The Midwife's Nine-Month Miracle, page 14
* * *
‘I can’t do this,’ Gila panted as yet another contraction ran through her body. She wanted to yell and weep all at the same time, but a part of her mind also told her to stay quiet and not make a fuss. She wasn’t an outgoing, dramatic kind of person. The idea of screaming like a banshee was completely outlandish to her. But this had gone on long enough and now she was done.
‘Gila?’
‘Yes?’ She winced at the sharpness of her tone, but found it impossible to regret. In the centre of the bed, on all fours, she tried to go with the pain, silently repeating to herself how childbirth was natural and survivable without the inclusion of drugs, but it wasn’t easy when it hurt so much.
‘Gila?’ Leo repeated.
She sighed and rolled her eyes. Couldn’t the man see she was busy? She didn’t have the time or the desire for chit-chat. ‘Yes?’
Leo touched her side and coaxed, ‘You’re doing beautifully, darling. Just a little longer. Your progress is perfect. Totally textbook, you’ll be happy to hear.’
‘How do you know it’s going to be a little longer?’ she demanded, suddenly angry. ‘The baby’s not inside you, is it? Doing its best to rip you to pie—’
Leo dunked back towards the bottom of the bed away from her complaining. Rubbing a comforting hand on her right leg, he soothed, ‘But I am a doctor. So I outrank you even if you are doing all the work.’
‘Pfft,’ she dismissed. ‘You mend broken bones and save people from life-threatening complications. You do not regularly bring new life into the world the way I do. I’m the baby expert here, Dr Wright. Understand? I make all the decisions. You just keep telling me what everything looks like down your end.’
He laughed and commented, ‘Childbirth is making you grouchy, I see. Would you like more ice to suck on? Or do you fancy sitting up for a while? Shall I get the mirror from the bathroom so you can see what’s happening, or do you trust me to do everything right?’
‘I trust you,’ Gila panted, because she did. Every question she asked, Leo answered with patience. When she demanded information, he gave it without hesitation. So far, he’d acted the perfect birthing partner. ‘What I need is for this to be over and the baby in my arms.’
Leo again stroked his hand over her leg. ‘You’re doing really well and you’re totally beautiful, too.’
‘I’m not beautiful,’ Gila dismissed crossly. ‘I’m tired, on all fours and sweaty. In no realms of someone’s imagination can I be viewed as anything but a hot, hormonal mess.’
‘I think you’re amazing,’ he added, ignoring her complaints. ‘And I’m so proud of you. You’re doing brilliantly, Gila.’
‘I’m being a nightmare patient, aren’t I?’ she suddenly sobbed, rubbing her hand against her forehead. ‘I’m a terrible person, Leo. You’re trying to help me and I’m being mean and angry and so flipping emotional and—’
‘Our child’s giving you a hard time,’ Leo interrupted softly. ‘You’re allowed to be all of those. Besides, I’ve borne worse patients than you, trust me. You’re in the minors league when it comes to awkwardness and bad behaviour.’
She snorted, wiping away a stupid tear. ‘Thanks, I think.’
He smiled and rubbed her behind. ‘But I’ve never had a patient as brave as you’re being. Are you sure I can’t fetch you more ice?’
‘No, just stay here with me,’ she begged as another contraction hit her. ‘I need you.’
‘Of course,’ he said, reaching out to rub the base of her spine. Their purpose linked as their child fought in its journey towards life. ‘We can get through this. Now a gentle push, that’s it.’
Once the contraction eased, Leo checked her once more, struck speechless when he spotted the top of the baby’s head. ‘I can see the head. Oh, God, Gila. I can see the top of the baby’s head.’
Gila chuckled. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, and it’s amazing. A bit mucky, but amazing. Here comes the rest of it.’
‘It’s going to be soon,’ Gila warned. ‘I need to take a breath. Don’t forget you’ll need to check that the cord is not around the baby’s neck.’
He shifted to the top of the bed and grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Smacking a loud, sloppy kiss to her damp forehead, he said, ‘I’m ready when you are. Nice and slow, no rushing for this next part. The baby’s head is out. You’re doing really well.’
