Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Rosario
Three months later
July in the Alps seems to be just as hot as the summers in the Caribbean. Or maybe it’s the hormones. I fan myself as I lie on the bed with a wet towel, the only thing covering me. I’ve been restricted to bed rest since I’ve been having dizzy spells from my blood pressure dropping suddenly.
Sunny assures me everything is fine and that my blood work is all good. The baby is as active as ever, head down and ready to rock and roll when it’s go time. Her words, not mine. She’s been stopping in for a week now, and I look forward to seeing her.
The nursery is finally done, and I’ve been able to relax knowing we’re as prepared as possible. Apparently, that means my nesting period is over, and the baby might arrive early.
“Feeling better? I can bring you some ice chips.” Bruno has been a saint.
He never complains and has been indulging my every crazy craving, including but not limited to gelato, lobster mac and cheese, and watermelon at three in the morning.
“No, I still feel like I’m burning alive. It feels like the heat is on in hell.” He chuckles and touckes me thigh.
“I’ll drop the air conditioning down to sixty-five.” I smile, knowing it’s not going to do a damn thing for my internal temp, which seems to be set on lava.
The urge to pee hits me suddenly, and I move to get up, making the towel gush water all over the floor.
“Dart,” I sigh cause bending over to pick it up is so not happening.
I lost the ability to see my feet weeks ago, and if I tilt too far over, I’ll faint. I steady myself and then think better of it. I don’t want to slip on the water on the floor.
“Bruno! I need to pee.” I call out but get no response.
“Bruno!” Nothing.
I frown, reaching for my robe and securing it above my belly. I pin up my hair so it’s not on my neck and slowly lower myself off the bed, making sure I keep a hand on the headboard for balance. Once I’m standing, I let my weight settle on my feet before I take a step.
I make it to the bathroom and pee, then go in search of my husband.
I find the front door wide open and no sign of Bruno. I grab the gun he forced me to learn how to use and the new satellite phone. I hit one on the speed dial and hear Bruno’s phone ringing on the kitchen counter.
Stepping outside, I raise the gun and turn the corner, coming face to face with my husband.
“WOO! What are you doing out of bed?” He takes the gun away as I clutch my belly.
“I had to pee and called out to you. God, you scared me.” He hugs me tightly.
“I’m sorry. I had to change the filter in the air compressor. The house wasn’t cooling down even though I had it set to freezer for you. For once, it wasn’t your hormones. Come on, let’s get you back to, oh shit.” A splash hits the deck and soaks our feet.
“Oh my,” I whisper in shock as I watch the fluid roll away.
“I think your water just broke.” I nod, dumbfounded.
“Looks like that’s a good bet. Okay, you call Sunny. I’m going to clean up and get back in bed.” He nods and starts rattling off lists of things that he needs to do, but I barely pay attention, waiting for the first pains of labor to hit me.
An hour goes by, then two. I put on a movie and relax, falling asleep for several hours, waking up to a few contractions, but nothing regular. The baby wiggles and kicks, and before we know it, half a day has gone by, and my labor hasn’t progressed.
“Sunny, is this normal?” I question as she checks my cervix again.
“It could be. No labor is the same. Still only three centimeters. Let’s get you up on the ball. Let gravity do its thing.” I eye the large inflatable workout ball with trepidation.
I don’t have the best balance, and Bruno must sense my apprehension.
“I’ll be sitting right behind you.” I sigh and nod.
A few hours later, Sunny calls it.
“It’s offically time to go to the hospital, folks. It isn’t safe to wait too long after the membranes rupture.” I start to shake and start sobbing.
“No, I won’t go. They try to take the baby again. Bruno, I can’t!” Sunnt frowns as Brunno tries to calm me.
“We need to compromise here, people. If you need a C-section, we need to be closer to a hospital than here. You can try one more option, but if you don’t dilate, then we have to go.” He nods as he rubs my lower back.
A contraction hits me, and I wince, grabbing his arm for support.
“I think the baby agrees too. That one was strong.” Sunny laughs as they both help me over back to the bed.
“I’m going to start an IV of oxytocin. You’ll need to stay on the fetal monitor in bed. It’ll limit your movement.” I frown but accept the terms if it means I get to stay in the safety of our home.
They’re outside waiting to take the baby. I can feel it in my soul.
I won’t let them take my baby.