Page 61 of The Road Back to Us

I nodded, feeling an equal combination of excitement and fear.

“I’m right here, baby,” Cole said, always knowing what I needed before I had to ask for it. “We’re going to do this together. I’ve got you every step of the way.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head as I grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard when another contraction started.

“Slow, deep breaths, Lyric,” Doctor Navarro said, pulling the stool over and sitting down in front of me. My legs were already up in the stirrups, and I had given up trying to be modest hours ago. Between the cervix checks and constantly repositioning the monitors for the babies, everyone had seen just about everything. “You’re doing great.”

I tried to do as she said and focused on my breathing, but I was exhausted. Not only were the contractions coming on stronger, but they were so frequent that it felt like I didn’t have a chance to catch my breath in between them.

Finally, it stopped, releasing its grip on me for a few seconds as I slumped back against the bed and closed my eyes.

“On the next contraction, I want you to start pushing slowly.”

I nodded, acknowledging that I heard what she was asking. Cole stood beside me, pushing sweaty strands of hair off my face and never leaving my side. As much as I wanted to meet my sweet babies, I really wanted nothing more than to close my eyes and sleep for a few days. I always knew that sleep would be something I would have to get used to going without; I just didn’t think it would start before I had the babies.

I didn’t have much time to think too much about it because another contraction started. I closed my eyes and bent forward, trying to focus on pushing and not on the pain that threatened to consume me.

“That’s it, Lyric,” Doctor Navarro said. “Keep pushing. You’re doing a great job of pushing the baby down. Just a little bit more.”

I grunted as I pushed with all I had, nearly collapsing once the contraction ended.

This went on for what felt like forever, the constant pushing through the pain, only to have a few minutes to rest before it started over. I was convinced my body would give up before I had a chance to get the babies out.

“I know you’re tired,” Doctor Navarro said, looking at me as I struggled to keep my eyes open. “You’re truly doing an amazing job, Lyric. I can see the baby’s head, so on this next contraction, you’re going to push as hard as you can. Harder than you’ve been pushing, okay?”

I shook my head as tears rolled down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t,” I sobbed.

“Yes, you can. I promise, you can do this.”

“No, you’re wrong. I’ve been pushing as hard as I can, and nothing has happened. I don’t have anything left in me.” I cried harder as my shoulders slumped. “You’re going to have to find another way to get them out. Please, find a way to save my babies.”

Cole turned to face me, staring into my eyes, even when I tried to look away.

“You are so fucking strong, baby. You have taken everything life has thrown at you and not only survived it, but you’ve fucking owned it. I do not doubt that you can do this, baby. You’ve got this. You are so much stronger than you think.”

“I can’t do this,” I said, crying harder. “There has to be another way.”

“Unfortunately, with the baby this low in the birth canal, we don’t have any other options. We need to deliver vaginally,” Doctor Navarro said. “It looks like another contraction is getting ready to start. I need you to push for me as hard as you can, okay, Lyric? Push until you can’t push anymore.”

“I’ve got you,” Cole said, squeezing my hand.

The tears flowed freely as I felt the contraction start. I didn’t bother to muffle the screams that ripped through me as I pushed with everything I had. It was impossible to know how much time had passed, but something happened deep inside of me. It was as if there was this strange force that entered my body, giving me strength I didn’t know I had. I pushed hard, bearing down as I squeezed Cole’s hand until Doctor Navarro told me to stop pushing.

We did this a few more times until the first baby was out safely.

“Congratulations,” Doctor Navarro said, passing the baby to me and helping me hold it against my chest. “It’s a boy.”

Fifty-Five

Cole

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop staring at Lyric as she held our babies.

Labor had been grueling and exhausting for her, but she had endured all of it with a strength I could only imagine. Once the babies were born, she seemed to get a burst of energy and refused to sleep, even though she looked like she needed it.

We got moved to a different room shortly after seven this morning, and the twins were both sleeping soundly in the bedside bassinet while Lyric ate breakfast. My parents were on their way with the kids after Lyric asked them to come meet the babies.