Chapter 159
“Breathe, sweetheart. Just breathe.” Alexis wrapped both arms around her from behind, gently rocking Lynn in her arms.
“I don’t think I can do this,” Lynn cried. She griped the edge of the birthing tub with a whimper.
Charlene leaned over the edge of the tub, using an underwater Doppler to check the baby’s heartbeats. “Their heartbeats sound excellent. I think we’re getting close. Elise, can you hand me that cloth?” Elise hurried over, placing a cool towel into Charlene’s hands.
Lynn closed her eyes when Charlene rubbed the towel over her forehead while Alexis massaged the center of her stomach. Another contraction hit, causing Lynn to scream out in agony. When she opened her eyes, she saw Katie standing next to the wall, holding both Calista and Morgan’s hands. “You have a couple visitors.”
“Hey babies,” Lynn whispered when the girls walked over. She and Alexis had already sat down with both children, explaining a bit about what would go on during labor. At first, they debated on if Morgan should be a part of it since they were afraid the process would frighten her. In the end, they felt it wasn’t fair to exclude her. If Morgan did not want to be in the room when the babies were born, she was free to leave, as was Calista. Lynn wanted to give both girls the option of staying if they elected to.
“Aunt Katie told us the babies would be here soon.” Calista stepped behind the birthing tub, leaning forward as she wrapped both arms around Lynn’s neck from behind.
“Aunt Katie is right. Are you ready to meet your new siblings?” Lynn smiled.
“I’ve been ready forever,” Calista answered with a dramatic sigh. She leaned over the edge of the tub, placing her palm on Lynn’s bare stomach. “This is your big sister speaking. You need to hurry up in there. It’s been months!”
Lynn and Alexis both laughed when their gazes met. “Sweetheart,” Alexis said when she touched Calista’s hand. “They will be here before you know it. Right now momma is having contractions.”
Lynn cried out when her body grew rigid as a severe contraction hit. “I need to push,” she whimpered.
Morgan frowned as she rubbed her fingertips across the center of Lynn’s forehead. “I’m sorry contractions hurt, Mom.”
Lynn’s body trembled when she tried to glance back at Morgan. It was no use. Her head felt like she was swimming underwater when an overwhelming urge to push consumed her body. She grasped Alexis’s hand, bearing down with her first push. “I…can’t…do this,” she panted. Tears sprung in Lynn’s eyes when she gritted her teeth.
“You can do this.” Alexis kissed Lynn’s shoulder. “You’re the strongest woman I know.” Morgan continued to rub Lynn’s forehead and Calista claimed the cool washcloth, sliding it down Lynn’s cheeks.
“You can do it, Momma!” Lynn smiled a little when she looked up to see both children’s smiling faces staring down at her. Calista touched Lynn’s cheek with her palm before kissing her chin
“Go Mom,” Morgan chimed in.
Alexis giggled. “See there, you have your own cheerleaders.” All Lynn could do was smile when Alexis leaned down to kiss her lips. Warm lips pressed against Lynn’s ear, whispering soft words of encouragement. “You’re doing great, baby.” Lynn wasn’t so sure she agreed.
Lynn’s eyes slammed closed when the voices surrounding her begin to blur. She tried to remember the breathing techniques she’d learned in birthing class as the contractions continued to escalate. The tears streaked down her flushed cheeks when she pushed again. “I can’t,” she cried. “Please,” she begged. “Make the pain stop. Oh God what was I…” another push. Lynn suddenly pulled away from Alexis, somehow managing to get on her knees.
“You’re almost there, sweetheart.” Alexis’s soft voice seemed so far away. For a moment, Lynn almost thought she was dreaming. But if it was a dream, why the hell did it hurt so damn much?
“Ahhh,” Lynn cried when she rocked back slightly as another contraction hit, this one stronger than the previous one. Her labored breathing intensified, turning into constant pants. She swallowed the lump in her throat, shifting again until she collapsed against Alexis in a sitting position.
“Open your mouth, sweetie.”
Lynn moaned as she opened her mouth. She trembled when a cool piece of ice coated her tongue. Another contraction and she bit down, cracking the ice in tiny pieces. “Hurts,” she whimpered.
“I know it does, but you’re doing a great.” Alexis placed another piece of ice into Lynn’s mouth while stroking her back.
Charlene handed Calista a fresh towel. “Don’t forget to breathe, Momma.” Calista pressed the wet towel against Lynn’s flushed cheeks, rotating it from one side to the other. Lynn managed a weakened smile though her eyes remained closed.