Everything was happening so fast. Stella was three days over her due date, which the doctor told us was totally normal for first-time moms. The problem? We went to her check-up, just like we were supposed to since she'd carried past full-term, and they told us she would be induced three days later, which would put her five days past her due date. We were perfectly okay with that. Our friends and family were informed of the date we'd be welcoming Isabelle to the world, but the day after her appointment, Stella was having horrible cramps that nearly took her breath away. She had only been dilated to .5 at her check-up and she was 75% effaced. We didn't think it was labor, but the cramps got so bad that I forced her to finish packing her hospital bag (since mine was already packed, I'm easy to plan for) and took her to the hospital.


We didn't have a chance to call anyone. By the time she was checked in and put in a room, they were checking to see if anything had changed over night. And it had. Her cramps were actually contractions and she was dilated to six centimeters. We already knew she'd have to make it to ten before they let her push, but she was holding her breath as the cramps came on stronger, so a nurse suggested she put in for an epidural. She was officially in labor.


I tried to leave her side long enough to make a call to my dad and her dad, but the pain was so intense that she wouldn't let go of my hand. Nurses were asking her questions left and right, so I couldn't very well butt in with an outgoing call. Honestly, by the time the doctors came in to give her the epidural, I was too concerned with my girlfriend to care who else was there.


They made her sit hunched over while her hands clung to my wrists. She wasn't allowed to move, or breathe too heavily, and I heard her let out a gasp as they gave her a shot to numb her back. After that, the epidural was done. Stella almost instantly started to feel sick from the sudden rush of medication, but the contractions were easier to take as her body became more and more numb.


"Jack?" She whispered, weak and tired. "I'm going to nap, okay? Call my mom."


Without hesitation, I did. Jules nearly made my hear bleed with her joyful screaming and I heard her yelling for Alex to call a babysitter so they could join us at the hospital. She even agreed to call my dad and dad for me. Thankful, I hung up the phone and relaxed a little in my chair. Stella was out cold, but the machine hooked to her stomach showed me just how strong and quickly her contractions were coming. They almost seemed constant, which worried me. Should she really be sleeping right now?


"I'm sorry to bug you guys," a doctor came in, followed by two nurses. "But her water needs to be broken."


I winced as they woke her up. She was confused and concerned. I was just thankful she couldn't feel them breaking her water. Just watching it made me hurt, and I didn't even have chick parts. By the time they were done, they had to change the bed pad under her butt. They informed me that they'd be back in about an hour to see if she was dilated.


By now, I was concerned as to why neither of our dad's were here. I decided to call my dad regardless of the fact that Jules had called him. In a hushed tone, he told me that my mom had been packing a few extra things for me and they were waiting on the Gaskarth's to drop Liam and Noelle off with the sitter. With a promise that they'd be joining me shortly, I hung up the phone and waited.


"Hello again," the doctor entered the room again. He'd only been gone about thirty minutes, which concerned me. Why was he back already? "It has been brought to my attention how quickly she dilated over night, so to be on the safe side, we're going to check her again."


I nodded, biting my lower lip. Stella stirred awake again and smiled at the doctor. Oh yeah, those drugs were hitting her hard. She adjusted her so that he could clearly feel her cervix. A moment later, he nodded to a nurse. Before Stella or I could comprehend what was happening, five more people flooded in the room, the scale was turned on, her bed was being taken apart and shifted around while warm blankets were prepared.


And then it hit me: Holey shit, we're having the baby!


I rushed to Stell's side and brushed some hair out of her face. She was dazed as a nurse came to her other side, keeping an eye on her contractions.


"Stella, when I tell you to push, I want you to push as hard as you can! You're going to grab your thighs and pull them up to your chest while you push, can you do that for me?"


Stella nodded, clinging to her legs for dear life. I kept my hand on her shoulder as my eyes flickered to the screen. The bar was rising, here comes the first contraction.


"Push!"


The nurse beside her counted to ten, then they made Stella relax. However, thirty seconds later, she was pushing again. This continued for ten minutes, until I heard the doctor say the baby was crowning. I kept my hand on Stella but moved to the lower half of the bed. There was a bundle of brown hair. I smiled to myself, despite how grossed out I was, and went back to her side.


Stella pushed for a good thirty minutes before Isabelle joined the outside world. My nerves were going out of control, but I beamed as I cut the cord and watched my little girl scream for the very first time. She was put to Stella's chest and roughed up, while the love of my life could only hold her close and cry tears of joy. They took Isabelle away from her so she could go through the test and get her first shot. From here, I kissed Stella as they finished up with the after birth and made sure she hadn't torn during labor.


"You did amazing," I whispered, kissing her forehead repeatedly. I really wanted to go see my daughter, but I knew Stell needed me right now. "I love you so much, Stella."


"I love you too," she smiled weakly. "When can I have her back?"

Our question was answered by a nurse coming to our side with our daughter. I glanced to Stella, and she simply nodded, telling me to hold her for the very first time. So I did. I held her tiny body against my chest and watched her blink up at me. God, she was perfect. She looked so much like her mother! I could feel the tears well up in my eyes, but it didn't matter, because this was the happiest I'd ever been. With a tear running down my cheek, I kissed Isabelle on the forehead, just below her pink hat, and told her how much my heart was beating for her.


"She's a minor!" I heard a voice outside of the door. I knew it was Alex. "I don't care if you're not supposed to let anyone in. You told me the baby was born, I've been out here waiting for twenty minutes since. You've had plenty of time to finish up in there, now let me in!"
"Let him in," Stella stated, eyeing her doctor. "That's my dad. Let him in."


Just like that, the door was opened. Alex and Juli went straight to their daughter, to make sure she was doing okay from labor, while my own mom and dad joined me with Isabelle. Mom was already crying, and dad was about to.


"She's perfect," dad whispered, brushing her cheek gently with his thumb. "She's everything I thought she'd be."


I let them hold her, then she went to Alex and Juli. Everyone gushed, and cried, and gushed some more until it was time for Stella to feed her. Once Isabelle ate and Stella regained feeling in her legs, we'd be moved to the room we'd spend the rest of our stay in.


"I am so in love," Stella murmured, staring down at our daughter. "This is the best gift you've ever given me, Jack."


"No," I smiled, pride swelling in my heart. "She's the best thing you've ever given me, love."

Notes

This chapter refused to post right for me. :/