HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

“Are you going to the office?” Emma asked as she walked into Daniel’s room the next day.

Daniel turned to look at her as he unbuttoned his shirt. “No I’m not. I can’t leave you here alone. I have a meeting though. But I will be doing it via video call” he replied.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“You can leave if you have to,” Emma said. “Apparently, this baby isn’t ready to be born yet”

Daniel smiled at her. I’m sorry that you’re uncomfortable, baby.” He said. ” But when the baby comes, you will be so happy that all of this won’t matter. You are going to have someone you are gonna love more than anything on the world. In Fact I gotta say, I’m little jealous of all the love our baby is going to be getting. I’m so used to having you all to myself now”

Emma laughed and her body shook. “Relax” she said. “I’m going to love the heck out of the both of you. In Fact i-”

She stopped suddenly in her attempt to walk towards him. Pain… Anguish twisted through her, spilling into her words, stopping her from moving.

“Ohhh” She said as she exhaled deeply. “So as I was saying,” she continued, looking at Daniel. But he was watching her closely.

“what?” she asked.

“Are you alright?” he asked, with concern written on his face.

“Yeah,” Emma replied. “I’m fine. I just had this really weird pain feeling.. But it’s gone now. It just-”

Pain…more savage than before stopped her from finishing the sentence. She gasped, instinctively bending over to contain it.

“Emma?”

She couldn’t answer the sharp inquiry. Her mind was yelling at her to breathe in quick pants, relax, ease the agony. Then to her horror, a gush of water drenched her panties and ran down her legs.

“Oh, oh my God…” she wailed.

“What’s wrong?” Daniel asked.

She lifted her head. Daniel was rushing towards her now, his hands stretched towards her., his eyes full of urgent concern now.

“The baby, Daniel,” she cried. “I think the baby is coming… Now.”

———————————

A completely different fear gripped Emma as Daniel got to her and held her, then he gently lowered her into a chair -fear for the baby… And for herself too.

Could she really do this? She asked herself. She hoped her baby would be okay… Safe and healthy. She prayed. She wrapped her arms protectively around her belly, rocking it in hope that all was going to be well.

“Try to stay calm. Panic won’t help,” Daniel coolly advised, though he was obviously worried too. Emma could see the anxiety and worry on his face. She had never seen him look that way.

“I will call the doctor and get things moving.” he said and Emma nodded and watched him.

Within seconds he was acting for her… For their baby. “This is Daniel Rohan, calling on behalf of Emma Green, my fiance. I need to be connected to Dr Davis immediately. This is an emergency.”

A waiting pause, then, “Yes, Thank you. My fiance, her water has broken and she’s suffering labour pain. We are already on our way to the hospital. I want everything ready at the hospital when we get there.”

Another pause.

The bad pain had receded, leaving only a dull ache. Emma couldn’t help wondering how Dr Davis was reacting to Daniel’s string of demands.

“Thank you,” Daniel said, obviously having received a satisfactory reply. He put the phone in his pocket and turned his attention to her, catching the frown of concern on her face.”I’ve missed something?” he asked.

“You’re going to stand there and give orders as usual.” She said as she gave him a small smile.

His eyes glittered at her comment and he grinned at her. “Yeah, I will,” he said. “You should be used to it, Emma. You’ll be attached to me for a long time to come. And quite frankly, I don’t give a damn for your reclusive inclinations in this particular instance. For the sake of our child, I’m asking for top priority service, and since my mother has guided me into donating millions to the medical system of this country, I consider it a reasonable request.”

It probably was. And she was grateful that he had ensured quick attention for her and the baby, grateful that he was here, helping her. “I’m sorry. It just seemed…unnecessary. I’m not…not thinking straight.” she said.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said gently. “Just let me take care of everything. Now are you still feeling any pain? Can you stand?” he asked.

Emma stared at him. “No pain right now ” she said.” But I’m frightened of moving.”

“Okay. It’s gonna be okay. I’m here.”

“There’s a bag packed ready for going into the hospital. It’s in my bedroom, please get it” Emma said.

“Alright. Is it all right for me to leave you for a minute?” he asked..

“Yes.” she replied.

But the moment he left the room the pain cut through her again. She struggled out of the chair and leaned against the desk. Somehow that was easier for her to manage the contraction than from a seated position. Daniel came back, stood beside her, stroked her hair, soothing her.

“Let’s go” he said, as she scooped her gently into his arms and out the door. All the way to the car, he murmured words to calm her down. “Won’t be long now, baby,” he murmured sympathetically as he put her into the car and came to sit beside her.

Tears swam into her eyes. She couldn’t speak. Grateful for his presence. Grateful for his help. She wondered how she’d have coped if he hadn’t insisted on being there throughout her pregnancy. Independence was all very well-she knew that-but she also knew that it would have been very lonely and she was intensely relieved not to be alone right now, to have Daniel taking charge of everything.

He remained by her side through everything; in the car, at the hospital, in the labor ward. And even if she knew he must be very worried too, he stayed strong for her. He called her mother, Karen and Monica when he got the time and returned to her side.