#petersta

Suddenly excruciating pain shot up Emi’s 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.

“Emi? Right now isn’t…”

Interrupting him, Emi interjected, “The baby is coming.”

“Wait, what?”

“I’m in labor.”

“Isn’t it suppose to be a gradual process between contractions though?”

Nervously, Emi chuckled. “Well...I was getting them last night, but I blew them off thinking that it wasn’t anything critical.”

“Emi, why didn’t you tell me?”

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. “Well, there were other times I experienced cramps or pain similar to this. Listen, could you please come home. I need you.”

Sighing, he responded. “I’ll need to find someone to take over. I’ll be home soon.”

Desperately, Emi pleaded. “Okay. Please come as quickly as possible…” 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. “Emi? Emi, where are you?”

Emi muttered, “I’m right here…”

Walking over to Emi, he sat across from her. “On a level of 1 to…”

“A thousand, heck maybe a million.”

Shouta’s mouth eye twitched hearing her say that. “All right, what about…”

Looking down at her crotch, Emi swore, “Shit.”

Shouta furrowed his eyebrows wondering what was worrying her. “What’s wrong?”

“My water broke.”

Getting up, Shouta helped Emi up.

“Where are we going?”

“The hospital.”

“Now? I need to get ready.”

“Emi, don’t be ridiculous. We’re not going to a pageant.”

Hysterical, Emi burst out, “HA! You just made a joke. There’s that sense of humor of yours, I know and love!”

Grabbing her purse, Shouta put it around her before he picked her up.

Fighting Shouta to let go of her, Emi yelled, “Let me down! I can walk you know!”

“Emi, you were in no condition to be walking earlier, so how is that option now?” Shouta stated as he ignored her demands. Still arguing, Emi jolted. “ShOUTA” Taking some deep breaths to recover, she continued speaking. “Shit. These contractions hurt so much.”

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.“The baby is coming.”

Walking towards Emi, the doctor examined her. “She’s dilated.” 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. “I’m going to count to ten and as I count I want you to continue to push as much as you can alright?”

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. “You’ll do great, Emi.” Tightening his hold, he kissed her forehead. “Squeeze as hard as you need to.”

“Ready, Emi?”

Nodding her head, she tightened her grip on her husband’s hand to alleviate her stress. Emi took a deep breath...

“1..2..3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10.” 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. “AHHHH!” Screaming as she pushed, tears swam down Emi’s cheeks. Digging her fingernails into her husband’s hand, Emi used it as a way to “transfer” her pain to him.

Wincing as Emi’s 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 Emi’s amazing strength, determination, and endurance. Continuing his support as she pushed, he saw the appearance of their baby’s head of hair make itself into the world. Knowing that she was close to delivering the baby, Shouta cheered her on. “Emi, you’re doing great. You’re almost there.”

Emi continued pushing even as she dealt with agonizing pain. The whole process sent a burning and stinging sensation as the baby’s head emerged out.

“You’re almost there, Emi. I’m 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.”

Grunting, Emi braced herself knowing that the end was near. She could finally see the little bundle of joy that she and Shouta created. “AHHHH!”

“Alright, the head is out. One more time alright? 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10.”

“AHHHHH!”

Twisting the baby gently to get him out, they quickly handed him to Emi. “Congrats, it’s a boy.”

Gently cradling him in her arms, tears of joy streamed down Emi’s face. “Awe, you’re so beautiful. Hello, little one. I’m your mommy, and that’s your daddy. You also have a big sister who you’ll meet later.” Turning her head looking at Shouta, her mouth twitched as she fought the tears. “He’s perfect, Shouta.”

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, “So have you thought of any names?”

Observing their little boy, Emi responded. “Well, he hasn’t cried so far that’ll change. Anyway, he’s been very attentive and content. There was a name that meant alert and happy, Toshiyuki” Pausing to wrap up her thoughts, she proceeds with, “I want his name to meet something.”

Curling a corner of his mouth, he agreed. “Yeah, I think that’s a good fit.”

Interjecting, Emi turned to face Shouta.

Only, he gently lifted up her face giving her a kiss. “I love it.”