The time was here. It was time for their brand-new daughter to arrive to the world, and make her mark. Gerard had waited patiently for nine months, and finally the day was here. It was 4:30 AM, and Gerard was beyond tired, but the smile on his face felt permanent. His cheeks hurt, but he couldn’t remove it. As he drove through the rain -faster than the speed limit- all he could think was she’s here, she’s here, she’s here. It’s time.
It had taken only fifteen minutes since Lindsey had declared her water broken to get to the hospital since they lived so close, and Gerard had called to warn them they were coming before they left. He pulled in in front of the curb of the emergency room entrance where a couple of nurses were waiting with a wheel-chair for his very irritable wife. They helped her out of the car, and he quickly went to park.
He sprinted into the building, and caught up easily. He squeezed Lindsey’s hand as they took her to a room, smile still on his face. To him, this was like finally getting onto a rollercoaster he’d been waiting 3 hours to ride. “Wipe that ridiculous smile off of your face!” Lindsey shouted, knuckles turning white from gripping the handles of the wheelchair so hard. He laughed, and her eyes filled with temporary hate. “STOP LAUGHING AT ME.” She yelled as they wheeled her into her room.
“Lindsey,” One of the nurses said calmly. “We’re gonna need you to change into a gown, ok? Now do you need help, or can you do it yourself?” She asked.
“I just need help getting to the bathroom.” She said through her teeth. They wheeled her to the door, and Gerard helped her inside. He also helped keep her steady when she changed.
“She’s gonna be worth it, Linds, you’ll see.” He said, helping her to the bed. She scooted into the center, and gripped the bars. A week before today, they had called the hospital to tell them that when this moment finally came, they would want to know everything that they would be doing before they did it. Just so they’d be ready.
“Now, were just gonna put these monitors on you,” The nurse said, putting monitors on her belly. “This way, we can keep track of the baby’s heart beats, and your contractions.” She said soothingly, watching the machine they were connected to come to life. “All right, Lindsey. Everything’s looking great!” She said after a minute of writing things down. “Now,” She said cautiously. “This is going to be unpleasant, but I’m going to have to examine your cervix, and dilation.” She said, snapping a glove on. Gerard grabbed her hand.
“I’m here for you baby, ok? Right here.” He said, letting her squeeze his hand as the nurse expertly explored her body. She squeezed hard, and panted as a contraction let up.
“Alright, so you are definitely close to being in labor. You’re 6 centimeters dilated.” She said, retracting her hand.
“Hey, Gee?” Lindsey asked. “This sucks.” She said, forcing a laugh. He pushed her hair away from her face, and kissed her forehead.
“Now all I’m gonna do is give you and IV to help keep fluids in your body, and then you’ll have to wait to finish dilating.” She said. “This could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours.” Lindsey gripped his hand, and Gerard’s eyes widened. 8 hours.
“I’ll give her the IV,” The other nurse said, “I’ve already prepared it.” The first nurse walked out the door, probably to help someone else, while the second nurse stuck the IV in Lindsey’s hand. Gerard shuttered as she taped it down. “Alright, I’ll be in periodically to check your dilation size, so we’ll know when you’re ready to push.” She said, walking out of the door.
*
2 hours of hateful comments later, the nurse once again pulled her hand from Gerard’s wife. “It’s time!” She said. Lindsey’s eyes almost bugged out of her sockets. “I’ll be right back with the doctor.” She said, swiftly leaving the room. Lindsey closed her eyes, and took slow deep breaths. Gerard mumbled soothing words to her, and reassured her everything would be fine.
5 minutes later the nurse re-appeared, male doctor right behind her. “Hello, Lindsey. I’m Doctor Phillips, and I’ll be delivering your baby today. Oh, hello Gerard.” The doctor smiled. Gerard mumbled a small hello, and avoided eye contact. Stupid doctor fucking Phillips. “I’m gonna put this sheet above your legs, so you won’t be able to watch the process.It’s important that you don’t peek. It causes most people to faint, which can, lead to a still-born. Moral of the story… Don’t peek.” She nodded furiously, ready to get this over with. Doctor Phillips retreated to a cabinet, and got one of the many sheets stored up there.
