“Jack, when you arrive at the hospital, pull around to the ER doors. I’ll let the emergency room know we’re coming so they can be ready for us.”
Jack nodded and turned on his flashers. Emma was impressed with the calm that had descended over the occupants of the vehicle. They were well prepared for this event. Emma knew this because Grace had told her at her last prenatal appointment. She’d asked Emma to sign off on all three men being present for the birth of their daughter. Unlike many fathers who were present but not necessarily all that helpful to the laboring mother in the delivery room, these men had taken extensive classes in the natural birth method Grace had chosen and knew their roles.
“Grace, let me know if you get the urge to push, okay?”
Grace hummed her assent as she breathed deep through another contraction.
“That’s good, Gracie. You’re doing great,” Ethan whispered soothingly. Emma observed the way Grace focused on his voice and managed to stay relaxed.
Less than five minutes later they were at the hospital. Because the paperwork was already filed with the hospital, the check-in process took place quickly, and Grace somehow managed to keep her calm despite the flurry of activity around her. She’d already worked into a deep state of relaxation and concentration, and her men fielded all questions so she didn’t become distracted by the commotion.
Proving once again that babies came in their own sweet time, Grace’s contractions slowed down. By the time she was in a hospital gown and in bed in the delivery room, her contractions were back to seven to ten minutes apart.
Pulling Jack and Adam into the hallway so Grace wouldn’t be distracted, Emma instructed them to grab a bite to eat and get something for Ethan. She explained what was happening, reassured them, and told them to rest while they waited. She excused herself to get something to eat and check her messages. She smiled when she got to the message from Rachel. They were bringing her vehicle up to the hospital after the wedding reception.
Emma decided to hang out at the hospital so she could be there to deliver Rose Marie when the time came. She’d thought about continuing on with that evening’s plans but knew there was the distinct possibility she’d be called back to the hospital halfway through their meal. Duke had sounded very understanding, so she’d let the notion go.
She ate supper at the sandwich shop next to the hospital, keeping her phone handy just in case, and then returned to check on Grace. She seemed to be handling labor well, and Emma was glad she was able to relax as the night progressed. The men took turns sitting with Grace, and Emma appreciated that they let her focus and didn’t distract her with small talk.
During the night, Grace became more uncomfortable, and Emma suggested she take a warm shower after checking her dilation. Proving what a trooper he was, Ethan helped her, getting soaked in the process. Emma smiled when she heard Grace tell Ethan with absolute certainty, “Baby, I am ready to push, like right now.”
Wishing in retrospect she’d suggested the shower sooner, Emma said, “Blow through this contraction, Grace. Ethan, let’s get her dried off and in bed first.”
Less than a minute later, Grace was dried off, in bed, and ready to get the show on the road. Grace focused on the men surrounding her bed and said, “Guys, this is it. Ready?”
Emma had seen numerous fathers-to-be balk when the moment of truth came, and many of those had been with mothers who were given some form of pain relief or anesthesia. Grace was giving birth completely drug-free. Though obviously concerned for her and the pain she was in, the men never hesitated. They nodded and kissed her.
While the nurses quickly set everything up and checked Grace’s vitals, Emma checked her dilation. “Ready to start pushing?” Grace looked her way and nodded as she took another slow, deep breath. “Keep doing your breathing and start when you’re ready, Grace. There is no rush.”
Grace nodded and laid her head back on the pillow, seeming to prepare for what came next. She pulled the men close until they were stooped over her, whispering, and Emma thought they might be praying. Emma silently motioned the nurse to dim the overhead lights.
The collapsible end of the bed was lowered so Emma could deliver the baby, and Emma’s nurse nudged another stool close to Emma. The event had been textbook perfect, and Grace had asked if it might be possible for Jack to catch the baby. She looked up and saw the determination in Grace’s eyes and smiled.
“Ready to meet your daughter?”
“Yup,” Grace said with a grimace.
The rest of the birth happened without incident, Grace’s men coaching and encouraging Grace quietly. Little Rose Marie Warner made her entry into the world as the sun rose on another day.