he pulls out this bloody purple blob that turns my stomach.
I look away and swallow several times. “Hey, should I get your parents?” I ask when I’m sure I won’t hurl.
“Yes, please.”
As I walk around her, I notice the nurse whisking away all of the bloody chunks. Pretty sure Roxy would die twice if she knew she pooped in the middle of all those contractions. But she pushed a whole person out of her body, so I’m not surprised a little extra came with it. The birthing class prepared us for that sort of thing.
Before I reach the other side of the room, the doors burst open, and Roxy’s parents rush in. After I take some photos of them each holding the baby, I realize it’s after three in the morning.
“Coach, it’s late.” With his health issues, he probably shouldn’t be up right now.
He smiles down at the baby in his arms. “Look at this sweet angel.” His eyes go misty, and then he coughs. “I sent the guys back to the dorms, but I’ll let them know our little princess arrived.” To my surprise, he gives me a huge smile. “You did good, son. I can give you a day off, but then you need to get back to training camp. Wish I could give you more time, but…”
“I understand. Thanks, Coach.”
He pats me on the back. “I’m proud of you and Roxy.”
My throat gets tight, and I have to swallow to keep my shit together. I don’t remember the last time someone told me that besides Roxy. I clear my throat. “She’s the one who did all the hard work.”
The nurse ushers everyone out so Roxy can breastfeed. It’s such an incredible moment. “Look at you. You’re such a natural.”
