Chapter 121 The Wait
Chapter 121 The Wait
Pierre pressed the tip of a small vial filled with clear liquid. He inserted a syringe through the rubber stopper and slowly pulled the plunger. The fluid moved into the cylinder. Pierre approached the IV line attached to the back of Agatha’s left hand.
"I am going to administer a pain reliever now, Ma'am. You will feel a bit more relaxed in a few minutes," Pierre said.
Agatha only nodded weakly. Sweat drenched her face and neck. Her long hair clung messily to the white pillow, which was now in total disarray. Pierre injected the fluid into the IV port.
"Ugh, it feels so cold," Agatha whimpered.
"That is normal. Try to relax your muscles," Pierre answered.
Xavier gripped Agatha’s right hand. He wiped the sweat from his wife’s forehead with a damp towel.
"How is it? Do you feel the effect yet?" Xavier asked.
"A little. The burning in my lower back has lessened, but the pressure down there is still there," Agatha whispered.
The sound of three knocks echoed at the door. It opened before an answer could be given. Melynda stepped inside with a face full of anxiety. Cardios walked right behind her with heavy steps.
"Agatha! Oh God, my daughter!" Melynda cried out.
Melynda immediately rushed to the side of the bed. She reached out to touch Agatha’s cheek, but Xavier blocked his mother’s hand.
"Not now, Mom. She is trying to rest," Xavier said in a low voice.
Melynda pulled her hand back. She stared at Xavier with eyes that began to glisten. "How is she, Pierre? When will my grandchildren be born?"
"It is still in progress, Mrs. Melynda. Dilation reached six centimeters an hour ago. We have to wait until ten," Pierre explained while tidying his medical tools.
Cardios approached and stood beside Xavier. He patted his son-in-law’s shoulder. "You have to be strong, Xavier. Your wife needs you to stay calm by her side."
Xavier did not look away. His eyes remained fixed on Agatha. "I know. I am not going anywhere."
"Is there anything we can do?" Cardios asked.
"Give us space. Agatha cannot concentrate if there are too many people in here," Xavier replied firmly.
Melynda let out a long sigh. She stroked Agatha’s leg through the blanket. "We just want to make sure you are okay, sweetheart. We will wait outside the room."
Agatha opened her eyes slightly. "Thank you, Mom. I am okay. Xavier is looking after me."
"We are leaving now. Pierre, inform us of any developments," Cardios said as he led his wife toward the door.
Once the door closed, the room fell silent again. Only the sound of the babies’ heartbeats echoed from the medical monitor. The rhythm was fast and constant.
"Xavier," Agatha called.
"Yes, sweetheart? Is something hurting?" Xavier leaned his face closer to hers.
"Talk to me. I do not want to think about this pain," Agatha pleaded.
Xavier fell silent for a moment. He tried to think of something that could distract his wife’s mind. "Do you remember that house by the lake you saw in the magazine last month?"
"The house with the large glass windows?" Agatha tried to offer a thin smile.
"Yes. I bought it last week. I planned to surprise you once the babies were born," Xavier said.
Agatha’s eyes widened. "You are joking? That was so expensive, Xavier."
"Money is not an issue. I want you to have a quiet place to raise the children. There is a vast yard there. I will build a safe play area for them," Xavier continued to speak in a soft voice.
"Mmh! Akh!" Agatha groaned. Her body stiffened again. A contraction had returned.
"Take a breath, Agatha. Look at me. Focus on my voice," Xavier commanded.
"I cannot think about that house right now! It hurts so much! Hah! Hah!" Agatha gripped Xavier’s hand. Her nails dug into his skin.
Xavier did not flinch. He let his arm become the outlet for Agatha’s pain. "Keep telling the story, Xavier! Quickly!"
"Alright. In the backyard of that house, I will plant a large oak tree. We can put a swing there. I will also order the wooden furniture you liked for the living room. You can watch the sunset every afternoon while holding our babies," Xavier continued the story with more detail.
Agatha began to regulate her breathing again. The pain receded slowly. "You really bought it?"
"It is already in your name. The documents are in my office safe," Xavier answered.
Three hours passed. The wall clock in the room showed eleven at night. Pierre approached again to perform an internal examination. Pierre’s face looked serious as he checked the monitor and the progress of Agatha’s birth canal.
"How is it, Pierre? What is the dilation?" Agatha asked with a voice that was beginning to fail.
Pierre removed his gloves. "Still eight centimeters, Mrs. Agatha. There has been no significant progress in the last two hours."
"Why has it stopped at eight? I cannot take this anymore!" Agatha whimpered. Tears began to flow, soaking the pillow.
Xavier looked at Pierre sharply. "Why has it stopped? Do something."
"Sometimes the body hits a plateau. The uterus needs a stronger nudge to finish this dilation," Pierre answered. He took a new IV bottle containing another clear liquid.
"What is that?" Xavier asked.
"A stimulant. Oxytocin. This will make the contractions stronger and more frequent. We need to reach ten centimeters as quickly as possible because the water has been broken for too long," Pierre explained.
"Just do it. I want this to end," Agatha said.
Pierre replaced the old IV bottle with the one containing the stimulant. He adjusted the drip so the medication entered Agatha’s bloodstream gradually.
It did not take long for the medicine to work. Within ten minutes, Agatha’s body convulsed.
"Akh! Ahh! This is much worse than before! Xavier! It hurts!" Agatha screamed. She pulled at Xavier’s shirt collar until the fabric made a ripping sound.
"Hold on, sweetheart. This is for the final stage," Xavier said, pulling Agatha’s shoulders into an embrace.
"Ugh! Mmh! Pierre! It feels like I am going to split apart!" Agatha groaned with a very loud voice.
"Good, Mrs. Agatha. That pain means your uterus is working perfectly. Keep breathing just like before," Pierre remained focused on the monitor.
Half an hour later, Agatha began to feel a very powerful urge from within her abdomen. She felt as though her body was automatically trying to expel something.
"Xavier, I want to push! I cannot hold it back anymore!" Agatha cried out.
Pierre immediately put on full delivery gear. He performed a final check quickly. Pierre’s eyes flashed as he saw the progress.
"Ten centimeters! It is complete! The birth canal is fully open!" Pierre shouted.
Pierre turned toward the door and yelled to the nurses outside. "Prepare the team! Everyone get into delivery positions!"
Several nurses rushed in, bringing additional equipment. Pierre glanced toward the door where Melynda and Cardios were trying to peek in.
"Everyone out! Aside from the medical team and Mr. Xavier, no one is allowed in this room!" Pierre ordered in a very firm voice.
Melynda and Cardios were forced to retreat. The door was closed tight and locked from the inside. Pierre looked at Agatha, who was now ready in the delivery position.
"Mrs. Agatha, listen to me. When the next contraction comes, take a deep breath and push with all your might. Do not let your breath out through your mouth while pushing," Pierre instructed.
Agatha nodded with the last of her strength. She looked at Xavier, who was still gripping her hand tightly.
"Xavier, do not look down," Agatha whispered.
Xavier shook his head. He kissed the back of Agatha’s hand for a long moment. "I will stay right here, looking into your eyes. We are going to meet them now."
Agatha felt her stomach tighten to the absolute limit. She drew in the deepest breath possible.
"Now, Mrs. Agatha! Push!" Pierre commanded.
"Akhhh!"