A New Beginning
Suddenly excruciating pain shot up Emiβs abdomen, she felt like she had been stabbed hundreds of times. It continued for a minute, but for Emi it felt like an eternity. Her eyes began flooding with tears from the immense pain. Getting up from her report she was working on at home, she made her way to the kitchen counter to grab her phone. Once she made it to the counter, Emi dialed Shouta.
βEmi? Right now isnβtβ¦β
Interrupting him, Emi interjected, βThe baby is coming.β
βWait, what?β
βIβm in labor.β
βIsnβt it suppose to be a gradual process between contractions though?β
Nervously, Emi chuckled. βWell...I was getting them last night, but I blew them off thinking that it wasnβt anything critical.β
βEmi, why didnβt you tell me?β
Instead of seeing his actions in front of her, Emi knew exactly how Shouta expressed himself. Most likely, he was pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration of the situation. βWell, there were other times I experienced cramps or pain similar to this. Listen, could you please come home. I need you.β
Sighing, he responded. βIβll need to find someone to take over. Iβll be home soon.β
Desperately, Emi pleaded. βOkay. Please come as quickly as possibleβ¦β Hanging up, she laid herself on the couch with her phone in her hand. As she waited for Shouta, she dealt with two more contractions.
Quickly opening the door, Shouta raced into their apartment. βEmi? Emi, where are you?β
Emi muttered, βIβm right hereβ¦β
Walking over to Emi, he sat across from her. βOn a level of 1 toβ¦β
βA thousand, heck maybe a million.β
Shoutaβs mouth eye twitched hearing her say that. βAll right, what aboutβ¦β
Looking down at her crotch, Emi swore, βShit.β
Shouta furrowed his eyebrows wondering what was worrying her. βWhatβs wrong?β
βMy water broke.β
Getting up, Shouta helped Emi up.
βWhere are we going?β
βThe hospital.β
βNow? I need to get ready.β
βEmi, donβt be ridiculous. Weβre not going to a pageant.β
Hysterical, Emi burst out, βHA! You just made a joke. Thereβs that sense of humor of yours, I know and love!β
Grabbing her purse, Shouta put it around her before he picked her up.
Fighting Shouta to let go of her, Emi yelled, βLet me down! I can walk you know!β
βEmi, you were in no condition to be walking earlier, so how is that option now?β Shouta stated as he ignored her demands. Still arguing, Emi jolted. βShOUTAβ Taking some deep breaths to recover, she continued speaking. βShit. These contractions hurt so much.β
Tightening his grip on Emi, Shouta proceeded on his way to the hospital. Making their way off campus, the two got a taxi to take them to the hospital. After they got to the hospital, they checked themselves in and prepared for the delivery.
As everything was adjusted for Emi and the baby, the doctor and nurses came in checking her.
Interrupting the staff as they discussed, Emi said with shortness of breath.βThe baby is coming.β
Walking towards Emi, the doctor examined her. βSheβs dilated.β The nurses came and helped her get positioned for delivery.
Now situated, the doctor stood herself opposite of Emi while the nurses held onto her feet for support as she pushed. βIβm going to count to ten and as I count I want you to continue to push as much as you can alright?β
Short of breath, Emi nodded her head. Searching the room in desperation for her husband, he quickly rushed over.
Grasping onto her hand, Shouta reassured her. βYouβll do great, Emi.β Tightening his hold, he kissed her forehead. βSqueeze as hard as you need to.β
βReady, Emi?β
Nodding her head, she tightened her grip on her husbandβs hand to alleviate her stress. Emi took a deep breath...
β1..2..3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10.β Pausing between each number, the doctor continued checking to see that everything was running smoothly.
Tipping her chin into her chest, Emi used the deep breath she took using it to push the baby out little by little. Each time the doctor counted to time, Emi would get three times to recharge herself from her one deep breath. βAHHHH!β Screaming as she pushed, tears swam down Emiβs cheeks. Digging her fingernails into her husbandβs hand, Emi used it as a way to βtransferβ her pain to him.
Wincing as Emiβs nails dug into his hand, Shouta knew she had to be in a hundred times more pain than he was in from her piercing his skin. Watching her push each ten-second interval, he stood in awe at Emiβs amazing strength, determination, and endurance. Continuing his support as she pushed, he saw the appearance of their babyβs head of hair make itself into the world. Knowing that she was close to delivering the baby, Shouta cheered her on. βEmi, youβre doing great. Youβre almost there.β
Emi continued pushing even as she dealt with agonizing pain. The whole process sent a burning and stinging sensation as the babyβs head emerged out.
βYouβre almost there, Emi. Iβm going to count to ten two more times, and then we should be done with this part. Ready? Okay. 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10.β
Grunting, Emi braced herself knowing that the end was near. She could finally see the little bundle of joy that she and Shouta created. βAHHHH!β
βAlright, the head is out. One more time alright? 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10.β
βAHHHHH!β
Twisting the baby gently to get him out, they quickly handed him to Emi. βCongrats, itβs a boy.β
Gently cradling him in her arms, tears of joy streamed down Emiβs face. βAwe, youβre so beautiful. Hello, little one. Iβm your mommy, and thatβs your daddy. You also have a big sister who youβll meet later.β Turning her head looking at Shouta, her mouth twitched as she fought the tears. βHeβs perfect, Shouta.β
Overwhelmed by everything that happened, Shouta was speechless. The experience was one of the best, but one of the worst in his life. Seeing Emi in so much pain was terrifying, but seeing the tiny person him and Emi created was an indescribable feeling. Grinning at Emi and their little boy, Shouta asked, βSo have you thought of any names?β
Observing their little boy, Emi responded. βWell, he hasnβt cried so far thatβll change. Anyway, heβs been very attentive and content. There was a name that meant alert and happy, Toshiyukiβ Pausing to wrap up her thoughts, she proceeds with, βI want his name to meet something.β
Curling a corner of his mouth, he agreed. βYeah, I think thatβs a good fit.β
Interjecting, Emi turned to face Shouta.
Only, he gently lifted up her face giving her a kiss. βI love it.β
Returning her attention to her little one, Emi spoke softly.βToshiyuki, youβre going to receive so much love and support from us and yet I have no idea where life is going to take you. Itβs only just begun.β










