Her cheeks were flushed with warmth, glowing under the stringent lights of the birthing suite, a slick layer of perspiration shining on her abdomen. Her skin radiated heat, her breasts full and tender, and her body was filled with an energy unlike the one that coursed through her veins when she conceived her baby. As she closed her eyes, savoring the respite between contractions, she was transported back to that moment . Skye closed her eyes , taking slow breaths as she concentrated on the twinges of pain and pressure melding between her hips , her skin pulled taught from inside. “Here we…go” she breathed, bracing herself as her womb hugged her baby , dragging him or her downward, eliciting a soft moan of exertion. As she pushed back against the overwhelming peak , she embraced her child’s decent , her back arching and her fingers circling her hipbones. As she labored alone , it was just her and her baby as nurses and beeping machines created an orchestrated chaos around her. The counter pressure of her own hands was delicate , precise , but her mind drifted to Ryan’s rough voice in her ear as her muscles slowly relaxed , and she sank back into the pillows, blissful reprieve bathing her. Then he caught her eye as he entered the room, his dishevelled state revealing the rest he’d found in the corridor . “Ryan-“ she gasped out , desperate to connect before the next surge stole her attention . “I’m sorry I was out cold” he muttered as a nurse drifted past him , and a monitor beeped from the electrode on Skye’s oblique. “Welcome back , Dad “ a nurse smiled as she filled in . “She’s doing well , but it’s time to check her dilation .” Positioning himself behind Skye , Ryan nodded as he stroked her hair . “Five inches. Still some time to go. Keep doing what you’re doing.” As Skye leaned into the next contraction , his hands, broad and firm , offered an anchoring strength in contract to the exactness of her own touch . His calloused fingers rotated on her hipbones he had done when her contractions first started. She let out a controlled moan, lacing the air with her effort to stay on top of the pressure . “Nice work baby” he said, voice low and hoarse in the din of medical staff. Skye gasped at the cool gel as a doctor ran the ball of an ultrasound Doppler over her tightening skin. “Just checking baby’s position Skye, keep breathing….seems our little one is setting above your pelvis nicely” . His voice was a distraction that she barely heard as she worked on riding the peak with inward focus . “Ryan, let her know she’s moving baby down well. “ He said as he removed the Doppler. “ Skyes small grains spilled over his voice as the contraction eased , leaving her breathless . As Ryan kept a hand splayed on her abdomen , she rode out wave after wave , her breaths and moans weaving together . Finally, she felt a shift, the heavy weight of baby , filling her and stealing her composure as fluid escaped her. It was a new sensation , and demanded adjusting to as her breathing grew shallow. “Ry-my -water-“ . His eyes , filled with bloodshot exhaustion, wandered to a nearby water bottle , “here you go baby “ . She brushed his hand away with dismissal , her moan edged with an intensity. “My -water” . A nurse ran a hand down Skyes trembling arm . “Our water is starting to break , breathe through it , you’re doing well . “ As Ryan’s thumbs continued their work , she went with the new , definite expansion of her baby’s head as her womb both drew closer and opened wider at once, flooding her with a mix of brand new sensations as she moaned out the need twinkle of amniotic fluid. “That’s it , Skye, you’ve got this .” Ryan muttered , as she grabbed his hand and pressed it even harder against her abdomen. His silent support helped her navigate the contrasting sensations as she entered transition, and a nurse checked her dilation . “Sky, we’re at a seven, baby’s head will start coming through your pelvis and things will get a lot more intense . I need you to keep up that breathing for me.” The nurse offered Ryan a concerned glance. “Did you rest earlier, ready to help her through this?” As Ryan rubbed a hand over his eyes , the arenaline making him awake with a worry in his eyes . “I hope so..I slept quite well but. Skye are you sure you don’t want the pain meds. Or the epidural. I just-” . As Sky lay panting against his chest , her hands curled around his biceps as she closed her eyes and shook her head, seeming to only process half of what he’d said . As she let out a deep moan and her grasp twisted in his jacket , the nurse reassured . “Your being here is what she’ll need the most .Just keep talking her through it. Now let’s feel baby’s position.” As the nurses hand glid over Sky’s abdomen, she smiled , pointing g to the ultrasound screen .  “Baby is  much lower down, you may experience some back labor Skye . a lot of fullness and pressure. Remember to breathe . Position is optimal.” Ryan returned a weak grin before lowering his head to Skyes ear “everything’s perfect. “ She nodded with a sharp exhale , her hold iron-cast as her pelvis was driven into and she dug her nails deeper into his skin.