She laughed helplessly when he dashed away. ‘I want to push.’
‘Okay, but don’t use too much pressure. The baby’s coming. There’s no sign of the cord. The shoulders are out, I’m ready to receive, sweetheart. Yes, that’s it. Yes. Yes. Oh, my God, she’s beautiful, Gila. Our daughter is utterly beautiful.’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A FAINT ANGRY squall filled the bedroom moments later. Leo lifted his child and didn’t bother to wipe his falling tears as he cradled her to his body. This angry, irritated miracle of a baby, created from his and Gila’s love, was their child. And between them—together—they’d brought this wonderful small bundle into the world.
And she was perfect. Their sweet, precious daughter, only seconds born and a little mucky, was absolutely and completely perfect.
‘Is everything okay?’ a weary voice enquired from the other end of the bed.
Leo nodded, unable to find words, his throat and eyes full of more tears, and stepped closer to where Gila, exhausted, but beautiful, waited for them.
Grabbing a towel, he quickly wrapped it around the baby to keep her warm, before carefully laying her onto Gila’s naked body, all the time careful to keep the cord, still attached to baby and placenta, free from tension. He would cut it in a second, but, first, it was time for mother and baby to get acquainted.
Gila gave him a tired smile, her eyes curious as she took in their daughter now placed against her stomach and breast. A tear of her own rolled slowly over her cheek. With shaky, hesitant fingers, she softly touched the baby’s face. ‘We have a little girl, Leo.’
Leo sat on the bed next to them. Aching to stretch out and hug the two most precious females in his life, but aware he still had work to do. There’d be plenty of time and occasions for cuddles. In fact, the rest of their lives.
‘Oh, Leo. She’s so...’ Gila’s words faded off as she stared at her baby. Love and wonder shining from her, as she gently stroked a finger across a precious cheek.
‘Isn’t she?’ he agreed, placing his arm around Gila’s shoulders. Together they silently took in the marvel of their newborn daughter. No words needed as they acquainted themselves with this longed-for stranger, who, since pushing her way early into the world, was now and would always be the centre of their lives.
Gila rubbed a light finger over the baby’s hand. ‘Look at how tiny her fingers are. Oh, Leo. Her nails are minuscule. I never imagined I would ever experience this moment. I always thought I would be alone in life. Until I met you.’
Leo gave into the urge and slipped his other arm around the baby, where Gila held her. Fresh tears fell, but he ignored them, too. For the first time in many months he was happy and he meant to enjoy it. Here with his wife and daughter. The one place he truly wished to stay. ‘She’s adorable, isn’t she?’
There were no words good enough to describe their daughter. Beyond adorable or astonishing. Just perfect and theirs. How on earth they’d managed to create a child so breathtaking, he didn’t know, but he thanked all the saints for gifting her to them.
‘She looks like you,’ Gila whispered, lightly rubbing the dark wisps of their daughter’s hair.
‘Really?’ He frowned, not seeing it. Surely not. The baby was beautiful and he definitely wasn’t. Rugged, some people liked to call him, but he just saw the same old beaten-up face he’d always owned, whenever he looked in a mirror.
‘I think she resembles you more,’ he said, touching the baby’s lower lip. His heart melted as his daughter tried to capture his finger with her mouth. ‘Especially her mouth. Such a pretty one, isn’t it? Just like yours.’
Gila smiled and continued to gaze at their daughter. ‘Perhaps she simply looks like herself? A mixture of us, but totally individual.’
Leo liked that idea. Made by them, but original. ‘Yep, I think you’re right. Anyone looking at her can see she’s amazing and unique. Shall I give her a quick wash, before you try feeding her?’
Gila nodded. ‘Good idea. There’s a blue bag in the bottom of the wardrobe at my uncle’s. It contains baby stuff and a few newborn outfits. Though she’s pretty long despite being a few weeks early, the all-in-ones should fit.’
