A Special Summer(56)

“They can stay.”

Both Nick and Starr focused their attention elsewhere as the doctor prepared to perform the examination.

Properly draping his patient the doctor began his examination. “You’re almost ready; your cervix is at nine centimeters. Since this is your first baby it may take another hour or longer.” Removing the gloves the doctor asked again, “Are you certain you don’t want anything for the pain?” In this day and age he didn’t think it was necessary for a woman to suffer needlessly during childbirth.

“I’m sure. If I change my mind, I’ll let you know.” Another hour, I’m going to die. I just might take the drugs if I have to go on like this for more than an hour.

“Okay, I’ll be back in a little while to check on you.”

“Thanks, Dr. Neil.”

Feeling awkward like she was in the way and needing to give Summer and Nick some privacy, Starr announced, “Summer I’m stepping out to get a bite to eat.” It was ten thirty and the last time she had anything to eat was sometime around nine that morning.

“Nick, do you want me to bring you anything back?”

“Nah, Starr, I’m cool. Thanks though.”

Summer wanted to beg her to stay and not leave her alone with Nick. But she wouldn’t be selfish; Starr had been there with her every step of the way. “Take your time Starr, I know you’re just as hungry and tired as I am.”

“I’ll be back in a few, I promise.” Grabbing her coat and purse, Starr blew Summer a kiss as she left out the door.

No sooner than she closed the door, Nick started in on Summer with his inquisition.

“Why didn’t you tell me this morning you were having contractions, Summer?”

Summer stared at Nick in disbelief. Why is he starting with me now? “I didn’t want to….oh no… here comes another one,” Summer moaned as she prepared herself for the pain.

Nick hadn’t a clue as to what to do as Summer’s body stiffened and she moaned and groaned in pain as she held onto the side rail of the hospital bed. When her uterus finally relaxed so did her stiff body. She waited for her breathing to return to normal before answering him.

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

Now, Nick was the one with a look of disbelief. It had been hours since she’d been laboring. From what Joan told him the laboring started with mild contractions yesterday evening at dinnertime. More than twenty-four hours ago and she hadn’t said one word to him. Nick was asking himself why? again. Why wouldn’t she tell him she was in labor? She had an opportunity earlier that morning. Did she really think he’d rather be conducting business than with her while they await the birth of their baby? No, it couldn’t be. Nick was growing weary of Summer keeping him in the dark. Before anger could creep into his bones her words rang clear in his ears. “Please, Nick don’t. . .” That’s why she didn’t call me. Summer had reacted to his threat. The fact she hadn’t called him had nothing to do with her bothering him as much as it had to do with her fear of having her baby taken away.

Nick didn’t know which was worse, the tight knot in his gut or the fact that he wanted to kick himself. Yes, he’d been angry with her but he didn’t want her to have to go through labor without him being at her side. He’d already missed most of her pregnancy; he’d wanted to be with her from the moment her true labor began.

Nick’s shoulders slumped as he removed his coat and draped it over the back of a chair. Pulling up a chair to the side of the bed, he sat and watched her saying nothing.

Summer felt his eyes on her, but refused to look at him.

“Hey, look at me for a minute.”

As she lifted her eyes to meet his, she noted the gentleness his voice held as he spoke to her.

“I’m not upset. I just wanted to be here with you when the baby is born. I thought I was going to miss it.”

“I’m sorry. I know I should have called you.” Summer’s voice quivered as a tear slid down her cheek. Damn hormones!

Nick wiped the tear away. “Don’t cry. You don’t have anything to be sorry about. Okay?”

“Okay.” Summer softly whispered.

Neither knew what to say. This was the longest the two had been in each other’s company for days. They sat in silence until Summer needed him.

“Nick, please take my hand I’m having another contraction.”

Without hesitation Nick allowed Summer to wrap her tiny hand as best she could around his large hand as she squeezed with all her might as the contraction consumed her.

Before Starr came back Summer had several more contractions. Nick held her hand as she squeezed and breathed her way through each contraction. He couldn’t believe how powerful her grip was for such a tiny woman.