"Lucy, you need to check to see how far she's dilated," Dr. Mac directs.
Lucy nods. "Now I know what the hot water's for. She dips a washcloth in the water, then wipes her hands. She dips another one, then heads between my legs.
"This isn't awkward at all," Jace mutters.
"Who gives a fuck! It hurts and if she can help make it stop, then let her do what she's gotta do," I wail. I nearly called him Pee Pants. Oh, this pain.
Dr. Mac instructs Lucy how to tell how many centimeters I'm dilated, Lucy looks up. "I'm going in."
I nod.
Xander stands there transfixed.
"You can go now," Jace tells him.
Xander shakes his head. "I can't see anything down there. Can't I just stay?"
"Oh for fuck's sake," Jace curses.
"He can stay, but no further than there," I warn. He was kind enough to time the contractions which are now one on top of the other, killing me slowly.
"She's at eight, nearly nine," Lucy announces.
"Good, good," Dr. Mac says. "You may need scissors or a sharp knife in case the head is as big as Jace's."
Everyone laughs, including me.
"Why am I getting picked on today?" he questions.
"Because you did this to me!" I say, pinching him for good measure.
"Ow. Damn."
"That's not even close to this," I berate, pointing to my stomach.
"Another truth," Jesse mutters.
"Shut up over there in the peanut gallery," Jace bitches.
Jesse laughs loud.
"Fucker," Jace mutters.
Jesse only laughs harder.
There's too much happening to my body right now. I tone them all out and focus on my breathing, but even the breathing isn't helping. It's too intense, extreme. This pain is excruciating.
"Lucy," I grit through my teeth. "Something's happening."
"Wait! Let me check you. Do not push!"
Then Lucy's back down there, and that does not feel good when she's doing whatever she has to do.
"Holy shit!" she curses with excitement. "You're ready and the baby's definitely ready."
"Now what?" I ask.
"On your next contraction, you push. You give in to the urge and bear down," she tells me.
