Chapter 72 New beginnings?

Chapter 72 New beginnings?
I wake up to a mild contraction in the early morning hours and dismiss it, thinking it's probably a Braxton Hicks as I have been getting those in the past weeks.

Sitting up, I take my phone from the nightstand and I check the time and see that it's four in the morning. As I'm about to put the phone back another contraction hits me and then another one.

‘Isn't it early, Peanut? We still have a full week to go.’ I whisper, caressing my big belly.

As though she disagrees with me, another contraction hits me, and I look at a peaceful sleeping Hayden next to me. I hesitate to wake him up, he hasn't been getting enough sleep this week, with him waking up each time I need to use the bathroom and that's a lot of times in the night.

I decide to let him sleep while I time my contractions. Dr. Maxwell had prepared us for this moment, telling us not to panic when I get contractions, especially if my water has not broken and to time them instead. I send a text message to my mum and Scarlett first.

“Ah!” 

“Baby, is it Peanut? What's wrong?” Hayden asks, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

“Just a contraction.” 

“Why didn't you wake me up? We should go to the hospital.” He says, getting out of bed.

“I've timed them, they are 15 minutes apart and my water has not broken.”

Hayden looks at me as if to check if I'm telling him the truth and sits next to me before kissing my forehead and caresses our baby.

“Let me check if the hospital bag has everything.”

“We have double checked millions of times already.” I call after him, but leave him to it. 

Hayden has been overprotective since we found out we were pregnant, but he has been more overbearing in the last two months. He even started working from home after I declined one of our mums coming here, saying I shouldn't be on my own.

As time goes by the contractions start getting closer together, now being 10 minutes apart. I receive text messages from Scarlett and mum saying they're trying to get the next flight out.

“Hayden, can you help me up?”

My sweet boyfriend rushes over right away the minute he hears me call out and helps me get out of bed.

“Please help me shower, I don't want to go to the hospital all dirty and smelly.”

“You don't smell.” He says looking at me like I'm his entire world.

For the next minutes Hayden and I shower together and once we are done he helps me moisturise my body and wear some comfortable clothes. 

Hade and I go downstairs where he makes light breakfast while I stay active, remembering how my prenatal teacher enthusiased being active. Throughout these activities, the contractions keep lasting longer and more intensely.

“We should go, our cab is here.” Says Hade Just as a massive contractions hits me.

“Ahha!” I wail feeling like my back is being broken in two.

For what feels like a lifetime we're stuck in traffic mere minutes away from the hospital. “Are you sure she won't give birth in here man?” The cab driver asks and I glare at him.

“Don't mind him baby, look at me and breathe with me.”

“Yes, just like that.” 

“That line is t-the very reason we're h-heree, Hayden.” I say in between crying and the driver snickers.

Once we've reached the hospital, there's a nurse already waiting for us with a wheelchair, Hade having called Dr. Maxwell the moment we left home.

Hayden helps me out of the cab and the nurse brings the wheelchair the moment she sees us.

“Hey! Man, don't forget your bag.” The driver hollers at Hayden, who's panicking at my every wail.

“How far apart are the contractions?” Dr Maxwell asks once I'm wheeled into the ward.

“I lost track, but moments before getting here they were 3 minutes apart, lasting about 40 seconds long.”

“And her water?” The doctor asks as the nurse is helping get up from the wheelchair and my water finally breaks.

“I guess that answers me. Help her change and see how far dilated she is.” 

The next hours are a blur, my body experiencing the most imaginable pain ever. ‘I'm never getting pregnant again.’ I tell myself as the doctor tells me to start pushing. 

“She's getting tired. Dad, get behind her and massage her stomach as she pushes.” 

“I can see the head, give me another push Victoria.”

“I c-can't. Hayden, I can't do it.”

“You're doing great my love, let's do it together okay?” He says as I grip his available hand and I push will all that I have, only to be rewarded by the loudest cry.

“Well done, mama. You have a beautiful, healthy baby girl.” Dr Maxwell says handing over our Peanut to one of the nurses.

“Dad, come cut the cord.” 

I watch with tears as Hayden cuts the cord and the nurse tells me skin to skin is important then puts her on my chest. 

“Look who's finally here.” I speak softly to her and watch Hayden with teary eyes, his own welling up when the nurse puts our daughter in his arms and he kisses her head.

“Got a name for her?” Dr. Maxwell asks.

“Alexis Lillian Collins.” We say in unison.

A smile stretches on my face as I take in the scene in front of me. Our daughter is holding Hayden's thumb with her entire hand and I know from that moment onward that she'll have him wrapped around her finger.

‘I can't imagine my life without both of them.’ Is the last thought I have then suddenly all I hear is jumbled noise around me.

I watched as Dr. Maxwell's smile faded.

Why can't I move?

“Get another IV line.” 

Everything fades into darkness.

…………

Hayden's POV 

“W-what's going on?” 

“Mr. Collins, please step outside.”

“No, tell me what's going on.” 

“Nurse Kim, take the baby to the NICU.”

“Call theatre.”

My vision is blurry due to tears welling in my eyes as the nurse guides me outside the ward and I watch as nurses and doctors rush in Victoria's ward.

‘I can't lose her. Our daughter is barely minutes old and will need her mother.’

I hear someone calling out my name in the distance, but it all feels like a dream, distant. I shake my head, pulling the hair there, willing myself to be here, in the present. Victoria needs me, Alexis needs me sane and well.

“Hayden, we came as soon as I heard.”

I turn to see Noah in his suit, probably coming from work, followed by our friends. I faintly remember sending a message that Tori is in labour in the WhatsApp group Mo created for helping out with Victoria.

“What's wrong? Is Victoria okay?” Noah asks worry etched on his face.

“I don't know.” 

“And the baby?” Mo asks.

“She's healthy.” 

The door to the theatre opens, “Nurse Kim, is she okay?”

Instead of answering, stillness filled the hallway.

Nobody said a word.

Nobody had to.