There was a lot of blue amongst the baby gifts, of course. Nathan bought Corey a jersey with Alex’s name and number on it. Others also gave them clothes with the team’s name on it. Mark bought a manly baby bag, so Alex would carry it, too. That was a cool idea.
After presents, there was another game to play. Alex went outside with his brothers and friends again. Gary, Dave, Charlie and a few other players stood with Logan and Nathan. After he had taken a peek inside at Danielle through the window, Alex turned to Logan.
“I’m not sure I should go tonight.” Alex worried she needed him.
Gary shook his head. “You can’t miss your own bachelor party.” He slapped Alex’s back. “Me and Logan got some craziness set up for you.”
“Wait.” Alex’s eyes widened. “She said OK to strippers, but I’m not hooking up with anybody.”
Nathan laughed. “Promise. No one’s gonna hop on your dick.” He lowered his voice. “Although if you don’t start using it, you’re gonna forget how.”
“Fuck you.” Alex chuckled, though. “I’ll live.”
Logan wore a wicked grin. “We picked the perfect club for tonight. You’re gonna have more tits in your face than you can imagine.”
Alex smiled, but then he glanced inside again. He had a sinking feeling. The last time that happened, Brian broke into their hotel room. “Lemme go check on her.”
“Stop.” Nathan grabbed his arm. “You’re turning into Mom. She’s not alone.”
* * *
The shower game was a scavenger hunt. Danielle couldn’t play. Everyone was occupied, and she needed to use the bathroom. Carefully, she got to her feet and slowly walked through the kitchen. A massive amount of pressure made her stop and grab the island’s counter.
No one was nearby. The pressure got a bit better. Then all of a sudden, her pants were soaked. When she looked down, she realized her water had broken. Oh my God!
“Alex!” she screamed, in tears. “Alex, hurry!” She was frightened. It was too early.
He ran into the house. “Why’re you up?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it happen.” She blamed herself because she didn’t ask for help. “I just had to pee.”
He was completely confused. “Then why’re you screaming?”
“Oh, my God!” his mom cried out. “Alex, her water broke.”
Alex quickly panicked. “What do I do? Mom, it’s too early.”
Danielle started to cry loudly. “What about the wedding?”
“Fuck the wedding!” Alex searched the room, completely disoriented. “What do I do?”
Liz came to the kitchen. “What’s going on?” Then she stepped in the puddle that had spread out. “Oh, no.” She turned around. “Sara, get a bunch of towels. Danielle’s water broke.” She poked Alex in the chest. “Hospital. Now.” Her brother just nodded.
“I’m so sorry.” Danielle couldn’t stop the tears.
“It’s OK. This is not your fault,” Alex assured Danielle as he swept her off her feet.
Nathan rushed inside. He heard the commotion. “What happened?” He had realized before anyone answered. “I’ll drive.” He found Alex’s keys and hurried to get his car.
* * *
Once in a labor room, Alex rambled to the attending obstetrician, “She was walking, and her water broke. Dr. Greene said we had weeks left. She has a clert—uh, certa—wait. They sewed her cervix shut or something.”
“OK.” The doctor put a hand up. “It’ll be all right. Let me check her.” He frowned after the exam. “I need to take this out, so she doesn’t tear.”
Alex held her hand tightly as the stitches were taken out. It obviously hurt. “I’m right here.” Alex hugged her when it was done. “I’m so sorry.” He wasn’t sure why he said it. His heart pounded in his ears. He could barely think. “It’ll be OK. Promise.”
When he pulled back, Danielle gripped his hand. “OK.”
Because she was not in labor, they had to wait and see. Monitors surrounded her again, and an IV was put in. They pushed medicine for Corey’s lungs to develop quicker in case she went into labor. They were told whether she did or not, she would have to stay in the hospital. All the amniotic fluid was lost. In case labor started, she was also not allowed to eat or drink.
