by Helen Bright
“You will find a way to get me to my wife or you can kiss goodbye to any further deals with my company, and I will close down every KOLCAT site in the UK,” I heard Kolya yell.
When the pain began to ease I asked Ivan to help me get comfortable, then I called the midwife to tell her how intense the last pain was. I knew it wouldn’t be long before the baby came, but in all the books and at all the classes they said that labour, especially with first babies, took forever. Other women had been telling me how they killed time before they finally decided to go to hospital, and it had still taken hours once they got there. I was worried that something was going wrong because it was all happening so quickly.
The midwife reassured me that everything was happening as it should. I didn’t have excessive blood loss and I wasn’t feeling dizzy or headachy. I had another contraction while she was on the line and it wasn’t as painful as the last one, thank goodness.
Kolya had called Franco again and it seemed like he was pleading with him. Rashid came into the bedroom and said he’d spoken to the hotel manager, asking if there were any trained medical professionals staying here at the moment. Apparently there was a doctor but he was out. Just my luck. There were a number of staff who were trained first aiders, but then again, so were Ivan, Franco, and Rashid. I’d rather have people I knew than strangers looking after me. And let’s face it, it wasn’t a case of bandaging me up and putting me in the recovery position, was it? I know first aiders do so much more than that, but I was beginning to feel aggravated and so bloody fed up. Even with all this money and privilege things couldn’t go right for me. I was cursed.
“What’s going on with Franco and Kolya?” I whispered.
Ivan sat with his back against the headboard and moved me to sit between his legs. I lay back and rested my head against his chest.
“Franco delivered his nephew when his sister went into labour. Kolya said he might have to do the same for you if the ambulance doesn’t arrive. Franco isn’t too happy about it, as you can see.”
Franco came towards the bed and touched my cheek.
“We were stuck eight floors up in a dirty, stinking elevator. It was the scariest moment of my life and I did it because there was no other choice, Tess. I came to work for the boss a week later and got my sister out of that crappy apartment as soon as I could. I rented a small house in the suburbs for her until I had enough cash saved to buy somewhere else. My niece was born in a good hospital, twenty minutes from where they live. Which is where you should be right now.”
Another contraction came along and I managed to breathe through it with Ivan until I was about midway through, then the pain got too much and I cried out. I could hear Kolya on Franco’s phone, swearing like crazy, but I couldn’t deal with him right now.
“That was less than two minutes since the last one,” Ivan stated.
“I fucking know that, Ivan,” I declared.
“No swearing in front of the baby, Tess,” he chided.
“Ivan, give it a rest will you,” Rashid interjected. He came to sit beside us.
“As far as we are aware, there were five separate incidents across the city. Two small explosions and suspected gunfire in three different locations. It might be some time before the roads are cleared and we can’t fly you to a hospital. Whenever there’s a terrorist incident, the capital becomes a no-fly zone to all aircraft—other than air ambulances and high-ranking government evacuations. We do have another bulletproof vehicle but due to the fact there’ve been explosions—which are likely bombs—we feel it would be unsafe to try and transport you to the hospital until the threat to the city has been contained.”
I nodded my head and squeezed his hand when the pains began again in earnest. They seemed to last a little longer each time and I could feel so much pressure down below.
“I think we should get the midwife on the phone again,” I told them. “I’m not sure if I’m going to need to push soon.”
Franco called through to the hospital and passed me the phone.
“How do I know if I need to push?” I questioned nervously. Before she could answer I told her about the contractions being less than two minutes apart and the increased feeling of pressure. I gave the phone back to Franco when another wave of pain swept over me. When it passed enough for me to think clearly again, I looked to Franco for an answer. He’d opened a first aid box and had taken out a pair of surgical gloves.
“Rashid, go into the bathroom and bring back all the clean towels you can find,” Franco commanded. As soon as Rashid got up, Franco took his place.
“Tess, the midwife said you might be getting ready to start pushing. We need to get those panties off so I can take a look where you are at, okay?”
“No, Franco, I can’t let you see my, aargh—” The contraction lasted so much longer this time and the pressure down there was more intense. I wasn’t sure whether I needed the toilet. I remembered them talking about that in antenatal class. Some women said they felt like they would shit themselves when they were pushing. I was horrified at the time, and even more so now. Not only were these men about to find out what my vajajay looked like, but they were probably going to see me shit myself.
“I feel like I’m going to shit myself, Franco,” I told him as he was easing my knickers down my legs. Then I burst into tears until another contraction had me groaning that I couldn’t do this anymore.
“It’s normal to feel like that when you are ready to push, Tess. It says so in the books,” Ivan said reassuringly.
I tilted my head to the side and glared at him. “Normal? How is any of this fucking normal, Ivan? And I’m certain that letting his boss’s wife shit in his hands wasn’t in Franco’s job description.”
Ivan was smart enough not to tell me off about my swearing this time. He preferred his balls attached to his body.
Rashid came from the bathroom with a smile on his face. He laid a couple of towels on the bed and said, “The boss is on his way. Jonesy said they’ve just left Whitehall. Call him, Tess. He’s desperate to speak to you.” Ivan handed me my phone just as Kolya video called me.
