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“They’re getting a lot closer Are they harder too?” I nodded again I’d barely begun to relax from that one and another started Involuntarily a little cry escapedto have the nurse coain I think you may be ready”

The nurse caether she and the doctor checked He said that I was dilated to ten and “fully effaced” whatever that et this show on the road I concentrated on the pains while the bed was broken down and moved around underneath ” and I could push soon

“Sir! You can’t just co Alex was standing in the doorway and the five foot tall nurse was trying to block the big man’s way into the room His face looked more determined than I’d ever seen it

“It’s okay He’s the father” She stepped aside I think he would have stepped over her if she hadn’t He carabbed my hand

“Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”

With tears inhere?”

“Karen called h this alone Besides, I wanted to be here I want to see my son be born I hope that’s okay with you”

I felt a tear escape down rip on his hand It was a how much it helped to have hiain I said, “It’s better than okay Thank you”

He looked distressed, like he hated seeing ood, especially when he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine When he stood back up, I had the worst pain I’d felt so far and I felt an incredible need to bear down

“Doctor! I need to push”

He was doing so on just a second Vicki, just one more second…”

“No! I have to push now!” Alex still looked distressed, but he put his hand onnoises

“You’re doing so good Vicki I’ this Thank you for not letting anyone pressure you to do so you didn’t believe in I’m so very proud of you”

“Okay Vicki,” the doctor said “With the next pain, push as hard as you can” I started to nod, but the pain hit and I pushed I felt like I was crushing Alex’s hand but he didn’t seem to care

“You can do this You got this I can’t wait to meet our son” It only took about three pushes and he was out The pain was over I was shaking all over andfroly, wet little baby boy was laid across my belly I looked down at him, all covered inas beautiful again “Look what you did,” Alex said with tears in his eyes “He’s beautiful”

“He’s perfect,” the doctor said “A little small, but not too bad Dad, do you want to cut the cord?” Alex’s eyes were a mixture of joy and terror

Alex looked atfor permission and I said, “Go ahead”

The baby’s cord was clamped close to his belly and the doctor handed the scissor things to Alex His hand trehtly as he snipped and once the baby was loose the nurse said, “I have to clean hih him He’ll be back in a minute or two”

Alex was still staring at him in awe “Hurry,” he said He dropped down in the chair next to ainst me I could smell his h his soft hair He closed his eyes and just lay there for a few seconds and then he lifted his head up and looked at ain I saw the same awe and wonder in his eyes that he’d looked at the baby with and it filledemotion that I wasn’t sure what to do with it all… so I cried again

The nurse brought our beautiful boy back to us, wrapped tightly in a blanket He was all cleaned up and his skin was pink and beautiful He was so sht break He earing a little stocking cap and Alex pulled it up and peeked underneath “Blonde fuzz,” he said with a grin The baby had his eyes closed, so I hadn’t seen the color yet, but none of that eous and like the doctor said, “Perfect”

“How h?” I asked