Within 30 minutes, a sonogram was done to check Corey’s position and weight. As Dr. Greene had told them, they estimated he was about four pounds. He was also still head down, which meant she could deliver him normally. The staff did everything they could to ease the couple’s nerves.
Once the staff left, Alex calmed down. Family was finally allowed to visit. Nathan and Mary walked in first. Only two visitors could be in the room at a time. Everyone quietly supported each other. They listened to the baby’s heartbeat and held hands. Danielle was glad to have them there. The situation had terrified her.
After a few hours, Danielle’s cervix started to dilate slowly. It wasn’t unexpected. The doctors were not sure how long it would take for labor to start. When nothing happened within an hour, Alex helped her lay on her side and spooned her. Then he held her close.
“What if he can’t breathe?” She gripped his hands in fear.
He buried his fear and whispered, “Don’t think like that. Everything’ll be alright.”
Chapter 44
In the middle of the night, Danielle awoke to the start of labor. The pains were strong, but not close together. She let Alex sleep and just breathed through them. When a doctor came to check on her, she smiled.
“Looks like the contractions are 15 minutes apart,” he said as he checked the monitors. “Can you wake Alex, so I can check you?”
Danielle shook her head. “He needs to sleep.” It was complicated, but she moved enough that he could check her cervix.
“Things may move faster now.” He pulled off his gloves. “You’re dilating quicker. We’ll check on you again in about a half an hour.”
Exhausted, she slept on and off between contractions. She tried not to move, so that Alex could sleep. When the pain started to get worse, she clutched his hands tighter. Soon after the contractions were about ten minutes apart, she was put on oxygen. Corey’s heartbeat declined during contractions. She was told not to worry since that happened quite often.
* * *
By the time daylight filtered in the window, Nathan and Sara walked into the room. Sarah could tell Danielle was in serious pain. Her grimace and white knuckles gave it away.
“You have to wake him, Danielle,” Sara told her. “You look like you need him.”
The contractions had gotten even closer together by then, and they were really painful. Danielle looked up at Sara. “He needs to sleep. I’m OK.” Then a stronger one hit, and she cried out in pain.
Alex almost jumped out of his skin. “What’s wrong?”
“She’s been in labor for hours,” Nathan explained. “The nurse said it started during the night.”
Alex held Danielle tight. “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you get me up? I love you, beautiful. I’m right here.”
Tears fell down her cheeks. “I don’t know if I can take this.”
Before anyone said anything, a doctor walked in. “I need to do an exam. Dad, can you please get down?” Alex and the doctor carefully put her on her back. Nathan turned away as the doctor checked her. “Five centimeters. Not sure why it slowed down.”
The next contraction came just after the doctor left. Danielle squeezed Alex’s hand and cried. “Please.”
Alex felt helpless. He held her as tears of his own fell. “I wish I could go through this for you,” he whispered. “I’m sorry it hurts so much.” Then he looked into her eyes. “Anything you need. I’m here. You want pain medication? They can give you the epidural Dr. Greene talked about.”
She shook her head. Everything she had read said it was better for the baby without drugs. “Not yet.” She hoped she could tough it out.
Alex was tired and stressed. “OK. Just say the word.” He hadn’t t
old Danielle he woke up many times in the night. Although, he didn’t realize she had been in labor.
“Dude, you don’t look good.” Nathan dragged a chair over. “Sit.”
Alex did but didn’t let go of Danielle’s hand. “Do you want some water?”
“I can’t.” She closed her eyes and cringed. “Another one.” She breathed deeply and squeezed his fingers.
Nathan put a hand on his little brother’s shoulder. “Anything I can do?”
“Doubt it.” Alex winced. She grew stronger with each contraction.
Sara laid a cool cloth over Danielle’s forehead. “Hope that helps.”
“Thanks.” Danielle was glad they weren’t alone.
Nathan sighed. “Danielle, I know you can’t eat, but Alex should. Can I get him something or take him downstairs?”
“I can’t leave her.” Alex shook his head. “I’m fine. Maybe later.”