“I’m on my way, Tess. I’m sorry it’s taken so long. I should have been there with you.”
Franco slid both towels underneath me and told me to pull my knees up and open my legs. My bathrobe fell open to just under my bust but I didn’t attempt to close it. He put on the blue surgical gloves, saying, “The midwife said I have to try and feel how dilated you are. She said you shouldn’t push until you’re ten centimetres, which is about this much.” He showed me with his fingers and thumb how wide that was, then waited until another contraction had passed until he examined me. It wasn’t just uncomfortable, it was painful, too, and Franco couldn’t apologise enough for hurting me.
Kolya had been reassuring me that everything was going to be all right, but Ivan’s voice rose above his.
“How far gone is she, Franco?”
“She’s ready now. So, Tess, on your next contraction, you can start to push, okay?”
I nodded at Franco then looked down at my phone screen.
“Kolya, I can’t do this without you. How long will you be?”
“About ten minutes, that’s all. I love you, Tess, and I know you can do this. It wasn’t what I wanted for you but I know you are strong enough to deliver our baby anywhere. You are amazing, my darling.”
I watched my rounded belly tighten when the next contraction hit, but I didn’t attempt to push, even though Franco and Ivan encouraged me to.
“I’m sorry,” I wailed. “I panicked. I think you’re all wrong. I can’t do it. I want Nan.”
“What are you doing?” I heard Ivan ask.
“I’m getting YouTube up on my phone for Tess,” Rashid replied. He was stood behind us, leaning against the wall.
“She’s about to have a baby, Rashid, she’s not fucking bored!” Ivan stated before placing his hands on my belly and apologising to the baby for swearing.
“I know that, you b
loody fool. I was bringing up videos on this stage of labour. I remember when Julie had the girls they told her she had to stop pushing for a bit. She had to pant instead,” he replied.
“Was it when the head came out?” Ivan asked.
“I don’t know. I wasn’t at the business end,” Rashid told him. His phone beeped with an incoming message.
“The staff have just delivered more clean towels and bedding. I’ll bring them in then I’ll go back and check on security.”
Franco watched him leave then turned to look at me.
“When this next contraction comes along I want you to push with everything you got, okay? Ivan’s holding you nice and steady, and I’m gonna place your foot on my chest so you can bear down and push against me. You ready, Tess?” Franco’s handsome face had lost the pinched, worried look from earlier. His classic Italian features were set and determined. His dark brown eyes focussed on nothing but my hot, sweaty face. I nodded my head then grimaced as another wave of pain hit me hard.
“Now, Tess. Remember what they said in class. Do it as if you are pushing through your bottom,” Ivan encouraged. I did try to push but my efforts barely lasted ten seconds before I was gasping for breath in utter agony.
“I can’t, it’s not working. I’m not strong enough, and it’s too hot in here.”
“You can, baby. You’re one of the strongest women I know. You’ve got a whole lotta strength, bravery, and resilience running through your veins and that baby in there can’t wait to meet its mommy. So we’re gonna remove your robe and drape a sheet over you so you can cool down a little, then we can start again on your next contraction, okay?”
“But I’m not wearing a bra,” I panted. “You’re all going to see my boobs.”
“Tess, I’m about to watch your vagina stretch to the size of your baby’s head, so trust me, you having your titties on show ain’t gonna bother me one iota,” Franco stated.
I groaned in embarrassment as Ivan opened up my bathrobe and tugged it off my shoulders. He draped a sheet over my upper body and tucked it under my arms.
Ivan brought his arms back down to my sides and slipped my hands in his. I tilted my head back to look at him and he smiled down at me.
“Just think, Tess. We will all be able to hold your baby soon. I can’t wait to tell him or her how much their uncle Ivan loves them.”
“Trust me, Ivan, they already know. You’ve been telling them through my belly for months.”
“I don’t want the baby to be afraid of me, Tess. I am very tall and that frightens some children.” He looked so serious and forlorn. So unlike Ivan.
“How could anyone be frightened of you, Ivan? You’re like a big, handsome, blue-eyed teddy bear. All this baby will want to do is cuddle you, so I hope you’re ready for all those babysitting duties you’re going to get.” He smiled down at me then kissed the top of my head.
I gripped his hands tightly and pushed with all I had on the next few contractions, and for some reason, the pain didn’t seem as bad, or I was just coping better than I had before. Ivan massaged my shoulders in between each contraction and gave me sips of water. He also wet the edge of a towel and wiped my forehead and the back of my neck.
The heaviness and pressure down below increased. This was really going to happen, whether I had medical assistance or not.
I was so grateful to hear Kolya’s voice when he entered the room, I burst into tears once again.
“I thought you wouldn’t get here on time,” I admitted.
“I’m so sorry, Tess. They had to be sure that no explosives had been left near the cars. The ambulance is on its way and they are sending a doctor as well as a midwife.”
“Why do we need a doctor? It’s because it’s happening too quickly, isn’t it? Something’s going to go wrong.”
“Of course not, darling. But I’m paying them a small fortune so I insisted that we also had a doctor present,” he murmured while kissing me all over my face.