“Now if you’ll put your ankles on the supports, we’ll get this show on the road.” He said, stupidly cheery, just like the last time he saw him. Lindsey took a deep breath, and squeezed Gerard’s hand before following instructions. The cloth was placed on her legs. “Are you ready, Mrs. Way?” He asked. She nodded slowly. “Alright, so here’s how this is going to work: When I tell you to push, push. I’ll count out loud to ten, and when I get to ten, that’s when you stop pushing, ok? Also, remember to breath, or you could faint.” He said.
“Ok. I’m ready.” She said.
“Alright. Push.” He said. Lindsey’s face contorted in pain and determination as she pushed, and held it for ten seconds. “Good, good. Now again.” He said. This continued for 30 minutes, and Gerard thought his hand might break from the enormous pressure Lindsey emitted. That’s when Gerard heard it. The most beautiful sound in the world. A newborn baby crying. His baby. Their baby. Lindsey turned her head to the sound, but closed her eyes in exhaustion.
“Mr. Way, would you like to cut the umbilical cord?” Doctor Phillips asked. Gerard walked over to the doctor, and took the scissors.
“Where do I cut?” He asked softly, still amazed. Childbirth was… amazing. Gross to watch, but truly amazing.
“Anywhere relatively close to the body.” He said. Gerard did as he was instructed, and separated their child’s body from its mother’s. He watched as she was taken to a little table, where she was weighed and such, and about 5 minutes later, Lindsey got to meet her daughter for the first time. Tears overflowed from her face. Gerard was just as emotional.
“She’s so beautiful.” She cried as Bandit wrapped her tiny fingers around her mother’s index finger. “She’s perfect. I can’t wait to spend time with her.” She said. After 10 minutes of taking turns holding her, and expressing their joy, the nurse came and got her.
“Time to go to the nursery, little one.” She said quietly, walking out the door.
“Gerard, think of all the things we’ll be able to teach her.” Lindsey yawned, closing her eyes.
“You did such a good job today.” He complimented. “I don’t think I would’ve handled it well if I was in your shoes.” He admitted. She smiled, and eventually fell asleep. Gerard sat back in his chair and drifted off as well.
When he awoke, his mind was incredibly foggy, and slow. As his eyes focused, he saw medical staff frantically moving about the room, shouting medical terms at one another. “Are the injections ready? We’re losing time!” Dr. Phillips shouted. Gerard couldn’t make sense of what was happening. The delivery had gone without a hitch… Right? What was going on? As Gerard got up, he saw Dr. Phillips pretty much stab 2 needles into Lindsey’s body. Gerard flinched. That’s when he heard it: The devastating, and annoying sound of a flatline. Dr. Phillips pushed the plunger of the needle to insert medicine inside his wife, and removed the needles from her body. He started doing compressions.
“What happened to her?” Gerard shouted in panic, trying to get a better view. “Everything was fine!”
“Heart failure. We’re doing everything we can, but you getting in the way isn’t going to help her. It’s best if you remove yourself.” The doctor said, his voice frantic, yet still calm.
“What?! No! She needs me, I can’t jus-“
“Antonio! Please remove him.” The doctor said. A tall, and extremely muscular man grabbed Gerard by the arm, and pulled him out into the hallway. He dragged him into the waiting room, which was pretty empty. Antonio eyed the nurse. “Keep an eye on him.” He said sternly. Antonio let go of him, and made his way back to the room. Gerard panicked. He kept trying to find ways to distract himself, but his mind kept returning to the dangerous thought that was crossing his mind: They might not be able to bring her back. No. No. NononononononononononoNO. She couldn’t…. She… They’d had so many plans! They’d had a future with their new daughter! So many things they’d promised each other they had to do… Was it all for nothing? On the outside, Gerard looked blank, but on the inside, his thoughts raged at a dangerous pace, sinking him into a deep depression.
*
Fifteen minutes later Dr. Phillips came out to tell Gerard the outcome. He raised his head, eyes filled with extreme hope. Doctor Phillips shook his head, letting Gerard know that they had been unsuccessful. “I swear, we did everything we could. I’m so sorry, Gerard. But at least you have a piece of her. A living, breathing, piece.” Gerard put his head in his hands, and broke down; tears finally appearing. Dr. Phillips patted his back twice. “I’m so sorry.” He repeated and left. Dr. Phillips was right. At least he had Bandit. But, that didn’t help ease his pain.

Falling in love is like jumping off a cliff, it doesn't hurt until the end.