Page 62 of Capturing the Captain

Olivia pushes again, laser focused on her task. She’s not screaming, not speaking, she’s not even breathing. Just pushing as hard as she can. I’m completely enraptured by her. Her strength and resilience is otherworldly.

Once the contraction ends, Olivia breathes heavily. “It’s too hard. Nothing is happening!”

“Olivia, your baby is moving.” The midwife tells her, “A few more big pushes and your baby will be here.”

Deep breath. Push. Deep breath. Push.

“Josh, do you want to see this?” She asks me.

I take a moment to think. Do I want to see it? What if it scars me for life? What if I can’t look at Olivia the same again?

“Oh my God!” Sasha exclaims, “That’s so much hair.”

“I’m sorry!” Olivia cries and we all look at her with confusion. “It’s been too awkward to shave down there.”

The silence in the room is deafening, followed by Sasha’s howl of laughter. “Not you, babe. Your baby girl. She has so much hair.”

I stifle the laugh that’s bubbling up as Olivia realizes what Sasha meant. I’m sure if her face wasn’t already bright red from pushing, it would be now.

“Olivia,” The midwife starts, "I want you to hook your arms around your thighs and pull them up to your chest. Can you do that for me?” Olivia nods, doing as she’s asked. “When you feel the urge to push, I want you to pull your legs tight against you.”

I take that moment to look down at my baby being born. On the next big push, her tiny head is fully out and I can’t help but think how beautiful she is already, even though she’s all swollen and covered in blood and inside stuff.

“Okay stop pushing for me.” The midwife, who I’ve learnt is called Marie, says. “This next push will be more gentle just so we can get the shoulders out.”

One minute, Olivia has her arms wrapped around her legs and the next, they’re wrapped around our daughter.

A quiet knock sounds against the hospital room door and my gaze lands on Matthews as he walks through.

“Hey, Cap.”

“Hey, man.” I stand to greet him in a bro hug. He takes my face in his hands and I swear he’s gonna kiss me. Thankfully he doesn’t.

“How’s our girls?” He glances over at a sleeping Olivia and our baby in the cot beside her. He’s been calling them ‘our girls’ for months now. Him and Olivia have become really close since we got back together.

“They’re good.” I tell him, “Ollie was amazing. There’s no way I could have done what she did today.”

“Sash told me how rough it was. She gave me details I did not need to hear.”

“Sasha, huh?”

“It’s nothing, Cap.” He runs a hand through his messy blonde hair. “I sent her a text to see how everything was. I needed to know they were both okay.” My heart warms at the brotherly love. “Can I?” He asks, gesturing towards my daughter.

I nod in response and he makes his way over. The love is shining through his eyes as he looks at her, completely enamoured.

Olivia stirs, her eyes fluttering open. I move towards her the second those bright blue eyes land on me. “Hey, baby. How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay.” She replies in a hushed voice, rubbing her eyes with her palms.

“Hey, Olliepop.” Conor greets her, kissing her on the forehead. “She’s beautiful. Looks just like you.” He tells Olivia. I wait for the jealousy or the possessiveness but it doesn’t come. Our daughter is the most beautiful thing I have ever set my eyes on. She has lots of chocolate brown hair sitting on top of her head and the cutest little button nose. She has her mommy’s heart shaped lips that jut out at the bottom and the most intense, and intoxicating, deep blue eyes. “Has she got a name yet?”

I look at Olivia and she nods at me, giving me the honors of telling him. “Her name is Isabella, after my mom.” I say, glancing at his face, “Isabella Connie Woods.”

His eyes fly to mine and then Olivia’s. “You’re serious?”

“Yeah, we’re serious.” Ollie tells him and he pounces, moving faster than he does on the ice, and pulls her into a massive embrace. Olivia winces slightly but when I go to tell Matthews to get off, she shakes her head at me.

They say having a child changes you. I just didn't realize how quickly things would change. I already know that I would do anything to protect my girls. No matter what it is, I would do it. I’ve never experienced such an all consuming love before. It’s overwhelming, in the best way possible.