Ouch. Seriously “Bump” needs to stop kicking because it really hurts, much more than normal. Mercifully, it passes and I get a glass of water. I sit on the sofa, finishing the book I started the night before. I have read it before, but the next installment in the series is out next week. Nothing better than a re-read of a fantastic book. 

OUCH! Could this be labour? Really, these are painful. I sit there, trying to carry on reading, but the pains are not subsiding. Grabbing my phone, I time the pains. Six minutes. Maybe I should go to the hospital. 

Standing up slowly, I take my phone and book and drop them into my bag that I packed after my last visit to the hospital. Grabbing the house phone, I ring for a taxi. Ten minutes to wait, I carry the bag on my shoulder and open the door. I head outside, grabbing the baby seat from my car and lock the door behind me before heading for the street corner. 

I want Jenny, but she is at work all day. I want Mark, but he has gone home and my mum does not get back until tomorrow. I do not want to do this on my own. Why, oh why, am I alone? I am so happy when I see the taxi. 

“Hospital, please,” I say as I get into the taxi. 

“Okay, love,” the taxi driver replies in a gruff, yet friendly voice. 

I sit in the back of the taxi and take several deep, calming breaths as I grab my phone and text Jenny. 

Hi, can you leave work early today? Xx 

Hi Hun, sorry I can’t. We’re short staffed. Why? Xx 

I’m in labour, well 99% sure I am Xx

I’ll try and get free. Ring Mark. Xx 

Can’t. He has important meetings all day. X x

I know if I ring Mark, he will turn around and come be with me, but he has been busy sorting the details out for this meeting for weeks. I know it is a huge deal to him.

Finally, the taxi arrives at the hospital, and the driver surprises me by fetching a wheelchair for me. He actually pushes through the main doors and into the neo-natal unit. Despite my pain, I am taken aback by this act of kindness from a total stranger. 

“I’m Megan Madden,” I manage to say through clenched teeth. The pain is like nothing I have ever experienced. 

“Megan, I’m Kath, and I’ll be your midwife for today. Let’s get you into a room.” 

“Thank you,” I reply before grunting as another bolt of pain lances through me. 

“Are you alone?” 

“Looks like it.”

After arriving into a private room, I slowly change into a nightie. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I feel the pains coming regularly now. The midwife has just left me to change while she reads my birth plan. As far as I am concerned, all Kath needs to know about my birth plan is the following: if I scream in pain, administer those drugs. I would like to say that I want a natural, painkiller-free birth, but who am I kidding?  If this pain gets any worse, I’ll be crying out for any drug available. 

“Megan, I just need to examine you to check how far along you are,” Kath tells me as she comes back into my room; she then proceeds to give me clear instructions as she examines me. 

“You’re seven centimetres dilated already.” 

“Seven already?” I question in shock. 

Kath nods “Right, would you like anything? Pain relief?” 

“No, I’m okay for now I think,” I reply as I concentrate on my breathing exercises. Jenny came to a couple of birthing classes with me. She sent Mark to one once with me, too. It was the most uncomfortable thing I have ever done. He was great at it though.

Kath leaves me alone, but not before showing me the call-button should I need anything before she returns. Kath also places the gas mask near my left hand and shows me how to self-administer. I just keep thinking of my breathing. Knowing it will all be over soon, and I will have “Bump” here. Lying there, I give in and have a little oxygen, which actually makes me feel a little nauseous. I knew it could do that to you.

Kath returns sooner than I had expected, and she is smiling. “There’s a Mark Reed outside, says he is here to see you.”  

“What? Mark’s here,” I say between breaths.

“Yes.” 

“Show him in,” I reply once another contraction subsides. 

“Baby, why didn’t you call me?” Mark asks as he comes walking toward me. 

“You…have…meetings….today,” I say through yet another contraction. 

“You’re more important to me than any meeting.” 

“Thanks,” I smile a little between the pains.

“Megan, seriously, you know how I feel.” 

I don’t say anything, concentrating on my breathing and anticipating the pain. 

“Megan, I love you.” 

“I love you, too,” I reply as I start to tear up. 

“I have loved you since the first time I saw you.” 

Kath reappears. “Let’s see how you’re getting along.” 

Mark takes hold of my hand while Kath examines me again. I look up at Mark, and he smiles reassuringly at me. Having him here with me is such a comfort. 

“You’re at ten centimeters, Megan. That’s fully dilated. The time to push has arrived,” she tells me with a smile on her face. 

I look at Mark and smile, knowing what is to come. This might not be any fun at all for him. 

“You don’t have to stay, Mark.” 

“I’m staying. I’m never leaving you or ‘Bump.’”

Okay, let’s do this. Push, push, push. I can do this. A little gas and air this time doesn’t make me feel sick. Mark keeps a tight hold of my hand, and he strokes my back reassuringly through the now sweat-soaked nightie. I am dripping in sweat as I follow Kath’s instructions and concentrate on pushing when told to. Mark brushes my wet hair from my face with his fingers and despite the pain, I manage to offer up a smile to the man I love. He places a damp facecloth onto my forehead.

“ARGHHHHH!” I scream.

With each push, I can feel “Bump” progress, and then I am stunned when the pain, as horrendous as it had been, suddenly goes away. 

“She’s here,” Kath says as she does all the necessary checks before offering me my baby, my little girl. I hold her against my breasts as she begins to cry, and it is the sweetest sound I have ever heard. She is here. She is no longer a “Bump,” but a baby. She is real, and she is mine. Floods of tears stream down my face. I don’t even register Mark’s kiss as he pecks me on top of my head. All I can focus on right at this moment is the miracle in my arms. 

“I’m so proud of you, Megan. Welcome to the world, little one,” Mark whispers.

“Would you like to cut the cord, Mark?” Kath asks. 

Mark looks at me, and I nod my head, letting him cut the cord. It is so surreal. All the pain has gone, and I don’t care that I look a mess. I have my beautiful baby and Mark, and that is all I need. 

“You’re incredible, Megan,” Mark tells me. 

“Thank you, thank you for coming and staying,” I say while looking deep into his eyes.

“I love you. Here,” Mark passes me a little black velvet box. I slowly open it to see another charm. This one is a heart. Etched into it are the words “I Love You”. 

“Thank you,” I say, wiping a tear from my eye. 

“It’s traditional to give the Mum of a newborn a present.” 

“Again, thank you, it’s a lovely sentiment,” I say, smiling at him. This is the moment I want to remember forever. My beautiful baby and my amazing man. Both with me. No question about it. I finally have my Prince Charming.

“Have you thought of any names?” Kath enquires.

“Lucy.” 

“A beautiful name for such a beautiful baby,” Kath says.

“Lucy Paige Madden,” I declare with a huge smile on my tear-streaked face. 

“Perfect. I love it,” Mark says. “She is as perfect as her mum.” Mark leans down, placing a butterfly kiss onto my head.

Kath comes back later on, but I couldn’t say how long it has been. I have not noticed anything. I have been in my own world, my special world. Kath takes Lucy from me to weigh and measure her, which I have been expecting. I want to know how much she weighs. I change into fresh bed clothes. Mark pops out at the same time to ring Connor.  

Soon I am back in bed with my freshly cleaned and clothed baby, and I mouth her name silently as I look down at her face. Everything is perfect.