“I’ll get it when you’re comfortable,” Doom said.
For the next two hours, I was subjected to poking, prodding, and the torturous ‘checking,’ until it was determined I could have an epidural.
“Once the doc gives you the epidural, we can break your water,” the nurse informed me.
This was all great information, however, it ended up taking a little longer than expected, so by the time the doctor arrived to administer the epidural, I was about to kill someone. And that someone was Doom because he was the closest to me.
“Okay, Lyric,” Dr. Morther said gently, “I’m going to have you bend over like a cat and I need you not to move. It’s easier than it sounds, but it’s important.”
I nodded and Doom helped me swing my legs over the side of the hospital bed, taking my hands and holding me as I dropped my head to his shoulder. Dr. Morther slid the needle into my back and all of a sudden the pain of my contractions stopped and I let out a sigh of relief.
I met Doom’s eyes and stroked his cheek. “I’m so sorry I’ve been a shrew.”
He chuckled. “You’re not a shrew, Angel. You’re in pain. Don’t even give it another thought.”
A nurse and Dr. Morther helped position me back into the bed so I could keep the epidural in place, and then I was given space to sleep since nothing was really happening yet.
“Doc and Olivia are here,” Doom said. “So are Alamo and Jasmine.”
“Oh, honey, Olivia doesn’t need to be here. This must be killing her.”
“Let our friend decide what she can handle,” Doom suggested. “You focus on having our baby.”
I grabbed his hand. “Tell Doc to let her off the hook.”
“Okay, baby. I’ll take care of it.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Ifyou rest.”
I closed my eyes and nodded.
* * *
Doom
Lyric fell asleep almost immediately and I used the reprieve to step outside. I still hadn’t grabbed her bag from the car and I knew she’d need a few things once the baby came.
“How is she?” Willow asked as soon as I stepped into the hallway. Dash, Badger, and Quin smiled in anticipation as I walked out.
“Asleep for the moment,” I said.
I saw Olivia pull away from Doc, wiping her tears and forcing a smile. “Do you need anything?”
Jesus, this woman was made of steel. “I was just going to grab Lyric’s bag from the car.”
“I can do that,” Olivia offered.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. It’ll give me something to do. Got the keys?”
I nodded and handed them to her. “It’s parked in B7.”
“Okay.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.”
“No problem.”
“I’ll come with you,” Willow said, and the women headed to the elevators.