Several hours later, Danielle gave up and asked for the epidural. However, by the time they were ready to do it, it was too late. She was past the point that was safe to give it to her. Instead of getting upset about it, she hoped that meant the baby would be born soon.
Alex held both of her hands in his by then. He cried with her, as the contractions got stronger. His family was supportive, but they felt like they intruded, so only one of them would visit at a time by that point. He kissed Danielle’s forehead as she came down from the latest contraction. It killed him that she was in agony. He was powerless to make it better.
Danielle soon became oblivious to anything around her. Familiar voices floated around her, but it didn’t matter who was there. She withdrew to deal with the constant pain. Alex’s hands and lips soothed it a bit. However, more pain came, to start the cycle all over again.
* * *
“OK. Anyone who doesn’t want to see the birth, it’s time to go.”
Alex looked up. The room had filled with doctors, nurses, and equipment. “She’s ready?”
“Yep.” A doctor sat on a stool between Danielle’s open legs. “Time to have a baby.”
Sure that he was in the way, Alex stepped back.
“Dad, grab her leg and pull her knee toward her chest.”
Alex watched a nurse do it to Danielle’s other leg and mirrored the position. “Like this?”
“Exactly. Danielle, with the next contraction, push with all your might.”
Danielle grabbed Alex’s shirt and screamed as she pushed. “It hurts!”
“If I can hear you, you’re not pushing hard enough.”
Alex kissed her forehead. “Squeeze my hand, and push hard. OK?”
She grabbed the offered hand. She was shocked that he watched the activity between her legs. She expected him to be squeamish about it. The thought faded when another contraction hit.
The room was like pandemonium once Corey was born. He didn’t cry. The doctors worked quickly to clean him and check his airway.
“Why isn’t he crying?” Danielle clutched Alex’s hand and shirt. “He should be crying.”
Alex leaned over and hugged her with his free arm. “It’s OK.” Then a tiny cry rang out. “Thank God,” he muttered. She didn’t need to know how terrified he had been.
“Just for a moment.” A nurse came close to them with Corey wrapped in a blanket. “I’m sorry.”
Danielle took her son in her arms, as tears fell again. “He’s so tiny.” She could see him struggle for breath. On the verge of a sob, she looked to Alex. “Take him.”
Grateful, Alex scooped Corey up. “Hey, there. It’s gonna be OK.” He closed his eyes, which were rimmed with tears. “The nice nurses’ll take care of you.” He gently kissed the baby’s forehead. Then he was whisked away to the neonatal unit.
Danielle was soon taken to a private room. There was a queen-sized bed in there, so that the couple could sleep comfortably. It was one of the perks of the new maternity wing. As soon as possible, Alex lay down with her and held her tight. He again held back his emotions. She didn’t need to be overwhelmed. When he had let their child go, it was the hardest thing he had ever done.
“He’ll be fine. They’ll do everything they can.” He was sure that was true.
Exhausted, but in pain, Danielle yearned to hold their baby. Alex’s arms reassured her, though. She felt him shake. So she knew he was scared also. That made her lose the fight. She broke down and sobbed again.
Alex cocooned her in his limbs. “It’s OK.” He sniffled, and then gave up and let the tears flow.
Mary kept everyone away at first. She knew the couple needed alone time to deal with the situation. When she thought enough time had passed, she opened the door quietly and observed as they comforted each other.
She cleared her throat. “Are you up for visitors?”
“Sure, Mom,” Alex answered, as he stayed in place. “He’s in the NICU.”
Mary smiled as she walked around the bed. “I know. I saw him from the window. Do you need anything?”
“A miracle,” Danielle croaked. She still cried.
Nathan knocked on the door. “Is it safe?”
“Come in,” Alex called.
Sara and Liz soon followed. “How’s my future sister-in-law?” Sara asked.
“Tired,” Danielle replied. She hadn’t thought of their wedding that was planned for that day. “Is everyone still at the house?”