Leo leaned over and gave into the urge before he stopped himself. Closing his eyes, he kissed Gila fully on the mouth, lingering for several long seconds before pulling away. He loved this woman and he hoped she understood exactly how much from that kiss. ‘Thank you for our daughter.’
She smiled back and whispered, ‘Thank you, too.’
Leo quickly dealt with the cord and placenta. Helping Gila to the chair, he quickly changed the sheets, before easing her and baby back into the bed.
Gathering all the dirty linen, he glanced at the woman and child sitting in the centre of the bed. His family. His girls.
Gila looked up and smiled at him. ‘I guess despite everything we did something right.’
He nodded. ‘We did. I’ll go and get the bag from your uncle’s place.’
Stepping outside the narrowboat, Leo paused and glanced up at the sky. Somehow, he had to put his marriage back together. He didn’t want to be just friends or polite acquaintances with Gila. He craved more. He wanted his family living with him.
Tilting his head further back, he whispered, ‘I’m a daddy, sis. I’ve a daughter and she’s incredible.’
* * *
Leo wrapped the soft knitted cream blanket around their daughter and walked over to the bed.
‘Make sure to hold her head—’ Gila stopped and winced, knowing she didn’t need to tell Leo what to do. The gentle, careful way he held and tended to the baby’s needs showed he was more than capable. ‘Sorry, I just...she’s so dear and I want to be a help.’
Leo grinned. ‘You’re a protective new mum, you’re allowed to fuss. But I know what I’m doing. Besides, you did all the work bringing her into our lives, enjoy a minute’s rest while she lets you.’
Gila sighed and leaned back against the clean pillow he’d switched when he changed the bedding earlier. The man hadn’t stopped since their little one’s arrival. Not only had he been the best stand-in midwife, Leo had helped her birth the placenta, cleaned her and the bed, and had just finished bathing their daughter. Without doubt a human dynamo of a man.
‘Of course you do. Thanks, Leo. For everything.’
‘My pleasure. Hey, I did the easy work. You’re the one producing miracles today. Besides, can’t have either of you going for a check-up at the hospital all messy, can we?’
Her second sigh filled the room as she snuggled into the pillows behind her back. ‘I suppose it’s best to get checked out.’
‘If you want to stay home, you can, but I think all your friends at the maternity unit are hoping to see both you and baby. They were very excited when I phoned in and told them the news.’
She grinned. ‘No, we’ll go. We can grab some takeaway on the way home. Besides, I want to show off our baby girl.’
Leo chuckled and rocked their whimpering daughter. Washed, dressed and, by the sounds of complaint coming from her, more than ready for a feed. ‘Have you thought of any names?’
Content, Gila shrugged. ‘A few. You?’
Leo bent over and placed their daughter down onto the mattress, close to the foot of the bed. Reaching for the stethoscope he’d fetched at the same time as Gila’s baby bag, he placed one end in his ears and then blew on the other end to warm the metal, before bending over his wriggling baby.
‘What are you doing?’ Gila frowned as Leo partly unwrapped the blanket and pressed the stethoscope’s end to their child’s chest.
He straightened slightly and turned his head Gila’s way. ‘Thought I’d give our daughter a quick check over. So...names? How about Arabella?’
Gila tilted her head to one side and pondered the name. ‘Arabella Wright. I like it. Actually, I love it. What about a middle name?’
Leo frowned and replaced the stethoscope back on the same spot on the baby’s chest and listened once more. His frown deepening as he shifted the instrument slightly without saying a word.
‘What’s the matter?’ Gila asked, seeing his concerned expression. She knew Leo well enough to know when he was troubled over something. Tautness radiated from his body so strongly that she could practically feel it pulsating across the space between them.
‘I—’
The sound of her uncle calling their names interrupted Leo and together they glanced towards the open bedroom door.
‘We’re in here,’ Leo called back, picking the baby up and handing her over to Gila. With a lingering kiss to Arabella’s head, he straightened as Art rushed into the room.
‘Oh, it’s true. Maggie said Leo called in to collect your bag,’ Gila’s uncle gushed, moving closer. ‘Oh, my goodness, you’ve really had the baby.’
