She was standing in the corner pouting over a ball that was being held at the palace that evening. She did not want to go but her sisters insisted. They said it was good for her to get out. She chose a black dress hoping it would be slimming, but her baby bump had blossomed considerably and she felt like she had a giant pumpkin for a stomach. Jean Pierre emerged out of thin air as he always did.
“You are always pouting at parties,” he said as he stood next to her.
“As always, you are popping out of thin air,” Liane took a sip from her glass.
“What are you drinking?” He tried to take the drink away from her. She moved her glass from his reach.
“Relax it's apple cider.”
“You are not wearing your ring.” He felt that it was unfair that he had to wear his. He hated wearing a ring.
“My fingers are too fat,” Liane snapped. She had become over emotional about everything in the last few months. “Everything is too fat. I look like a whale.”
Jean Pierre laughed. “Maybe a baby one,” he joked. Liane's jaw dropped open.
“That's not nice, jackass,” Liane tried to walk but she froze.
“It was a joke.”
“A crap one.” Liane frowned and touched her belly.
“What is the matter?” Jean Pierre stood in front of her and looked at her.
“I am trying to figure out if I wet myself.”
“Liane, what?” Jean Pierre frowned. She suddenly screamed. Jean Pierre's eyes widened. He was not sure what was happening or what to do.
“Get my sisters,” she screamed. He nodded and ran to find her sisters. He returned in a few moments with them. They were both panicking and confused. They did not know what was happening. “I think my water broke,” she said.
“Oh, my God!” Both of her sisters screamed at the same time. They linked her arms and helped her out of the room. Prince Louis was talking to Lord Jacques when he saw the three sisters come out. He excused himself and went to Jean Pierre who was trailing behind them.
“What is going on?” Prince Louis asked Jean Pierre.
“Liane is in labour,” he replied calmly.
“Then, let's go, quickly.” He ushered everyone to a waiting car. As he was climbing in, Prince Louis told one of the maids to tell Bridgette and Mrs LeBlanc that Liane had gone into labour.
When they arrived at the hospital, Liane was immediately admitted into a private room in the maternity ward. Her sisters were in the room with her helping her change into a hospital gown. Prince Louis's security team quickly secured the area as he went to speak with the doctor. Jean Pierre waited outside Liane's room unsure what to do. He could hear her swearing and screaming.
“I am glad I am not a woman,” Prince Louis said as he joined Jean Pierre.
“Tell me about it” Jean Pierre replied. Moments later, they heard Liane calling for Jean Pierre.
“Get him in here,” she shouted. Francesca opened the door as Jean Pierre scrambled into the room. Liane started throwing anything she could get her hands on at him. “You bastard! You put me in this mess!” she shouted. Jean Pierre rushed back out of the room and shut the door behind him.
“She's crazy,” he said to Prince Louis who was roaring with laughter.
“She is right,” the prince replied, as he continued to laugh.
Liane's parents and Bridgette rushed in. Mrs LeBlanc went into Liane's room. She wanted to be there when her first grandchild was born. Her daughters found it very difficult to believe, as this was very much unlike their mother.
A little while later, the doctor came to check on Liane. “Please tell me it's time,” Liane said. The contractions made her feel as if there was a bear trying to claw its way out and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.
“Yes, you are crowning,” the doctor replied. She called for the medical team to come in so that she could deliver the baby. “Do you want them to stay?” she asked referring to her sisters and mother.
“Yes.”
“Okay, I need you to gather your strength because we are going to start pushing on my count to three.”
When Liane started pushing, everyone outside her room could hear her. “Does that sound normal?” Jean Pierre asked.
“I have no idea,” the prince replied.
“It's very normal,” Bridgette said.
“Give me another big push,” the doctor asked Liane. She was getting tired. It was too much effort and pain. She knew it was going to be hard but not this hard. Her sisters and her mother cheered her on. If it was not for them being there, she would have given up.
Soon a different wail pierced the air. “It's a girl,” the doctor said at last. Liane had felt as if she had been pushing forever.