Chapter 17
Avidya
Maybe Travis and Krissy were right—I needed to be checked out. By the time we made it to the ER, my stomach was cramping too much, and too bad, to be able to just push it off as anything typical.
It hadn’t taken long to get into the maternity ward, Krissy was at my side as Travis was forced to wait in the waiting room. The small room only fit one other person, as it was only meant to be used as a check in room. There was a small half bed, one chair, and a desk with a computer with monitors. The monitors had a number of wires that I wasn’t too concerned about figuring out what was used for.
I answered all the needed questions about how far along I was, who my doctor was, and how long I had felt the contractions. The nurse didn’t waste time to check and what I was feeling was in fact contractions, if the bands around my stomach said anything otherwise. I was too far dilated to try to stop the contractions.
I was in labor.
This was not how I was planning my day to go. None of it was. Would I be in labor if Aaron hadn’t barged his way into my home? Would I have come in sooner if I had known about the possibility of going into labor so early?
“Let’s get you into a room and I’ll call your doctor. Give me five minutes. If you need me, just press that button right there and someone will be in soon,” the nurse said.
Everything seemed to be such a blur. Maybe I was in shock. Maybe I had been dealt too much. Or maybe I was just tired of my life being so crappy constantly. There always seemed to be something right around the corner when I always thought that everything was going just perfect, or as close to perfect as possible.
“You’ll be okay,” Krissy said quietly next to me. “I won’t leave. Unless you want me to.”
“Stay, please,” I asked, trying to hold all my emotions in. It was easier said than done.
“Of course,” she said. “My parents have Catrina, so I can stay as long as needed.”
“Thank you,” I said, letting my body slightly relax. Although it didn’t last as another strong contraction hit. It felt like my insides were being twisted together, and not in a good way.
As the contraction calmed, the nurse whisked back in with a wheelchair letting me know that they had a room all ready for me.
“Travis,” I said, looking at Krissy. I needed my brother. If I couldn’t have Zach, he’d do just fine.
“I’ll get him,” Krissy promised. “Let’s get you to your room first.”
I nodded as I moved from the bed to the wheelchair. There was no way I’d be able to walk with the pain, let alone with having a gown that showed off my backside to the world. The pressure down below was starting to draw my attention quickly, also.
Before I knew it, I was in a room, sitting on the bed, being re-hooked up to monitors of all kinds. Krissy stood next to me, holding my hand as the IV was inserted into my other hand. Travis stood off to the side, seeming shocked himself. His widened eyes were open, trying to take everything in.
“All set,” the nurse smiled. “You’re in good hands here, Avidya.”
One white blanket laid across my legs as the nurse turned the volume up on the computer. The heartbeat of the baby filled the room, soothing me at least a little bit.
We were both okay.
“Are you sure you want me here?” Travis asked, looking around with a fearful look.
I could understand. I was scared myself. I never expected to be here so soon. I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know if we would both be okay.
“You don’t have to be,” I answered. “Just stay for a little bit. Please.”
“Okay,” Travis said, straightening his back. I could tell he was preparing himself for what was to come.
“So, what are you to Avidya?” Krissy asked.
“Her brother,” Travis answered. “And I come to bring her back home, but I guess that’ll have to wait.”
“You are not taking her back there,” Krissy said, placing her hands on her hips.
“I can’t, Travis,” I sighed out. “You know why, so don’t even ask.”
Shit! I cussed in my thoughts as another contraction hit. At the same moment, I felt like I peed myself. Double shit. Everything felt warm, grossly so.
“Uh…” I panted.
“You’re okay. Your water broke,” Krissy said, trying to hide her laugh as my disgusted look. “Totally normal.”
“No worries. Let’s get that cleaned up, and I’ll see how far dilated you are,” the nurse said softly.
Within minutes, and between contractions that seemed to come on every two to ten minutes, the bedding was changed and I had a new blanket over my lap. And just in time for my doctor to come strolling through the door. She didn’t take a second look at my brother or Krissy as she made her way to me.
“Hello, Avidya,” she greeted. “Let’s see how things are going.”
“Okay,” I muttered. Could it just all be over with already?
“You’re about eight weeks early,” she mused. “But nothing to worry about. The baby will need some extra time in the NICU, but normal for this early. A station is being set up now as I speak. Just be prepared that the baby will most likely be whisked away out of the room before you can hold him. Nothing to worry about, and everyone here will keep you updated on him every step of the way.”
“Will she be okay?” Travis asked, hands stuffed into his pockets.
“I don’t see any reason she won’t be,” Dr. Fare answered as she slipped gloves over her hands to check.
Thankfully, she waited for the contraction to pass before checking me.
“I’ll give you about another hour or so before this little one is born. Pretty fast for the first baby,” she laughed.
“Oh, God. I was in labor for over three days,” Krissy groaned out. “Wish mine was this fast.”
“I’m assuming you’ve been in labor most of the day, actually. You seem to handle pain well,” the doctor stated.
At the words, I couldn’t stop the blush from spreading. She had no idea how much pain my husband once said he wanted to inflict me. Not bad pain, but pleasuring pain.
As another contraction hit, Travis and my doctor introduced themselves to one another. I didn’t pay attention to what either of them said as I concentrated on the pain, willing it to go away. It was too late to have any sort of pain reliever.
Oh God!
I felt like I was going to die.