Gila reached out and caught Leo’s fingers. Smiling at him, she searched his face, but found nothing to indicate something was amiss. Perhaps she’d imagined his worried expression and tightness in his movements.
Turning back to her uncle, Gila laughed. ‘We did. Come and meet your great-niece.’
Art walked nearer and glanced down at the baby. ‘Oh, she’s a darling, isn’t she? I also wanted to tell you that the road is clear and free from oranges.’
‘Finally.’ Leo chuckled, removing the stethoscope from his neck and dropping it onto the chair.
Art nodded, his eyes not leaving Arabella. ‘She’s so small. Are babies always this tiny?’
‘She is,’ Gila agreed, then reassured him, ‘She’s early, but she’ll soon gain weight. Apart from that, she’s fine.’
‘Congratulations, both of you,’ Art said. ‘Your baby is beautiful, but your lives are about to get noisy and busy.’
Gila laughed and glanced at Leo, her heart hitching when she noticed that he wasn’t laughing with them, instead his thoughtful gaze was fixed firmly on their sweet baby daughter.
* * *
Leo hadn’t heard wrong. He’d prayed during the car journey that he had, but the sound he’d picked up when he’d listened to Arabella’s heart was just as he thought. When they arrived at the hospital, the doctors soon confirmed his fears. Their daughter had a suspected heart murmur.
Pushing open the door to the room Gila had been allocated, Leo paused on the threshold taking in his wife as she nestled Arabella in her arms. Rooted to the floor by the sheer scene of love before him. A true and pure love. A mother and child’s love. Clear in the way Gila held and looked at their daughter, softly whispering comforting words to her.
Love.
That special sentiment that filled a person’s life with meaning. A reason for living each and every day. Possessions might look fine and pretty, but they didn’t fill a person’s heart with light and laughter. They didn’t calm a man’s soul the way true love did.
The news he’d come here to give Gila would test that connection of love and probably theirs as well. He wasn’t too conceited to admit it scared him. He’d already let this woman down. He’d promised Gila a life of happiness, when all he’d managed to do was inflict heartache on her without meaning to. He’d emotionally locked her out when he should have smashed through the difficulty and found a way to say the words crammed inside him.
‘Hey,’ he greeted, stepping further into the room. He wasn’t going to avoid this moment any longer. He suspected Gila already sensed something was off because of the way she’d kept glancing at him during the car ride to the hospital. Plus, he needed to make a phone call after he spoke with her. One that wouldn’t wait.
She smiled, her beautiful smile that always hit him hard in the centre of the heart. The one that had captured him the first time she sent it his way. The one he’d fallen in love with.
‘Gila, we need to talk.’
Apprehension erased the happiness from her expression and he faltered as he crossed the room. Here was his small perfect family. His purpose for waking each day. The real reason his heart took each single beat. He hated doing it, but she had to know the truth. He refused to keep secrets from her. He’d done it once and look at what happened. It was time to find out her thoughts, before someone else accidentally let slip about the murmur. And she would hate him if that happened.
He reached the bed and sat down. The thin mattress giving underneath him. Swallowing, he took a moment, before he said, ‘Gila, the doctors have checked over our sweetheart.’
Gila frowned and waited for him to continue. ‘Yes, the midwife who brought her back just now told me they’d finished, but she never said anything else. Is everything okay?’
Leo hesitated, before meeting her gaze. Seeing the concern in her eyes, he stiffened his spine. God, how he loved this woman. How he ached to protect her from any worries, but this was their child and she needed to know.
‘Leo?’ she quizzed.
His eyes moved to their daughter. The corner of his mouth twitching as he took in her sweet baby face. How could anyone think babies were ugly when they were born? His little girl wasn’t. Without thought or effort, love flowed through him with more force than a monsoon. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do or give for his little girl.
‘Something’s wrong, isn’t it?’ Gila whispered.
He nodded, not surprised by her question. As a midwife, she’d easily recognise the signs when the medical staff were concerned for a baby’s well-being. No doubt she’d already figured out the truth. ‘Yes.’
