“Water, Henry? I really don’t think that a Pepsi now would hurt me.”
“Water’s better—no caffeine and no artificial sweetener. Who knows what that stuff can do to your body?” He left and returned a few minutes later with a sandwich identical to mine and another glass of water. He sat next to me while I calmly ate my sandwich; he toyed with his. I knew it was just an act to conceal his feelings. He didn’t want me to be upset or to worry.
“I can see how nervous you are, Henry. I…uhhhhhh!”
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” He was back on his knees in a second, his concern etched into his face.
“I’m okay, Darling; it was just another contraction. Get used to it. I’ll have plenty before Alicia is born.”
“Alicia? That’s the name you’ve chosen?” He moved back onto the couch.
“Yes, do you like it? Alicia Marie Fuller; I think it has a nice ring to it. What do you think?”
He chuckled. “I think it’s great.”
“Feeling better yet? I know you’re nervous.”
“I’m more than nervous; I’m afraid…terrified something will happen to you.”
I moved closer to Henry and pulled his head to my breast. “I’m young and healthy, Henry, and I’ll have the best medical care available. You’ve given me the best and healthiest food and we’ve walked and biked miles almost every day. You’ve taken great care of me, and,” I had a big grin plastered across my face, “then there was the sex. How many times did you make me cum? Eight-plus months is more than 250 days so I’d guess somewhere between 800 and 1,000. I doubt you could have done better. You’ll be with me every second and I know you’ll be strong for me. I’ll need your strength to help me just as you’ve helped me every day since we met.”
“You helped me, Nancy; I didn’t help you.”
“Didn’t you? You cleaned the apartment and you clean the house now. You’ve always done the laundry, even ironing my blouses and skirts. You became the best cook I’ve ever known. You’ve cared for and loved me every day. Then there was the sex. You are the most incredible lover. I remember thinking I’d have to work on orgasm control with you, but I never did because somewhere in your submissive mind you wouldn’t let yourself cum until you knew I was completely satisfied…and I always was…and I always will be. Now, I’d appreciate if you’d take my urine then I’ll want you to clean your mouth and use the toilet. I know you’ll feel much better when I’m in the hospital, but no speeding. We still have plenty of time.”
Henry helped me into my car. We had two now even though Henry preferred to walk to school. We thought he would need one once the baby came. How would he get to the store for food or take Alicia to the doctor? He had a Toyota Camry and I had another BMW, an X5 SUV. I had a much easier time getting into the SUV which was much higher than the Camry.
My bag was placed into the back seat and Henry backed out into the street. I could see his concentration as he drove. Henry was always concerned about my safety, but never more so than today. Several drivers beeped when he was slow once the light had turned green. Nassau County drivers would never be considered patient or polite, but today Henry seemed to find the bottom of the barrel on our thirty minute drive to the hospital. He dropped me and the bag off at the entrance, making sure I was comfortable on the bench before trying to find a parking spot. It was almost twenty minutes later when he trotted around the corner, his face showing his concern and his exertion—he was sweating heavily.
He found me a wheelchair and, in a rare display of assertiveness, insisted that I be wheeled to Obstetrics. Ten minutes later I was wiggling my ass at him through one of those hideous gowns. Women are fairly adept at buttoning and tying behind our necks and backs, not that I ever tied an apron, but I needed Henry to fasten the back of this monstrosity. I wasn’t in bed more than three minutes before Henry disappeared, returning with a big cup of ice and water. He spoke quickly when he saw the expression on my face. “Remember those pre-natal classes; best thing to drink is ice water. I’ll get you a towel in a few minutes.”
I had to smile. “Henry, we’re hours away from that. Wait until the doctor comes in. She’ll tell you.” Dr. Groenke came in about ten minutes later. I told her the contractions were now about fifteen minutes apart. She checked me for dilation and told us, “Ten to twelve hours; get comfortable and relax. Henry, sit down before you have a heart attack.”
The time crawled and crawled. I even turned on the TV and was reminded immediately why Henry and I always found time to make love. We rarely watched the tube. Truthfully, most of it was tedious and I hated the so-called “reality shows.” I had trouble finding anything remotely related to “real” in any of them. The only good thing was that Henry was near me the entire time.
We held hands and kissed and we told each other how much we loved each other maybe thirty times over the next few hours. Finally, at six I told Henry to go to the cafeteria for dinner. He was reluctant to leave me so I gave him the scowl I had perfected during his training so many years ago. He knew better than to argue.
He was back twenty-five minutes later and I had to laugh again. Henry had a huge ketchup stain on his shirt. “Did you actually eat anything, Henry or did you just wipe it on your shirt?” He looked to be hurt so I asked for a kiss and when he gave it to me I wouldn’t let him go. My tongue must have explored him mouth for ten minutes, at least. I whispered, “Does that tell you how much I love you,” when I broke it.
“I’ve always known that, Nancy. I thought you were angry at me, that’s all. I’m sorry.”
“There’s no reason to be sorry, Henry. This should be one of the happiest days of our lives and it will be.” I kissed Henry again—a brief one this time because I had a really big contraction followed almost immediately by my water breaking. Henry ran out of the room to tell a nurse.
“Not to worry, dearie; this happens all the time. We’ll get the floor cleaned up and, when it is, we’ll change your bed. We have some clean mattresses in the storeroom.” My wonderful, never complaining husband held my hand the entire time. Dr. Groenke came in again to check on me and I thought Henry was relieved when she said it wouldn’t be long now.
She was right. I went into labor less than an hour later. I was thrilled when I gave birth at 12:04—mother and child doing well. My beautiful daughter was born on the same day as my loving husband. Holding our daughter was incredible, but when Henry took her I almost cried with joy. Then he gave her back to me and went out to tell my parents and Lisa. They joined us a few minutes later. Despite the hour Daddy phoned Grandpa who insisted on speaking to both Henry and me. Once we were done I insisted that Henry go home. He needed sleep and I knew that neither of us would while he was here. I was dead to the world as soon as he stepped out the door.
———————
Leave a Reply