Chapter 9 #3
“Stop,” he said to his reflection in the mirror.
“Just stop and get your ass back out there.” Other than the day P.J.
arrived, Joe had never been more terrified in his life than he was right in that moment.
“Please, God, if you’re listening, please help me.
Help Janey and the baby. Please don’t let anything happen to either of them.
” He bolted from the men’s room, moving faster when he heard Janey screaming.
Big Mac had returned from the bridge. “What the hell are we going to do?” he asked.
“We’re going to have a baby,” Joe replied.
“Here?”
“Right here.” To the people who’d gathered around them, Joe said, “Thanks so much for your concern, but if you wouldn’t mind giving us some privacy, we’d appreciate it.”
With mumbled words of good luck and Godspeed, the small group of passengers cleared out of the cabin area, leaving Joe and Janey and her parents.
“Mac,” Linda said, “go get some air. Right now. We don’t need another emergency when you pass out and smack your head. Go.”
“Princess…” he said, his tone full of agony.
“I’m okay, Dad. Go get your grandson and keep breathing.”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.” She grabbed Joe’s hand, and the fierce look of concentration on her face filled him with pride. They hadn’t gotten the chance to do this last time, and her determination went a long way toward defusing his panic. “I want to push.”
“Wait for the contraction,” her mother said. “As soon as you feel it starting, push your way through it.”
Joe knelt between her legs, his hands shaking so hard, he feared he would drop the baby. His crewmember had brought stacks of clean linen from the concession stand, as well as a first aid kit. Was there anything in there that could help them now? He doubted it.
Janey… She had found her center. Her eyes were closed, her cheeks rosy, her breathing steady and her lips puckered as if she were about to receive a kiss.
She’d never looked more beautiful to him, as he continued to pray for the safety of her and their baby.
He made bargains with God, vowing to never again ask for anything for himself in exchange for Janey’s safety and that of the baby.
In the background, he heard P.J. crying, but Big Mac would take care of him.
“Here we go,” Janey said.
One minute she was Zen Janey, the next she was screaming her head off and terrifying her husband.
Linda supported Janey from behind as she pushed as hard as she could.
More of the baby’s head appeared and then disappeared just as quickly when Janey sagged against her mother.
“So close, babe. I could see the top of the baby’s head.”
“Hurts,” Janey said, whimpering.
“You’re so strong,” Joe said. “I know you can do it.”
Before his eyes, she gathered herself again, marshaling the strength and fortitude she needed to finish the job. He’d never been prouder of her.
The contractions came closer together. Janey pushed and screamed through each one, but the baby didn’t come.
Joe’s gaze met Linda’s, and he could see her worry and fear, which fed his.
“Janey,” he said, waiting for her eyes to open. “We gotta get that baby out. The next one, let’s go all in. Everything you’ve got. Can you do that?”
“I have been doing that,” she said, whimpering again. “It’s not working.”
“You’re so close. One huge push is going to finish the job. You’ve got this, babe. I’m so proud of you, and I love you so much. I can’t wait to meet our baby.” He reached for her. “Hold my hands as tight as you can. Let’s do it together.”
“Only if you let go when the baby comes,” she said, breathing hard.
“I will. Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to either of you.” That was a promise he hoped he could keep.
She took his hands and held on so tight, his fingers quickly went numb from the lack of circulation, but he paid that no mind as he helped her through the next contraction.
Janey screamed in agony that broke his heart. She pushed so hard that her face turned bright red and she nearly broke the bones in his hand.
“Don’t stop, sweetheart. Keep pushing! Here it comes!”
She released his hands in time for him to catch the baby as it emerged slimy and bloody and the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Big eyes popped open, and Joe fell flat on his face in love for the third time in his life.
“Too quiet,” Janey said, gasping. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Joe said, wrapping the baby in the cloths and a beach towel someone had given them so she wouldn’t get cold. “She’s absolutely perfect.”
“She?”
“She,” he said, meeting her gaze through a flood of tears. “We have ourselves a daughter.”
With Linda still propping her up from behind and the cord still attached to the baby, Joe gently deposited the baby on her mother’s chest.
“Hi there,” Janey said, taking a visual inventory of her daughter’s face and then dragging her index finger over the baby’s cheek. “I wasn’t expecting to meet you for a while.”
Overwhelmed by the emotional punch, Joe dropped his head as tears ran down his face.
“Well done, you two,” Linda said, her eyes full of tears.
“That was all her,” Joe said, wiping the dampness from his face.
“That was all us,” Janey said, smiling at him, her eyes full of joy and satisfaction. “And you’re getting that thing snipped, you hear me?”
“As soon as possible,” Joe said, more thankful than he’d ever been in his life.