Liam pushed open the door, slipping back into the controlled chaos of the birthing suite, catching Lara's eye the moment he appeared. As weary and ragged as he felt, commitment and determination flowed stronger; he was where he needed to be.
Her hand hung limp in the air as she fought back against the constriction of her womb with a steady moan, her laboured breaths filling the room. As he stood with bleary eyes , his muscles slackened in relief , the hardened with renewed energy. Her hand grasped his, and she muttered . “They said…sev-“ . Seven… you left at four inches . Ah hell you almost missed the birth of your own child and you’re still standing there . “I’m sorry I was out cold. But I’m here now” he said with a low voice, grained with his exhaustion as his knuckles wrapped around hers . The strength in her hold spoke volumes as the next contraction started just as the last one was ending. No more falling back in relief? “You sure you won’t take the pain meds, or the epidural -I just -“ . Her eyes, fierce with determination that cut through his mind , softened as she pled .”Li-help

Here mkre Liam pushed open the door, slipping back into the controlled chaos of the birthing suite, catching Lara's eye the moment he appeared. As weary and ragged as he felt, commitment and determination flowed stronger; he was where he needed to be.
Her hand hung limp in the air as she fought back against the constriction of her womb with a steady moan, her laboured breaths filling the room. As he stood with bleary eyes , his muscles slackened in relief , the hardened with renewed energy. Her hand grasped his, and she muttered . “They said…sev-“ . Seven… you left at four inches . Ah hell you almost missed the birth of your own child and you’re still standing there . “I’m sorry I was out cold. But I’m here now” he said with a low voice, grained with his exhaustion as his knuckles wrapped around hers . The strength in her hold spoke volumes as the next contraction started just as the last one was ending. No more falling back in relief? “You sure you won’t take the pain meds, or the epidural -I just -“ . Her eyes, fierce with determination that cut through his mind , softened as she pled .”Li-help“ . She leaned into the peak of the contraction, her moan of sheer exertion striking at his core as he brushed a damp strand of hair from her forehead “No-just-“ she gasped out, her eyes closed and her focus inward as the swift disarming hit him harder than a membrane sweep. A midwife cornered his mounting confusion as dumbfoundedness as she clamped down on his shoulder . “Just talk to her, she needs you her , that’s all.” No she wants you to trade places and have the damned…well you only feel like a bastard now . Wait till she reaches a nine and they tell her her she can’t push because the -“ Liam snapped out of his haze as he turned , voice rough. “You’ve got this Lara “he mustered the strength to say under the dim of movement. “If anyone knows that , I do”. She responded with a grunt through gritted teeth , nodding head as he stroked her hair . The next hour trickled  through their interlocked hands , a haze of sweat and the primal scraping of Lara’s voice as she near the next centimetre of dilation. “Lara you’re at an eight . Keep doing what you’re doing.” It was like a poorly constructed joke as she groped at Liam’s arm with a desperation he’d never felt as his muscles reacted with a shiver. “Not much longer baby” he murmured, His own voice  stiff from lack of use, her voice raw and dry in the heated air. “I -want to “ As she panted her way through another wave , she choked out “Li -I want to stop” . Is that an option . Oh god. 

The midwife took over from Liam as his bloodshot eyes filled with a fresh concern . If this ends in a c-section her heart just might shatter. The lights were a shade too bright as he rubbed an open palm over his vision. 

“Lara we can’t stop now . Your baby doesn’t have to come right now, but think about what you’re working so hard for. Focus on that breathing. “ , the midwife instructed , as if deaf to Liam’s protest. “She’s nineteen hours in -Give or take but-“ . Damn you don’t know the half of this do you.