Jay's POV
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvpnSFegIX
"Jay" I hear Matthew scream, my fight or flight kicks in and I fly up the terrace into the kitchen. Heart thudding but I barely notice it, my only thoughts are Taylor. Grasping onto the side I launch myself forward, for him to yell like that, something must have happened. I call for my rational brain to plan and to decide what to do but it comes up blank. My thoughts running wild.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9F5Yc1wXh
"Taylor" I shout, she's on the floor, Matthew crouching near her face, Ross the other side his hands on bump. Water on the floor, no blood, I breathe deeply. Assuaging some of my worries I move to her other side up to face Matthew. I check her all over with my eyes, her chest rising and falling. Her finger twitching slightly. Her waters must have broken, I'm clueless. Is fainting part of the start of labour or is this an exceptional case?
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPcQkulhjc
"What happened?" I say to Matthew and he's panicking, his eyes darting from me to her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJswSPcbH0U
"She just fell, I grabbed her head. Ross grabbed her waist" he says.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV5ELePPbe
"Thank you" I tell him sincerely and he looks at me shocked. He didn't expect my thanks, he expected me to shout at him. Im not a monster, he just possibly saved her life. Or at least prevented a huge concussion, marble floor is unforgiving.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriR8dml5FH
"Mon amour" I whisper in her ear.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNwQ7syhW7
"Perhaps she hasn't drunk enough, or she's completely exhausted" I surmise, logic breaking through. Finally. I breathe deeply aware of the others congregating in the kitchen.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSslTO2qHYg
"Olivia" I call out and she appears at my side, tying her hair back. Her face completely changed, professionalism. I always liked her, I like people who can rise to situations. Who can change their mindset under pressure. Kneeling on the floor next to Taylor she performs some basic checks.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3LGMZJn9u
Taylor's mum is beside herself but my dad has it under control. We cannot have commotion, we have a nurse here, a professional. My dad is calm and caring in his tone. He gets through to her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBAO5sgnqa
"Taylor" Matthew whispers and he's beside himself, a complete mess. He's never been able to regulate his emotions, I'm being harsh they miscarried together, this is traumatising for him.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmEubBpZnb
"It will be fine mon amour" I whisper to Taylor in her ear.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95LI7T1I9a
"Pulse is good, a little escalated but she did just faint" Olivia explains and I nod to her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gLxqCaQnr
"Bring down the temperature, I need cool cloths, not cold. We don't want her going into shock" she explains to me. I set to work instantly getting wet towels.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmRcLxJbuM
"Possible dehydration" she says looking at Taylor as I head back over to them with the wet towels. I stroke Taylor's hair back.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN5WgZ6y16
"We need her on a drip really" she says talking to herself.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIMqL4GxMu
"Let's go with cooling her down and then waking her up slowly. Then we can make her drink water, her temperature isn't that elevated" she says with a plan. I like a person who can plan.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4CnI7Z87g
"Talk to her please" Olivia orders me.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZSY3DkEvH
"Taylor" I say softly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0uZmNwQLh
"I'm here mon amour, you're safe I've got you. I love you. Do you remember the time I first told you that I loved you" I chuckle, it was on the phone, what a jerk I was.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryGVhQtZyx
"It's working" Olivia explains watching Taylor's eyes.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzErBCcSthD
She moves to sit next to Ross, checking on bump I assume. Ross looks at her absolutely stunned, he may have gone into shock. I glance at him and thank him for cushioning the blow to her back. He nods at me, pushing his hair back. Eyes wide and vacant.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcjCJmmWyf
"Somebody get Ross some water he needs it" I say over my shoulder. We cannot have him passing out too.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCqizBzhhL
"Waters have broken" Olivia explains.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPx9eh8Bj4
"I'm not a midwife" she says flustered, taking a deep breath as she closes her eyes briefly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzt9FyYepZ
Taylor splutters and my eyes lock onto her, instantly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88xp9qdvkL
"It was on the phone" Taylor chuckles slightly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURTn0oxoSe
"You told me you loved me, and I thought you were absolutely nuts" she laughs and I smile down at her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqumLtT9gxU
"Hi there, I love you" I whisper and she smirks.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ851AM2Y8ds
"I love you" she whispers.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty42FpaVgq
"I'm having the baby" she says and I laugh.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc80pmZsT9D
"I know mon amour" I smile down at her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk83mZpdRb
"I fainted" she says opening her eyes and looking at me.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtejcfCw293
"Water Matthew" Olivia orders him, he's watching her pinching his nose, wiping his eyes. Thanking God.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZCzkascJY
