(ARIELLE’S POV)
I walked into the house, exhausted from a long day at the academy. All I craved for at that point was a light lunch and a long nap. But as I entered the kitchen, a sudden pain struck me in my abdomen. “Ah!” I gasped, clutching my stomach.
What was that? I thought, suddenly panicky. Was it labor? I know I was in my ninth month, but I was not due for delivery until the end of the month and today was just day 15. The pain hit again, more intense this time, and I doubled over. Oh God, something’s over.
I limped to the living room, grabbed my handbag, and fumbled for my phone. My fingers trembled as I dialed Dwayne’s number.
“Please pick up, please pick up,” I chanted.
“Dwayne!” I exclaimed, relief washing over me when he answered.
“Arielle, what’s up?”
“I… I’m in pain, I don’t know, but it hurts so much. My abdomen, waist-“
“What? Where are you?” He asked, his voice urgent.
“I’m at home. I-“
“Damnit! I’m about to board my flight.”
“Sorry, I forgot…” I paused, the pain overwhelming me.
“You know what? Stay calm, and I’ll be there shortly.”
The line went dead.
I collapsed on the couch, spreading my legs apart as my abdomen and waist throbbed with pain.
Please hurry, Dwayne.
Thirty agonizing minutes passed before I heard the doorbell. I struggled to stand, but Dwayne burst in, sweating profusely. “Arielle,” he rushed to my side.
“It’s worse now,” I panted.
He scooped me up in his arms and rushed out of the house. Placing me in the backseat and ensuring I was comfortable, he got behind the wheel and zoomed off to the hospital.
In the emergency room, after we arrived, the doctor explained the cause of my condition after inspecting me.
“You’ve gone into premature and forced labor. We need to inject you with an oxytocin injection to make your cervix dilate faster so you can put to bed.”
“That’s fine, Doctor,” Dwayne spoke on my behalf as I was too tired to speak. “You can go ahead with the process.”
“You have to sign a paper first giving your consent.”
Dwayne glanced at me, seeking my consent and I nodded.
“I’ll sign it,” he said, turning back to the doctor.
The papers were brought and he signed. As I was wheeled into the delivery theatre, I felt a mix of relief and fear.
“Thank you,” I whispered to Dwayne.
He squeezed my hand. “Anytime, Arielle.”
I shit my eyes as the door of the theatre was opened, and I was wheeled in.
Five rigorous hours later, I was delivered of my baby. A nurse placed him in my arms.
“It’s a baby boy, and he’s incredibly handsome,” she said with a warm smile.
Tears of joy streamed down my face as I held the life I had just brought into the world. His tiny hands and legs, his fragile features…I felt an overwhelming sense of love. “He’s beautiful,” I whispered.
As I continued to gaze down at him, another nurse approached me. “Alright, latest mum. I have to take him from you so he can be tended to, and you need to be tended to, too.”
I nodded, reluctantly letting go. I wanted to hold him that way forever.
I was cleaned up and transferred to a room where I had my bath and got dressed in a hospital gown.
Just as I settled in, Dwayne walked in, carrying a bag. “Hey,” he called.
“Hey,” I responded, avoiding eye contact.
I knew I owed him a great deal of explanation, as he had just found out I had been pregnant a few hours ago. But was grateful for how he handled the situation, acting like he had known all along. Dwayne had to be one of the most emotionally intelligent men I knew.
“I brought you food,” he said, handing me the bag.
“Thank you,” I said, grateful for his thoughtfulness. I was actually starving and didn’t waste time. before digging into the meal. After eating, I drank a lot of water, feeling rejuvenated.
“So, how’re you doing?” Dwayne asked a few minutes later.
“Fine,” I replied, still hesitant to meet his gaze.
But then I mustered courage and looked up at him. “You know this is awkward. I know you have a lot of questions to ask, you can go ahead and ask them.”
He sighed a pained expression
appearing on his face. “You’re right, I
have been dying to ask a lot of
questions after I discovered just a few hours ago that you were pregnant.”
And then he paused like he was gathering his words. “So, I ask, why did you keep it from me?”
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