39
Josh
I feel like I’m floating. The rush and adrenaline shooting through my veins is undeniable. We’re up by three points, there’s only eight minutes left on the clock and we’re running this team into the ground.
My high fades slightly as we go in for a line change but the buzz in the air is intoxicating. This is what winning feels like. It’s like there's an electric current flowing through your body that feels like it will never end.
I watch as the opposing team tries to light the lamp but miss and I get myself ready to get back on the ice. I’m about to jump back out when Coach grabs me by my jersey. “I’m pulling you, Cap.”
“What? Why? We’re about to win, Coach.”
“Josh.” He says, an eager look in his eye. “Olivia’s on her way to the hospital. She’s in labor.” I don’t hear what else he says as I rush through the tunnels to the locker room as fast as my legs carry me.
I’m barely fully changed when I barge out into the main hall and sprint out towards the parking lot where my car is. I’m a mess right now. I drop my keys three times before I get into my car and again when I go to start it. “Fuck!” I roar as I hit my head off the steering wheel.
There are so many questions swirling around in my head and I can’t fucking think. How long has she been in labour? What if she has the baby before I get there? Is she okay? Are they both okay?
I speed out of the parking lot, driving as fast as possible but of course the traffic is at its peak. The five minute drive to the hospital actually took fifteen and my panic heightens. I need to be there with her. For her.
My car hasn't fully stopped before I’m pulling the handbrake, shutting the engine and racing into the hospital. I’m sweating more now than I was on the ice and my heart is thundering so powerfully in my chest I feel like it could explode.
“Olivia Evans.” I say as I reach the front desk.
“Is she in labor?” The woman across from me asks, clearly not getting my sense of emergency.
“Yes.” I say quickly.
“And are you the father?”
No, I'm not the father. I'm just some random guy off the street wanting to watch some woman give birth. “Yes I'm the father.” I bite out instead.
“Okay, let me just check here.” Never in my life have I seen someone move as slow as this woman does. My hands twitch with the need to reach over the desk and shake her but I think better of it, knowing that won’t get me to my girl faster. “She’s in room,” I swear to fuck, lady, “207.”
I don't even thank her as I sprint towards the stairs, racing up to find Ollie’s room.
When I get to the door, I take a moment to compose myself but all of that composure leaves me the minute I hear Olivia scream.
I barge through the door and see Olivia with her legs up in stirrups, gripping Sasha’s hand so tight, her fingers have lost all colour. “I need him, Sash. I need him.”
Sasha glances up, her pained face relaxing slightly. “He’s here, babe.”
Olivia’s head whips in my direction and I go to her. “I didn't think you were gonna make it.” She cries into my chest as I pull her to me.
“I was so worried I’d missed it. But I’m here now, baby.” I say, bringing as much calm into my voice as I can muster. That’s what she needs right now.
“I can’t do this, Josh. It hurts so bad.”
“You can do this. You’re the strongest woman I know, Olivia. I know you can do this.”
“Olivia.” Her midwife interrupts us, “I need you to start pushing now, okay?”
“No I can't. I can't." She cries, turning to me again, “Can you do it for me?”
I let out a quiet chuckle. “Baby, if I could, I would do it in a heartbeat. Just breathe for me.”
She does as I say, taking three deep breaths before her gaze turns more focused. It’s almost like a switch was flipped with how fast she controls herself. “I’m ready.”
“On your next contraction I need you to do a big push, okay?”
Olivia nods and takes my hand, squeezing as hard as she’s squeezing Sasha’s and fucking hell that hurts. I try not to wince, since it’s clearly not the time.
The death grip on my hand tightens as the contraction surges and Olivia begins to push. Holy shit, this is horrible. Watching my girl go through so much pain is killing me. If I could take the pain for her, I would.
Olivia groans as she stops pushing and her grip on my hand loosens. I sigh in relief too, refraining from shaking out the pain. If Ollie can push a human out of her vagina, then I can handle a few broken bones.
