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Chapter 56
Daniel
I didn’t let go of Heart’s hand the entire car ride to the hospital. It felt useless because she was in so much pain, but I wanted her to know I was there for her. Every time a contraction came, she squeezed my hand until it was turning purple, but it was nothing compared to what she was going through.
I could see the worry in her eyes. I felt it too, but I didn’t want to show it. I didn’t want to show any fear in this moment because I knew she needed reassurance that everything was going to be okay. That was what I kept repeating to myself internally, as my heart felt like it was frantically beating out of my chest.
In the baby book I had read, I barely skimmed what would happen if the baby was born prematurely. Now, I was kicking myself because I felt so unprepared. The baby wasn’t supposed to arrive foratleastanother four weeks. I tried not to think about the chance that their health might be at stake.
Heart groaned beside me as she doubled over in pain. Her contractions were coming faster now, spaced out at about two minutes between each one. Each one seemed to be more painful than the next. I felt helpless as I continued to hold her hand and rub her back with my other hand.
Armand looked nervous in the front seat, but he kept his eyes on the road and expertly weaved in and out of traffic. It was a good thing Heart had chosen a hospital in Brooklyn. We wouldn’t be so lucky with time if we were heading into Manhattan. I could see the build-up of traffic on the bridge, and there was no way we were taking the subway.
“Ahhhh,” Heart cried out.
“I’m right here with you,” I said, giving her hand a squeeze and letting her squeeze back until again my fingers turned purple and blue.
“We need to call my doctor,” she got out breathlessly.
“She’s already on her way,” I said. “I texted Freddy as soon as we got in the car. He filled her in.”
Heart nodded as we pulled up to the hospital. We had made it there surprisingly quick. I wondered how many illegal moves Armand did to get us here so fast. It was just another thing I owed him for. Another thing to tack onto his end-of-year bonus.
He ran around the car and pulled open the car door. I quickly slid out of the seat and he helped me pull Heart from the car. She slung her arms over our shoulders and we walked her through the sliding doors of the hospital. A nurse saw us coming in and ran over with a wheelchair.
“How far along is she?” she asked.
“Almost thirty-three weeks,” said Heart.
The nurse nodded and helped Heart into the wheelchair before looking to Armand and then me.
“And you are?” she asked.
“I’m the father,” I said with a stern nod.
“Come along,” she said, gripping the handles of the wheelchair and steering Heart toward the elevators.
“Thank you, Armand,” I called over my shoulder as I tried to keep up.
“Good luck,” I heard him say.
We rode in the elevators for what felt like one hundred floors until we reached the labor and delivery floor. The nurse asked questions as we rode about when Heart’s water broke and how far apart her contractions were. Heart was in too much pain to answer, so I took over.
“We’re not bothering with triage,” said the nurse. “There’s a good chance this baby will be here within the next hour.”
“It’s too early,” said Heart, crying.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. They’re coming today whether it’s early or not, but we are going to help you through it. We are going to take care of you and the baby.”
Heart looked back at me in a panic, but I gave her a reassuring nod and the best smile I could muster.
The nurse helped Heart strip and change into a hospital gown. She talked her through everything, including the catheter and the machines she was being hooked up to. Everything was moving so quickly, but I did my best to try to keep up. Once Heart was settled in bed and the nurse was done with the wires and the IVs, she began writing information on a nearby whiteboard.
I took my chance and walked over and stood by Heart’s bedside, taking her hand in mine.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
“Me too,” I finally admitted. “But it’s going to be okay. I promise.”