"On it" he says going to grab some water for Taylor.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEsQes5PUs
"I need to push" she says to Olivia, ignoring me again.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxS6Fb650L
"Let me just, fuck I haven't properly trained in this Jay" Olivia says and I eye her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrEajqe7mG
Taylor makes an indecipherable noise and crunches her head to her chest.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFbRXusaEH
"I got this" Olivia says to herself.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDxixRPr2q
"I spent some time on the maternity ward I can do it" she explains.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJKlnnqkHr
"Ross could you get some more towels. Pillows for her head. And" she begins and I'm more grateful to her than I ever could have imagined I would be. I grasp her hand and she smiles up at me, knowing that I am eternally grateful.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD71jQVmjnO
"And a baby towel please, the rest of you might want to give us some space" she says in charge.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pD9gudZqQ
"Of course" Ross says heading off to the bathroom.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3UHa6ThbY
Rachel and Christopher guide my dad out of the room. My mother and Taylor's mother staying put. I couldn't move Matthew even if I tried. I decide it's not worth the argument, as he returns with the glass of water and a straw. He holds the straw to her mouth and she looks up at him briefly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O3Xoc2zCr
"Sorry for scaring the shit out of you" she laughs, and it's typical Taylor to think about others when she is literally in labour.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwxJUfTB5h
"God no Taylor" he says softly. He glances up at Olivia, smiling at her and she returns his expression.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1o36xJlLs
"Olivia said she would have to be a nurse tonight" he says looking at her and Taylor.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLwXCahrQT
"She's always right" he looks at her smiling.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRofGTRMdO8
"Taylor I have to say" Olivia begins.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvXGJ5ECTK
"You've handled labour like a goddess" she giggles lifting her dress slightly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93tsUJSoFZ
"You've been in labour and not even batted an eyelash" she says smirking.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkks8dFves
She stands and grabs the towels from Ross, he's still in shock. Claire, my mother, grabs him and sits him down on a stool with them.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUPnwveGri
"Under her head, towel where baby is coming. Dress off please" Olivia says to me.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z3LsZzde0
"Cover Taylor with the blanket." She adds and then she heads to the sink to fully wash her hands and arms.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZsDpTSD3M
"Darling" I say to Taylor and Matthew looks away.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe4zKKh6yo
"This isn't the first time I've helped you dress and undress today" I chuckle assisting her. Chucking the dress over to my mother behind my back. And finally placing the blanket over my wife.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxwBnY4Mtm
"Kiss me" she whispers and I smile down at her, kissing her softly. Olivia positions herself and assesses the situation.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xuKYwDyOx
"Tell me when you feel like you need to push" she explains. Taylor nods, looking up at me.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBT8VJ2ry0
"Wait for me to give the okay" she instructs Taylor.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP08zVzWLu
"Ready to be a dad?" Taylor whispers and I smile.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFRZBRGayh
"Always" I say softly holding onto her, my hands around her head.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynWiJNnO5q
"I don't think you will have long to wait" Olivia says looking up briefly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2nLFUVfL7
"You're around nine centimetres" she adds.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseEAEPz1Kw
"You're amazing mama" I look down at her astounded she managed to get here and act like nothing was going on. Like everything was normal. The strongest woman I've ever known. Selfless and brilliant.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBULQf6rxmA
"I need to push" she says breathing deep, just like we practised in the antenatal class.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvJfYrhDKT
"Can you hold just until you are ten centimetres" Olivia instructs her. Taylor nods and breathes deeply.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAc4QCMnyI
"Well done Taylor" Olivia says as the contraction eases.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe1aMjeNQI
"Why did I faint" she asks Olivia.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluZ0tmXNLr
"It could be any number of things; have you drunk enough water? Maybe it's over exertion. Taylor women in labour usually stay put, you were fully living your life and taking it in your stride" Olivia explains.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOsgr8OZku
"We haven't even completed our birth plan" she laughs looking up at me.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqqKn627r4
"Our baby has his own plans" I say softly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QwglMoXjI
"I really need to push" Taylor exhales slowly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6WtQheHdN
"Okay, go time, next contraction. Breathe through your push" Olivia explains.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxKF0pv3jt
"Ross" Olivia says slowly.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ9vY68scH
"I want you to, with both Jay and Taylor's consent, call the midwives for after this baby is born" Olivia says.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vDUtGHrqu
