Page 145 of Ruin The Friendship
“Don’t stop,” the doctor says.
I press on, screaming through the pain.
Fletcher pushes my hair back, his silent and steady presence helping the most. “Good job, baby. You’re so amazing. We’re going to meet our little girl soon.”
His whispered words give me strength.
When the count ends, the pain stays this time, and I can tell she’s moved farther down.
“Good job,” Dr. Jones says. “If you keep up with that, you’re going to have your baby in the next push.”
I nod, flopping my head back. When the next contraction hits, I do the same as before, finding that last little reserve of energy I have.
“It’s a girl,” Dr. Jones shouts, placing my daughter on my chest as the nurses begin cleaning her off with blankets.
My beautiful girl screams, her lungs working as she announces her arrival. I brush my fingers over her face, tracing over the slope of her nose and the roundness in her cheeks. Right now, her eyes are blue like mine, but who knows if that will change. Her hair is dark, and the more the nurses clear all the goop off of her head, the more curls I see.
Fletcher leans in, tilting my head to kiss me as we both sob.
“She’s here,” I cry, my heart growing three sizes within only seconds. “Oh, my god. Fletcher.”
“She’s perfect.” He kisses me and cradles her head in his giant palm. “You’re incredible.”
“Dad, do you want to cut the cord?” Dr. Jones asks, holding a pair of medical scissors.
Fletcher looks down at me, as if searching for permission.I nod. There’s no question. His tears never cease as he cuts the cord, his gaze once again locking on me as soon as he’s done.
Once I’m cleaned up, the nurses bring Baby Girl over to the warmer to wipe her off and wrap her in a blanket. I send Fletcher over to get some photos of her while I take a minute to breathe. The nurses help me get adjusted in the bed, and when they bring my little girl back, the tears begin again.
She’s absolutely perfect, and everything I could have ever wanted. Imadeher. Every finger and toe, every eyelash and hair on her head came from me, and nothing will ever change that.
“Hi, baby,” I whisper, unable to stop myself from tracing her face again.
Fletcher returns, taking his phone out. He snaps a few photos before flipping the camera and leaning in. He presses a kiss to my lips right as he takes a photo. It’s the perfect moment, just the three of us as we begin the next chapter.
62
NAMESAKE
LYDIA
“Fletch, can you take her for a moment?” I ask, shifting a bit. My whole body aches, the pain radiating through my pelvis.
“Of course.” He stands from the reclining chair, coming over to my side to grab the little bundle from my arms. “Hey, Baby Girl,” he whispers, easily lifting her into his embrace.
She just finished feeding, and I need to use the bathroom.
Dottie and Ron are coming to the hospital soon, along with all our friends, so I’d like to get cleaned up as much as I can.
I also want to decide on a name. We can’t keep calling her Baby Girl, but nothing feels right. Fletcher helps me slowly stand, the baby cradled in his elbow, and walks with me to the bathroom, helping me sit on the toilet.
There’s a different kind of intimacy in this moment. It’s not sexy—I mean, I’m literally in a diaper—but he’s here to support our daughter and me, even if it means helping me sit on the toilet and stand when I can’t do it myself.
He leaves me alone while I relieve myself and do the process of cleaning up and putting witch hazel pads in my underwear. I call out to Fletcher when I’m ready for his assistance.
He comes back in, this time without our baby, telling me she’s in the bassinet for a moment. Fletcher helps me stand, and I adjust my underwear before waddling over to the sink to wash my hands.
“Can you grab my robe from my bag, please?”
