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Laura laughed more. Then another contraction hit and the laugh turned into a grimace.
“Hang on,” Mark said, face serious. “I’m driving as fast as I can.” He clutched her hand and squeezed. She hoped everything would be all right. But secretly, she worried that something was very, very wrong.
* * *
THEY’D GOTTEN TO the ER hours ago, and Laura was hooked up to monitors with doctors rushing in and out of her room, talking amongst themselves. Mark didn’t like the baby’s heart rate, which seemed slower than it ought to be. He’d remembered that much from Elle’s delivery of Timothy. He’d kept his eyes on that monitor above all others, and he’d noticed in the last hour that the baby’s heart rate had slowed. He didn’t like that. Not one bit.
Laura was already fatigued by the labor pains, and she clearly looked worried. She was three weeks premature, and Mark worried about what that might mean for the baby.
The doctors had been trying to see if they could stop the labor, but everything they tried failed. All the while, the baby seemed to be more and more affected.
“I’m worried,” Laura said and reached for Mark’s hand.
That’s when the doctors came in and told them she needed a C-section. There was no more trying to stop the labor, and the baby was starting to be in distress.
“Are you all right with this?” Mark asked her.
She nodded. “Whatever it takes,” she said.
That’s when the medical staff got her ready and then wheeled her away to the operating room. Mark was outfitted with scrubs, all the while his heart hammering. Let her be okay. Let the baby be okay, but more than anything, let Laura be okay.
He couldn’t imagine his life without her, and he was kicking himself for ever leaving her side. He should’ve been there for every prenatal doctor’s appointment, for every day she was assigned to bed rest. He wanted to spend the rest of their lives making it up to her. Mark was never going to leave her side again.
“Mark,” Laura called as the sheeting was put up and the doctors readied themselves.
“I’m here, baby,” he called, holding her hand. She looked at him, relieved, as she squeezed his fingers. All too quickly, the doctors went to work, and soon enough, they had the baby, but she wasn’t breathing and she looked pale.
“Is she okay? I don’t hear crying,” she said, worry fraying her voice. Mark frowned, watching the medical professionals work.
“She’s in good hands,” he said, hoping that was true as he watched the doctor clear the baby’s airway. After what seemed like an eternity but was probably only a few seconds, the baby wailed.
“There she is,” Mark said, feeling a rush of relief. He glanced at Laura and saw tears stream down her cheeks. The doctor brought her by so Mark and Laura could see the baby, wrapped up in a blanket and crying for all she was worth.
“Hey, little one,” Mark said.
“We’re so glad to meet you,” Laura said and sniffed back tears. “I’m so very glad you hung on.”
“Now we’re the perfect family,” Mark said and leaned down to kiss Laura and then the baby. He’d never felt so happy in well…ever. This was exactly where he needed to be, here by Laura’s side, starting this beautiful family with her. He raced forward in his mind to their wedding, the milestones with the baby, maybe even a younger sibling for this beautiful little girl. He stroked Laura’s cheek.
“Thank you,” he said. “For making me the happiest man on earth. For saving me and giving me a second chance.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “For saving me right back.” He grinned at her and then glanced down at the amazing bundle of joy in his arms. He couldn’t wait to get to know this little person and watch her grow, with Laura by his side.
He almost felt as though Timothy, wherever he was, was looking down at them, happy to see his little sister.
EPILOGUE
Three months later
MOVING BOXES LAY strewn around their new house, half unpacked since neither Laura nor Mark had time to properly settle in their new house. Mark was still looking for work, but the race prize money meant he wasn’t in as big a hurry to find a job. Plus, their options were wide open. They could move back to the Caribbean; they could settle here. They were leasing their house month-to-month while they decided the future. Laura, for her part, had never been happier.
The baby cried, letting her know she was not in the mood for the nap Laura had planned for her. Laura made her way to the crib and picked up the adorable bundle of joy in the pink onesie.
“Tiffany, what is it?” she cooed in the baby’s ear. She felt the heavy weight of sleepless exhaustion, but she’d never been so glad to be so tired. She’d never thought she would ever get to be a mom, and every day felt like a day worth celebrating, even when she was at her most un-showered and exhausted.
