Page 47 of The Hunted Wife

“She said she’ll check with the doctor.”

Millie patted his hand. “It’s going to be okay. I’m sure of it.”

“Milena Sullivan.” A man holding a purple folder stood at the doorway.

Adam’s head snapped up. “That’s us.” He stood and started pushing Millie toward the double doors. He followed the man wearing scrubs to a curtained-off room.

“Please get into the gown and tie it in front, then get onto the bed. Can you do that? Or do you need my help?” His voice was soft and gentle.

“I’ll help her,” said Adam.

She stood.

Adam stripped her, put the gown on her and then lifted her onto the bed and adjusted her gown so it was closed as much as possible over her belly. Then he pushed the wheelchair just outside the curtain.

“My name is Kevin Rogers. I’m a nurse practitioner here. I’ll take your vitals and then the doctor will be in to see you. How far apart are the contractions now?”

“Less than two minutes,” answered Adam.

“Okay. Let me get the doctor in here and I’ll take your vitals while she talks to you. I believe we need to get you to the birthing facility ASAP.” Kevin left the room pulling the curtain behind him.

Less than a minute later, he returned with a woman.

She had bright red hair and the bluest eyes Millie had ever seen. She stepped up to Millie’s left side. “I’m Doctor Anderson. I’m the OB-GYN on duty today. Let me take a look at you and then we’ll go from there.”

Millie hadn’t had time to change her underwear and they were still wet which caused her cheeks to heat.

“First let’s get this underwear off. I’ll have a much clearer picture without them.” She chuckled.

Millie did, too. She was very happy this stranger doctor had a good sense of humor. It helped to put her at ease. That was one of the things she liked about Dr. Brainerd, as well.

Adam grumbled. He was panicked and wouldn’t let Millie’s hand go.

Once the offending garment was off the doctor began her exam. “Milena?—”

“Millie. I go by Millie.”

“Very well, Millie. Raise your knees and open them wide.”

She did as asked, using her hands to lift her knees because her stomach muscles were otherwise occupied.

Dr. Anderson looked at Millie. “Well, you’re dilated to nine centimeters. I’m sending you to a birthing room immediately and then I’ll be up.”

I hope I don’t end up giving birth in the elevator.

Twenty minutes later, in their private birthing room, Dr. Anderson was at the bottom of the bed watching as Millie pushed.

The baby was almost there just a little more pushing was needed. She didn’t know if she had it in her, she was so tired.

Dr. Anderson looked around Millie’s knees. “Millie, I want you to push now as if your life depended on it. Push as hard as you can.”

Millie bore down as she held onto Adam’s hands, squeezing them, knowing she was leaving nail marks in his palm and she didn’t care.

The doctor popped her head up and looked at Millie. “That’s good. Just a little more.”

Millie felt the baby’s head first. Then she felt the doctor turn the baby so she could ease the shoulders out one at a time. Then she felt the baby slide from her body. “What do we have?”

“You have a beautiful little girl.” The doctor lifted the baby and placed her on Millie’s chest for about thirty minutes before she cut the umbilical cord.