Chapter Twenty One

"Laura" -  It's most likely going to be any day now. I think since this is you're first and you have opted for a home birth it would be best to have you on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy.

I hear her tell Turner the same and to make sure I actually listen. 

Turner stays with me gently rubbing my stomach as I lay in bed for most of the next few days.

I make the bed, yet another things I still do so that she doesn't have to, and feel a sharp pain.

Me - Turner, Turner wake up.Get Laura.

"Laura" - Okay lay back and let me see. 

She turns to Turner and that act of nervousness comes back again as she struggles with what shes trying to say. I think she's afraid of offending him, smart. I say it for her.

Me - Get back and stay out of the way.

She nods slowly. 

"Laura" - Do you want anything for the pain or are you going to chose to have a natural birth? 

Me - I, I don't know.

"Laura" -You need to chose quickly, once you progress to a certain point an epidermal or anything will no longer be an option. 

Me - I can't think right now, just do whatever you find best.

I can't believe what I'm saying, but I'm really not thinking straight. I lay back breathing though the pains for a while only half aware of whats going on around me. 

 "Laura" looks again.

 "Laura" - Alright. It's time. You need to push. 

I hold myself up on my arms pushing.

"Laura" - Now lay back again. You need to rest between pushes. Breath steadily. 

"Laura" - And push.

Turner comes over and sits by me. Laura starts to say something, but stops short when he looks at her.

I throw my head back, screaming and grab Turner's hand. He doesn't make a sound and tries to hide it but I see him wince form the tightness of my grasp as I squeeze his hand.

I lay back again, breathing.

"Laura"- Almost there, just one more push.

She looks to Turner.

"Laura" - Do you have anything to use for a swaddling cloth and...

I wonder how much of her being nervous and shy is an act, I know its not all fake but it doesn't always seem genuine either, though more so when talking to him then me. Again I speak for her though the pain.

Me - And get it for her.

I feel him get up hesitantly, not wanting to leave my side.

"Laura" - And something to cut the cord.

I give one last big push as instructed. Laura may not like me, but she's a nurse first and she's not letting her personal opinion of me get in the way of that. 

"Laura" -  It's a girl.

A girl. I have a daughter. 

Turner and I wait as Laura cleans her up and brings her back wrapped in the piece of cloth Turner had found to use as a swaddling blanket.

Laura hands my daughter to me and I hold her up trying to figure out if I can see any of Turner in her, or anyone else. I can tell she gets her skin color from me. At least I hope its from me... Turner and Shawn are both darker. God how I hope it's from me.

Turner informed the others fairly quickly that we have a girl and a beautiful nursery was set up in no time.

They also were able to get a nice warm onesie and an actual swaddling blanket.

I hold her as I sit in the comfy arm chair and Turner stand as we start to talk names. We're having trouble find one we both like sadly.

Turner - Virginia? 

Me- NO! No, no, defiantly not. No.

He looks at me strangely.

Me - Virginia is my mother's name.

Turner -  Oh. Okay then, not Virginia. What about... hmm.

Me - What about, Natalie?

He smiles.

Turner - Natalie? Natalie, I like it.

I look down at our little girl.

Me - What do you think of that, Natalie?

She makes a cute little cooing sound.