Chapter 37
L exi’s groans had grown louder and her face more contorted. She’d managed to walk through a lot of her pain by pacing up and down the aisle. However, as time had gone on her contractions hadn’t just become longer, stronger and more frequent, they were stopping her in her tracks.
Lexi’s worsening discomfort made me feel powerless, but I knew my feelings were nothing compared to what Jake was going through.
As I watched him step forward for the umpteenth time, Lexi flashed him a scowl to yet again tell him his assistance wasn’t wanted.
Seeing the poor man’s desperation, I gave him a reassuring pat on the arm as he retook his seat.
Alex and I each checked the clocks on our phone screens and noting Lexi’s contractions now stood at less than five minutes apart, we shared a look of concern.
Alex took a deep breath. ‘Looks like we’re almost there.’
‘We can’t be,’ Lexi said.
‘Shouldn’t we wait until we get to the next station?’ Jake asked. The poor man was beside himself.
‘That would be my preferred option,’ Julia said under her breath.
‘There isn’t time.’ Alex put a hand on Lexi’s shoulder. ‘Everything’s gonna be okay. I just need you to trust me.’
Lexi swallowed hard and nodded.
Martha sped up her knitting.
‘You too, daddy.’ Alex took a deep breath, returning his attention to the mother-to-be. ‘Right, let’s get you comfortable.’
‘Good idea,’ Jake said. He frantically scanned the train. ‘How? Where? Jesus Christ, this can’t be happening.’ Grabbing every coat he could see, his hands shook as he spread them out on a row of seats.
Lexi grimaced as pain yet again seared through her belly.
‘She can’t lie down,’ Alex said.
‘Why not?’ I asked.
‘The uterus pushes on major blood vessels,’ Alex replied. ‘If she’s on her back she’ll faint.’
Clearly feeling useless, Jake visibly deflated.
‘Why don’t we go and chase up the conductor?’ Brian asked him. ‘He can sort us out with some towels.’
At last, Lexi’s contraction subsided.
‘When you’re ready,’ Alex said. ‘You need to take off your…’ He indicated Lexi’s nether region.
Julia grimaced. ‘Thank God she’s wearing a dress.’
I spun round and glared at her. ‘If that’s your only contribution, I suggest you keep your mouth shut.’
I turned my disapproval on Gideon, who sat there wide-eyed and silent. I shook my head, realising what a lucky escape I’d had. He was utterly useless.
A mix of horror and panic crossed Lexi’s face. ‘I need to push!’
As she latched on to Alex’s hand, he winced at the strength with which Lexi gripped it.
Martha worked even faster.
‘Now!’ Lexi added.
As Alex nodded for me to get into position, I blew my fringe out of the way and crouched down.
Alex flinched as Lexi squeezed his hand even tighter. Using her other, she grabbed the headrest of the seat next to her. Lexi screwed up her face and she turned red as she held her breath and bore down. Finally, the contraction subsided and she, at last, breathed again.
‘You’re doing brilliantly,’ I said.
‘Remember to pant.’ Taking short breaths, Alex demonstrated what Lexi needed to do.
Keeping her eyes on him, she followed his lead.
The carriage doors swished open, and Jake, Brian and the conductor appeared.
‘I haven’t missed it, have I?’ Jake asked, rushing forward.
‘Don’t you dare come near me,’ Lexi said, her voice hissing.
Jake stopped still.
‘No towels. But we have a first aid kit and a foil blanket.’ Holding them out, like Jake, Brian was hesitant to take another step closer.
Awestruck, the conductor had no such problem. ‘This is one Christmas Eve I’m not likely to forget.’ His face beamed as he looked around the group. ‘The wife’s not gonna believe it when I tell her.’
‘Jake,’ Alex said. ‘We need you to keep an eye on the time.’
Jake appeared confused.
‘So you have a record of when your baby’s born.’
As Jake frantically dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone, I thanked God for Alex’s foresight. Not something I’d have thought of, it was good to know one of us had a clear head. And now Jake had a role.
‘Here comes another one,’ Lexi said, grimacing. Again, she pushed with all her might.
With her contractions coming thick and fast, the poor woman worked hard through them all. ‘I can’t do this,’ she eventually said. Growing weaker, her energy levels seemed to border on empty.
‘Yes, you can,’ Alex said, his voice calm and encouraging. ‘You’ve got this.’
Lexi steeled herself as another contraction took hold of her body.
‘Time to cast off, Martha,’ I called out. ‘I can see the baby’s head.’ Joy and anticipation threatened to overwhelm me as I looked up at the mum-to-be. ‘We’re almost there, Lexi.’ I watched the baby make a quarter turn. ‘Yep. We’re definitely almost there.’
Martha worked her knitting needles at double speed.
Jake kept his eyes on the time.
‘One big push,’ Alex said.
Lexi steeled herself as another contraction began. The poor woman looked exhausted.
‘Push, push, push,’ Alex said.
Lexi gave everything she had and as I pulled the baby free, tears filled my eyes. ‘It’s a boy,’ I said, as he cried out.
A sob escaped Lexi’s mouth.
‘What time is it, Daddy?’ Alex asked.
‘12.01am,’ Jake said. He glanced around, his expression filled with pride and relief. ‘We have a Christmas Day baby.’
With nothing else to hand, I grabbed Julia’s angora scarf and ignoring her protests, used it to quickly dry the tiny bundle of joy, while Brian gathered the coats into a pile.
‘We need to cut the cord,’ Alex said.
Trying to recall every birthing scene I’d watched on television, I pulled out my scissors.
Blanket complete, Martha handed me what was left of the ball of wool and I cut two strands.
Tying one around the umbilical nearer to the baby and one towards the placenta, I looked to Jake.
‘Daddy.’ I held out the scissors for him to take. ‘Would you like to do the honours?’
His hands shook as he cut between the two ties.
Alex guided Lexi down so she could lean against Brian’s makeshift pillow and once she was settled, I passed her her son.
She unbuttoned her dress so he could lie on her chest, skin to skin.
‘You did it,’ Jake said, his voice choked. Wiping the tears in his eyes, he looked at Lexi with such awe.
She returned his gaze. ‘We did it.’ Her voice soft, she smiled as she patted the side of her seat so he could join her.
I felt Alex’s arm wrap around my shoulders, and as we both stood in admiration of the new family, I rested my head against his chest.