“You mean you threatened them or offered to pay them a ridiculous amount,” I replied breathlessly as another contraction hit my tired body. Kolya encouraged me to push and placed my other foot against his chest. The pain seemed to go on and on, and the burning feeling down below was utter agony. I had barely thirty seconds between the last contraction and the next.
“I can’t do it,” I cried.
“But you are doing it, Tess. I can see the baby’s head.” Kolya sounded so excited. He was staring between my legs with a look of awe.
“Just one more push and then I want you to pant, okay, Tess?” Franco didn’t wait for my reply. He was taking directions from someone. The midwife, I realised. I wondered how long he’d had her on speakerphone.
I hit a point where I kind of floated above the awful burning/stinging pain. Yes, it hurt, but it was like I could leave the hurt for a few seconds in between pushes.
When Franco told me to stop pushing and start panting, the order didn’t compute with me. I did nothing but stare at him. Both Kolya and Ivan kept repeating the word pant, and each of them began to pant in unison. Their continued verbal and visual directive finally kicked in. I panted through the searing pain, watching Kolya’s face begin to change the more he glanced down.
“Just one more big push, Tess, and you can say hello to your baby.” Franco sounded both exited and relieved.
It took more than one push, but the instant relief I felt when I finally delivered my baby was immense.
“We have a daughter, Tess. She’s beautiful!” Kolya exclaimed.
“Let me see her,” I demanded. I looked down to find Kolya wrapping a towel around her before placing her in my arms.
My daughter gazed up at me with big blue eyes. Her lips were pursed, her fingers outstretched. Kolya kissed me softly on the lips before kissing our little girl on her forehead.
“She’s amazing, Kolya. Look how long her fingers are,” I remarked. Kolya touched his finger against her palm and she gripped it tightly. The rush of elation on seeing my daughter for the first time, overrode the exhaustion I’d felt only seconds before.
“She’s so strong already. You did well, my darling. Thank you for giving me the chance to be a father again. I cannot express how much this means to me.”
Kolya’s pale blue eyes were full of happy tears, but it was Ivan who broke first.
Still sat behind me, he took both Kolya and me in his arms and hugged us as he sobbed, mumbling sweet words of love for our little girl in English and Russian.
“Thank you, Franco,” Kolya said, his voice choked with tears.
“Yes, thank you, Franco. I know I couldn’t have done this without you. Come and have a good look at her. She’s so pretty,” I told him.
“I know. She’s just like her mommy. But she’s got her daddy’s eyes, that’s for sure.” He kissed my cheek and added, “Hospital next time, Tess. I’m not cut out for this.”
“Really? I was thinking of naming you Dr Franconni,” I joked.
Epilogue
Kolya
The doctor stayed with Tess less than thirty minutes but the midwife was with her for at least three hours. My wife and daughter were perfectly healthy and didn’t need to go to hospital, though Tess was extremely tired.
I took her into the bathroom and helped her get clean and into her pyjamas. I was glad to be able to help. Not being here when she needed me was torture.
Luckily, no one was killed in the terrorist attacks, though a number of people were seriously injured. The police had arrested eight men and one woman, but as yet, there was little information as to who they were.
I would like to get those nine people and introduce them to the effects of my latest cache of weaponry. Each bullet I fired at them would represent every minute they kept me away from my beautiful wife in her hour of need.
Nan had been stuck in the theatre with her sister until late in the afternoon. The trains were running erratically due to the extra security checks, so Lucas was picking them up and taking her sister
home before returning here with Nan. She was desperate to see our little cherub, and had insisted I send enough photos for her to fawn over until she could cuddle her herself.
With one hand, I adjusted the chair in my office before I was connected through to my family in Russia. I would have preferred to do this with James first, but he was flying back to the UK right now, having boarded our plane with his guards an hour before Tess had given birth. Due to adverse weather over the Atlantic, James and I were unable to maintain a secure connection via video link, though I had spoken to him as soon as I was able and had sent him at least a dozen photographs. I couldn’t wait for him to meet his sister. To have them together in the same room would mean everything to me.
“Kolya.” My father’s voice came through before the image of him and my brother did.
Speaking in Russian, I told them that Tess had an eventful day and was sleeping, but I had someone I wanted to introduce them to.
“Say hello to Lily Ivana Barinov,” I told them, as I carefully turned my daughter around so she was in full view of the camera.
“A girl!” my father stated. I was prepared for him to be disappointed so his next words shocked me. “I’ve always wanted a granddaughter to spoil. Look how beautiful she is, Yuri. She has our eyes but I see her mother’s pretty features.”
I removed her white cotton cap and revealed a light covering of copper-coloured hair. My father and Yuri burst out laughing.
“She will also have her mother’s fire and temper, brother,” Yuri said as he wiped his eyes. “The hair does not lie. If you ever have to deny her anything, you should do it from the protection of an armoured vehicle.”
“I’ll admit that Tess does have a quick temper, but she isn’t demanding and was certainly never spoilt by anyone as a child,” I told them.
“But Lily is my granddaughter—the first little princess in our family. How can I deny her anything, Kolya? She is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. You must bring her to Moscow as soon as she is able to travel, I cannot wait to hold her.”
