Epilogue
XANDER
“Push, Tera. Just a little more,” Dad tells Tera.
“Screw you. You push. Just a little more. I’ll give you a little more,” she yells.
“Good, let’s go!” he replies. He’s got bigger balls than I do. I’d never in a million years say that to Tera right now.
She growls and digs deep, pushing hard. I’m sitting behind her, helping to support her back while she leans forward, giving it all she’s got to give birth to our baby.
I think I’ve said two words. I’m scared shitless. She’s in so much pain and Dad’s acting like this is normal. This cannot be normal. I feel how hard her stomach tightens.
“There’s the head,” Dad praises and Tera pants.
I make a face at all the goo and blood and Tera snickers. “You should see your face right now.”
I grin. “All that… goo and blood.” I scrunch up my nose.
“I’m totally not looking. I don’t want to see how big my vagina has gotten to accommodate this child,” she pants.
“It all goes back to normal,” Dad reminds her. “Do Kegels.”
“Kegel this,” she says, giving him the finger.
Dad laughs. “I know you don’t really mean that. It’s the pain talking.”
“No, it’s really not. I mean it. I mean it a whole fuck of a lot,” she replies.
Dad just laughs more.
“Dad,” I begin, “ixnay on the aughinglay.”
He laughs again.
“You got a death wish, old man?” I ask, in shock.
“One more little push, not too hard, Tera. You’re a superstar,” he croons.
“Damn right I’m a superstar,” she answers. “Just look at this baby hanging out of my vajayjay.” A contraction hits and she groans, pushing a bit and out slips the baby.
“Whoa,” I mutter.
“It’s a baby girl!” Dad announces. “Do you wanna cut the cord?”
“I don’t want to move,” I tell him.
“No worries.”
They bring the baby close and hand me some scissor-like thingies to cut the cord. It’s kinda gross, really. I get mesmerized by our daughter as the nurse suctions her mouth and nose, and a second nurse cleans off the gunk. Yuck.
“Jesus, Tera. Look at her. She’s so small. Look, her face is all scrunched up just like yours does when I fart. And look at all that dark hair,” I ramble.
“It’s no wonder you had heartburn,” I continue. I read that in a book somewhere. I think Tera thinks it’s bullshit, but I think it’s all true.
“Hold the phone!” Dad yells.
I sit up, and so does Tera.
