Chapter 120 Water Broken
Chapter 120 Water Broken
Xavier looked down, his gaze fixed on the pool of clear liquid soaking the elevator floor. The fluid continued to seep from beneath Agatha’s gown. Xavier’s breath caught in his throat. He felt his heart thumping so violently that his ears rang.
"Xavier," Agatha called again. Her voice was raspy. Her fingers clawed at Xavier’s black shirt until the fabric was a wrinkled mess. "It hurts so much. I feel such pressure down there."
"I know. I’m here," Xavier said.
Xavier adjusted his stance. He shifted his left hand to fish the phone from his trouser pocket while his right arm pulled Agatha tightly against him. His strong right arm supported her back and lower hips steadily. He pressed his back against the elevator wall to stay balanced as the lift descended.
"Frans! Get the car to the basement elevator doors right now! Clear the path!" Xavier barked as soon as the call connected.
"Yes, Sir! I’m in position!" Frans replied from the other end.
Xavier immediately cut the call. He searched for Pierre’s contact with a thumb that trembled slightly. The elevator doors began to slide open as they reached the ground floor.
"Pierre, prepare the delivery room at the mansion. Right now. Agatha’s water broke. She is having intense contractions," Xavier ordered without preamble.
"Bring her as quickly as possible, Sir. I will have the medical team ready," Pierre answered in a calm but swift tone.
"Make sure everything is ready! I don’t want a single mistake!" Xavier turned off his phone.
Xavier immediately carried Agatha out of the elevator. He moved with long strides across the basement parking lot. The muscles in his right arm strained under the weight of supporting Agatha alone while his left hand stayed ready by his wife’s stomach. He tried to keep his steps steady so the jolting would not worsen her pain.
"Bang!"
Xavier kicked open the access door to the basement exit. The black SUV was waiting with the back door open. Frans stood ready with a face that looked just as tense.
"Xav, over here!" Frans called out.
Xavier lowered Agatha into the back seat with extreme care. He quickly climbed in after her and pulled her head to rest against his chest. Xavier gripped Agatha’s fingers tightly, letting his wife squeeze his hand with all her strength.
"Ugh! Akh! Xavier, it hurts so badly!" Agatha groaned. Sweat began to bead on her forehead.
"Bernapaslah, Agatha. Follow my count. Breathe in, then out slowly," Xavier whispered into his wife’s ear.
"Hah! Hah! I can’t! It feels like my back is going to snap!" Agatha whimpered.
"Go, Frans! Faster!" Xavier shouted.
The car raced through the streets. Frans navigated the vehicle expertly through the heavy traffic. Xavier continued to stroke Agatha’s hair, which was becoming damp with cold sweat.
"Take another breath, sweetheart. You’re doing great. You can do this," Xavier tried to steady his own voice.
"Mmh! Why now? This is too early, Xavier. It was supposed to be two more weeks," Agatha whispered between her frantic breaths.
"Our children seem impatient to see the world. Don’t worry about the date. Just focus on me," he replied.
"Ahh! The pain is coming back!" Agatha shrieked. Her body stiffened. She tugged at Xavier’s shirt collar until the top buttons popped off.
"Hold on just a little longer. We are almost home," Xavier kissed her forehead repeatedly.
The car turned sharply into the gates of the Volskey residence. Several nurses were already waiting at the entrance with a gurney. As soon as the car came to a complete stop, Xavier threw the door open and carried Agatha out himself.
"Bring her inside, Mr. Xavier! Put her on the bed!" shouted Pierre, who was already waiting in medical scrubs.
Xavier moved quickly toward the room prepared on the first floor. He laid Agatha on the medical bed with great gentleness. Pierre immediately approached and began the initial examination.
"Hah! Hah! Pierre! Do something! It hurts so much!" Agatha groaned.
"Stay calm, Ma'am. I need to check your progress," Pierre said as he snapped on medical gloves. "Mr. Xavier, hold her hands. Don't let her move too much."
Xavier moved to the side of Agatha’s head. He let his wife grip his arm. His eyes never left Agatha’s flushed face.
"Akh! Ugh!" Agatha squeezed her eyes shut as Pierre performed the internal exam.
"Take a deep breath, Ma'am. Don’t push yet. You must stay calm," Pierre instructed.
Pierre pulled his hand back. He looked at the monitor showing the heartbeats of the triplets in Agatha’s womb. The room suddenly fell silent, save for the sound of Agatha’s ragged breathing.
"How is it, Pierre?" Xavier asked in a demanding tone.
Pierre removed his gloves. "The amniotic fluid has indeed broken prematurely. But the dilation is still very small."
"How much dilation?" Agatha asked in a weak voice.
"Only two centimeters, Ma'am. The birth canal is not fully open yet," Pierre answered.
"Two? Only two after all this pain?" Agatha seemed unable to believe it.
"You need to reach ten centimeters before you can start pushing. For a triplet pregnancy, this process feels much heavier because the pressure in your uterus is already at its maximum," Pierre explained.
"How much longer?" Xavier stared at Pierre sharply.
"It depends on Agatha’s body. It could be a few hours, or even until tonight. A first labor usually takes quite a long time," Pierre checked the IV bag he was about to set up.
"Mmh! Akh!" Agatha groaned again as another contraction hit her. "You said the water broke prematurely? Is it dangerous for the babies?"
Pierre nodded slightly while preparing the IV needle. "This is indeed earlier than the date we calculated. Their lungs should be strong enough, but we must remain vigilant. We have no choice but to wait for full dilation."
"It hurts so much, Xavier," Agatha whimpered. Tears began to flow from the corners of her eyes.
Xavier wiped the tears away with his thumb. "I know. I’ll stay right here. I won’t let go of your hand."
"Xavier," Agatha called softly.
"I’m here, sweetheart. Hold on."