"Yes" I say instantly and Olivia looks up at me steadily. She is worried, not about the delivery but about possible complications. She's planning ahead.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSYbMpt5zu
Taylor grasps my hand, and Matthew's in her other and squeezes as she pushes, her head down into her chest.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4uzQJ7qAy
"Amazing" Olivia says encouraging her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvauwMA1j2
"Contractions will be more frequent now" Olivia explains.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxNNoMmgnM
"Let's make use of all of them. Same again on my count" she explains and I hold onto Taylor for dear life. Glancing at Matthew as he strokes her hair back.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSBDzdflrY
"Okay on five" Olivia explains.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mUDldbyxi
She counts down from five and Taylor pushes again. A sound I won't forget for the rest of my days, as she pants through the contraction lying on our kitchen floor. Her head in my lap as I hold onto her encouraging her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbCWUbyfOj
"Babies coming, okay I know it's hard work but think about your little baby, when he or she is born" Olivia says as Taylor rests her head back down in my lap.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q0wtQgI8j
"Babies crowning" she explains looking up at me.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fRuqN9vu4
"Wanna see your little baby" she says to me and I smile. Birth is beautiful, it's natural. It's nothing short of a miracle. I glance down and see the top of our babies head, such absolute perfection. I tear up wiping my eyes, nothing short of sobbing.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIOKWE0Ye9
"Taylor, babies nearly here" I tell her and she grabs onto my hand.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmLUMykoeq
"Again" Olivia says and we're pushing again.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLZ89prRBb
"You're doing amazing Taylor" Matthew says.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIeTnosO5w
Although our mothers are sat behind us so as not to invade Taylor's privacy or get in the way of Olivia's absolute control over the situation. They are both itching to hold a baby, I can just tell. And in the sweetest way, they have been supporting Taylor through labour, something they too have experienced. Birth plan or not, we could not have had a better set up.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd8QCd5d9H
"Make the call Ross" Olivia says optimistically.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLCi3y43BJ
"Taylor you've got this" Olivia says.
Taylor rests her head back down in my lap, I smile down at her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme3Gi2ZU5j
"Is the baby okay" Taylor looks up at me, glowing. None of us have mentioned the pain, she's doing this medication free and I can only imagine the pain and agony that she's making look easy.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2VEAddHsi
"Perfection. And you are the most wonderful mama" I tell her reassuring her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq2nRZbv1i
"Just one more" Olivia says.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3D4TzbLal
Taylor pushes again, as Ross is on the phone explaining the situation. I glance up at Matthew briefly. Seeing the care in his eyes and decide to finally set aside our differences.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDXKk55YQV
"Jesus" Taylor says resting. I hold her in my arms, stroking her forehead. The immense pride I feel for my wife in this moment, the amount of strength she has and her courage.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD1mDCeZuj
"I love you" I tell her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iUcSQobZT
"I love you Jay" she says breathless.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3nnhcPK7I
A small, unmistakable sound echoes through the kitchen and there's not a dry eye among any of us as the baby cries. A small whine. My world shifts, immediately, anchoring me to my child and having not even laid eyes on the baby yet I know he or she will make me forever complete. I stroke Taylor crying as she sobs with me. Kissing her face over and over.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KladyJLko
"That's our baby" she sobs and I nod unable to find my voice.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINGPh6nqM0
"Jay, towel" Olivia says, finishing off her job.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8yrgNtY8W
"Time please anybody" Olivia says and Matthew crying, checks his watch.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNDfHjfP8D
"Ten thirty six pm" he says sobbing, he strokes Taylor's hair back and whispers congratulations to her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIpseX6M9L
I hear Ross explaining that a midwife is on his or her way. I grab the babies towel and head on over to see my child for the first ever time. He or she is whining and making a lot of noise, but it reassures me that the baby is fine. Alive and healthy. Daddy instinct kicks in and I want to soothe the tears.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYLDDdg4jv
"Five fingers and toes" Olivia says crying wiping the baby.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOBCOwCWtW
Glancing down at a beautiful baby, they say that babies just look like newborns. Not like anything in particular, but my baby, he is purely Taylor through and through.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJyt0WenKi
"It's a boy" I tell Taylor and she cries.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOixbsXkfL2
"Here wrap him over like this" Olivia says showing me and I smile up at her.
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkTJXHXxjH
"I can't ever thank you enough" I say to her and she wipes her eyes with her elbow. I kiss my son on the forehead and then I hand him up to Taylor and rest him on her chest. If there was any moment in my life that was perfect beyond measure it's this one right here.
ns 15.158.61.55da2