Liz rubbed Danielle’s hand. “We sent them home. Once Corey can be there, we’ll plan another wedding.”
“Thanks.” Danielle was glad Alex’s family was behind them. “Is Grammie OK?”
Sara sat in a chair close to her. “Yes. She couldn’t stay, though.”
“OK.” Danielle yawned and closed her eyes again.
Alex sighed when her body went limp. “She hasn’t slept. She’s been crying since he was born. I don’t know how to help her.”
“You’re doing what you can.” Nathan put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “You need to sleep, too. Have you guys eaten?”
Alex shook his head. He didn’t care about food. “Maybe later.”
“No.” Nathan glared at him. “You need to be strong to take care of her. I brought you a sandwich. You need to eat.”
Danielle woke up when Alex shifted away from her. She moaned in pain. A hand on her back eased it somewhat. “Can they give me something?”
“They did,” Alex whispered as he slid off the bed. “I’ll ask them to give you another dose, though.” He walked around the bed, and then kissed her lips. “I’m gonna go with Nathan for a few.”
She nodded and hugged the pillow. “I’ll be here.” Her eyes closed involuntarily.
* * *
“How is she?” Alex asked when he walked back in, less than thirty minutes later.
Mary looked up from her Kindle. “Sleeping again.” She worried about postpartum depression. “Did you check on Corey?”
“Yeah.” Alex smiled. “They said we can hold him a bit later. He’s breathing on his own but on oxygen because he’s still struggling somewhat.”
A nurse came into the room. “He’s a fighter. My new favorite newborn.” She approached Danielle. “I need to check her.”
Everyone turned away but Alex. “What should I do?”
“Nothing,” the nurse replied.
Danielle stirred. “What—”
“Just changing you, sweetie.” A few minutes later, she said, “Breast milk will make him stronger quickly. Preemies need all the help they can get.”
Nervous, Danielle turned to Alex. Her lip quivered. “Doesn’t it hurt?”
“For a while. But, sweetie, it will make a huge difference for your baby.”
Alex sat on the bed and palmed Danielle’s cheek. “It’s up to you. I can’t ask you to do something you don’t want to.”
“She’s right,” Liz added. As a pediatrician, she had seen premature babies thrive when on mother’s milk. “Just try it.”
Sara leaned forward. “I can help, if you need me to.”
“Is it safe yet?” Nathan was at the window.
Alex exhaled loudly. “Yes.”
“OK.” Danielle held Alex’s hand. “OK. I’ll do it.”
The nurse smiled. “You’ll have to pump your milk at first. Then we can try feeding him at your breast after a few days.” She left the room and came back with a breast pump.
Danielle opened the gown without thinking and slowly sat up.
Nathan turned quickly. “Wow. Just whip ’em out, Danielle. Damn.”
With a growl, Alex punched him in the arm. Then he sat next to Danielle and watched her use the device, with the nurse’s assistance. He cringed a few times. He imagined it was quite painful. He put his arm around her shoulders, to be supportive.
Danielle whimpered. It hurt as much as she’d expected. “For Corey, right?”
“Yes,” Alex murmured and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, beautiful.”
Soon after her breasts were emptied, Alex put Danielle into a wheelchair. They headed toward the nursery. Dressed in protective clothing, they followed the nurse into the NICU. As soon as they entered, the nurse took the milk and put it in Corey’s feeding tube.
Danielle stared at their child in the incubator. He looked so frail. A few tears fell. She tried to get out of the wheelchair but winced. “Can I hold him?” Within minutes, he was placed in her arms with everything still attached to him. “Hi, Corey. I’m your mommy.”
“He’s so small.” Alex leaned over and touched his hand. He held back tears as his son grasped his finger. “Amazing.” When Danielle handed him over, he gasped. “I’m Dad. I love you, little guy.”
The same nurse came back to them. “He needs to go back in. Sorry.”
from Pain to Pleasure (Gainesville Book 1) Page 38