Olivia pushes again, laser focused on her task. She’s not screaming, not speaking, she’s not even breathing. Just pushing as hard as she can. I’m completely enraptured by her. Her strength and resilience is otherworldly.
Once the contraction ends, Olivia breathes heavily. “It’s too hard. Nothing is happening!”
“Olivia, your baby is moving.” The midwife tells her, “A few more big pushes and your baby will be here.”
Deep breath. Push. Deep breath. Push.
“Josh, do you want to see this?” She asks me.
I take a moment to think. Do I want to see it? What if it scars me for life? What if I can’t look at Olivia the same again?
“Oh my God!” Sasha exclaims, “That’s so much hair.”
“I’m sorry!” Olivia cries and we all look at her with confusion. “It’s been too awkward to shave down there.”
The silence in the room is deafening, followed by Sasha’s howl of laughter. “Not you, babe. Your baby girl. She has so much hair.”
I stifle the laugh that’s bubbling up as Olivia realizes what Sasha meant. I’m sure if her face wasn’t already bright red from pushing, it would be now.
“Olivia,” The midwife starts, "I want you to hook your arms around your thighs and pull them up to your chest. Can you do that for me?” Olivia nods, doing as she’s asked. “When you feel the urge to push, I want you to pull your legs tight against you.”
I take that moment to look down at my baby being born. On the next big push, her tiny head is fully out and I can’t help but think how beautiful she is already, even though she’s all swollen and covered in blood and inside stuff.
“Okay stop pushing for me.” The midwife, who I’ve learnt is called Marie, says. “This next push will be more gentle just so we can get the shoulders out.”
One minute, Olivia has her arms wrapped around her legs and the next, they’re wrapped around our daughter.
A quiet knock sounds against the hospital room door and my gaze lands on Matthews as he walks through.
“Hey, Cap.”
“Hey, man.” I stand to greet him in a bro hug. He takes my face in his hands and I swear he’s gonna kiss me. Thankfully he doesn’t.
“How’s our girls?” He glances over at a sleeping Olivia and our baby in the cot beside her. He’s been calling them ‘our girls’ for months now. Him and Olivia have become really close since we got back together.
“They’re good.” I tell him, “Ollie was amazing. There’s no way I could have done what she did today.”
“Sash told me how rough it was. She gave me details I did not need to hear.”
“Sasha, huh?”
“It’s nothing, Cap.” He runs a hand through his messy blonde hair. “I sent her a text to see how everything was. I needed to know they were both okay.” My heart warms at the brotherly love. “Can I?” He asks, gesturing towards my daughter.
I nod in response and he makes his way over. The love is shining through his eyes as he looks at her, completely enamoured.
Olivia stirs, her eyes fluttering open. I move towards her the second those bright blue eyes land on me. “Hey, baby. How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.” She replies in a hushed voice, rubbing her eyes with her palms.
“Hey, Olliepop.” Conor greets her, kissing her on the forehead.
“She’s beautiful. Looks just like you.” He tells Olivia.
I wait for the jealousy or the possessiveness but it doesn’t come.
Our daughter is the most beautiful thing I have ever set my eyes on.
She has lots of chocolate brown hair sitting on top of her head and the cutest little button nose.
She has her mommy’s heart shaped lips that jut out at the bottom and the most intense, and intoxicating, deep blue eyes. “Has she got a name yet?”
I look at Olivia and she nods at me, giving me the honors of telling him. “Her name is Isabella, after my mom.” I say, glancing at his face, “Isabella Connie Woods.”
His eyes fly to mine and then Olivia’s. “You’re serious?”
“Yeah, we’re serious.” Ollie tells him and he pounces, moving faster than he does on the ice, and pulls her into a massive embrace. Olivia winces slightly but when I go to tell Matthews to get off, she shakes her head at me.
They say having a child changes you. I just didn't realize how quickly things would change. I already know that I would do anything to protect my girls. No matter what it is, I would do it. I’ve never experienced such an all consuming love before. It’s overwhelming, in the best way possible.