Affliction

“Arrghh!” Kadence screams as Nix picks her up, bringing her to the floor in their living room.

“Fuckin’ hell, what is going on? We need to get her to the fuckin’ hospital, now,” he says, placing her down on the sofa cushions.

“I’m serious, guys; this isn’t normal,” Kadence moans. “Something is wrong.” She looks up with a pained expression and I know this isn’t a drill. I can see it in her eyes.

“I don’t think she’s going to make it there, Nix,” I tell him, moving around to help pull her panties down her legs.

“The baby’s coming,” she says, freaking out.

“What the fuck, Holly?” Nix asks, trying to stop me.

“Nix, I need to check her. See if she’s right.” I look to him hoping he understands my meaning. If the baby is coming now, we need to prepare. He must see the seriousness in my statement or see the urgency in my eyes as his expression turns from panic to fear.

“Everyone, get the fuck out,” he yells, letting me continue to slide her panties down.

“Nix, get me some towels. Lots of them,” I instruct when I see the blood. “Sy, how far away are they?” I ask, looking back over to where he stands.

“Ten minutes,” he says from behind me.

“Oh, my God, Holly. Don’t judge my hairy vajayjay. I can’t see over my belly,” Kadence rushes out, explaining her unkempt lady parts.

“Girl, all I can see is your baby’s head. Trust me, it’s the least of our worries,” I assure her before looking up to Sy wondering how the hell we are going to deliver a baby.

“The head is there already?” Nix races back in, his arms carrying blankets and towels. “Sy get the fuck out of here. I don’t want you to see my woman,” he says, noticing Sy is still in the room.

“Nix, he can help us,” I suggest, holding onto her hand to help her breathe through another contraction.

“Yeah, I’ve seen a delivery before,” Sy says into the phone, ignoring us and focusing on what the operator says to him. I can see Nix and Kadence both look at each other before looking to me for some kind of answer to their unspoken question.

“Oh, God, I want to push,” Kadence screams as another contraction tears through her.

“Yeah, she feels like she needs to,” Sy replies. “Okay,” he says, looking up at Nix “Nix, I’m gonna have to do this brother, unless you want to do it?” he asks, but I can see the struggle on Nix’s face. It’s something between fear and confusion. The poor man is a hot mess.

“Nix, come here. Get behind her,” I order, trying to help him get his head around the fact that his child is about to be born on the living room floor with one of his brother's hands between his wife’s legs. He moves around, sitting in behind her and links his hands with hers.

“Oh, God! It’s coming,” Kadence pants before letting out an almighty scream.

“Kadence, you need to stop pushing. Hold it there,” Sy pauses, listening to more instructions.

“I need to push. I need to push.” Kadence’s voice sounds desperate as she fights off what her body is trying to tell her.

“Breathe through it, Kadence. Like you were taught in our classes,” Nix says, finally coming into the moment.

“I don’t give a shit what they say, Nix. This feels like someone is ripping my vagina apart.” She screams as the next contraction comes on.

“Paramedics are here,” Jesse calls through the front door. I can see the guests, gathering around the door, but I don’t have time to worry about them right now.

“Bring them through, quickly,” I say, watching as she bears down.

“Okay, Kadence. Push just a little, okay?” Sy repeats so calmly that even I find myself relaxing at his composure. She follows his instructions, slowly pushing and breathing.

“That’s it, Kadence,” I say, watching as the top of the head can be seen.

“Fuck, babe, you’re doin’ so good,” Nix says, wiping away tears and kissing her head. The gesture hits me right then and there. Sy and I are witnessing our best friends deliver their child, an amazing experience and beautiful moment right here on their living room floor.

“Hello,” a female and male EMT rush in right on time. “We can take it from here,” she interrupts, coming in to replace Sy.

“She’s almost there,” Sy says, stepping back letting them have room.

“That’s it, keep going, Kadence,” Nix encourages, holding onto her hands as she squeezes through her final push.

“Okay, Kadence. My name is Jenny and we are about to meet this sweet little baby of yours. Give me one more push and we can get you off to the hospital,” she says, spreading Kadence’s legs wider.

“Oh, God. Oh, Goddd!” she screams, making me feel terrible and excited all in the space of a second.

“That’s it. You’re doing great. Now catch your baby, Kadence,” the EMT says as she helps to pull the baby out. The sound of a baby taking its first breath of life is something I know I’ll never forget.

“Holy shit,” I breathe, watching her cradle her baby up on to her chest. It’s one of those serene moments, like seeing love at first sight in slow motion. Tears fall from my eyes watching Nix and Kadence meet their baby for the first time.

“Are you okay, baby?” Sy turns to face me as we step back, letting them have their space.