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. “He’ll be back… soon, baby boy” she breathed, bracing herself as her womb gripped her baby , dragging him slowly 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, but I’m here now ” 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, Skye.” 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 . “You’re doing great 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, as they both glanced at the screen before Amur’s eyes fluttered closed . “Just checking our baby’s position Skye, keep breathing….seems our little one is settling above your pelvis in an optimal position” . 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 her baby down well. “ He said as he removed the Doppler and wiped the trails from Skyes abdomen. “ Her  small groans  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 her baby , filling her and stealing her composure as fluid flowed between her thighs.  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 “ he offered with an absentminded grin . She brushed his hand away with dismissal , her moan edged with an intensity. “No Ryan, My -waters” . A nurse ran a hand down Skyes trembling arm . “Our water is starting to break , breathe through it Skye , you’re doing well . “ As Ryan’s thumbs continued their work ,  he said with a more alert tone , “Got it, I’m right here.” She leaned into  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 next trickle  of amniotic fluid. “That’s it , baby , 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, our 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 then  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 gaze he replied  . “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 our  baby’s position.” As the nurses hand glid over Sky’s abdomen, she smiled , pointing g to the ultrasound screen .  “Our little boy is  much lower down, you may experience some back labor Skye . a lot of fullness and pressure. Remember to breathe . Position is excellent at this stage.” Ryan returned a weak grin before lowering his head to Skyes ear “everything’s perfect. “He whispered .  She nodded with a sharp exhale , her hold iron-cast as her pelvis was driven into with slamming  pressure  and she dug her nails deeper into his skin.  “Ry-“ she gasped between small moans as her womb compressed from under her ribs , expanding above her hips , as sweat rolled down her navel . She let out a whimper mingled with a shaking breath, the contraction lasting over a minute. She’d barely recovered  when the next one one took hold . Skye's hands stayed embedded in her husbands solid arms , as he muttered a few words through each contraction, his voice stiff from lack of use . As she found a rhythm of gentle moans, long exhales and rolling her abdomen back and forth as her back arched ,  he maintained his rotation of her hipbones.  the next hour seemed like a haze of contractions  that left her shaking , breathless , but each one also bringing her pregnancy full circle., each breath and moan drawing her closer to meeting her son.  As the intensity impinged her pelvis she moaned “ Ry-please help-“, his expression filling with confusion as he kept his hands by her hips . A nurse grabbed skyes hand as she said “Your doing great , and you’re getting close .. if you start feeling the urge to push , we’ll manage it very carefully . Focus on those noises.”