Four years later
Amanda
“I’m telling you, Dale, it’s just stomach flu. I’m going to be…” I didn’t get the chance to finish my sentence, as I bolted for the bathroom door seconds later.
“You need to stop working so hard on your paintings. Just take the test, for me?” he said as he holds my hair up, and let me empty out all of my stomach content.
I washed my face and rinsed my mouth, then I take two pregnancy test kits from his hand.
“I only need one Dale.” I pouted at him.
“Just in case, we don’t need to go to a doctor for a false positive.” He cupped my face and kissed my temple.
I sighed and finally relent to his wishes, I had been having nausea, and the mood changes for almost a week now. I thought it was because of the stress with opening day for my solo exhibition.
Dale decided to give me some privacy and waited outside. Ten minutes later he knocked on the bathroom door and join me.
“So?” He asked looking at the test that reads positive.
“I think you need to get more pregnancy test kit. Maybe five more? I think I did it wrong.” I was still in shock, I didn’t want to let myself hope too much.
“Why don’t we go to a doctor instead and get a blood test. It’ll be more accurate.”
“Dale, I’m scared.” I looked at him. And he quickly wrapped his arm around my shoulder and ushered me to sit on the bed, then he took his seat in front of me.
Dale never pushed me on having kids, he did accompany me for a thorough check-up a year after we were married. But even after that he never pushes any issues on having more kids.
We were a small happy little family of three, then months after that check-up I was pregnant. We couldn’t be happier, but one evening on week ten of my pregnancy I was bleeding heavily which resulted in a miscarriage.
The doctor explained what happens to me, while I was looking straight at her with a blank mind. Dale rubbed my shoulder and kissed my hair. He told me that everything would be okay, that he would take care of me.
“I don’t know if I could go through it again.” I took in his warmth, I was done with my tears. This would be the third pregnancy, after two of my miscarriage.
“Amanda, you’re the strongest woman I know. After all, you’ve been through you deserve this. I’ll be with you all the way. We have the best doctor in the country now, she had diagnosed and said with the right diet and vitamins all will be fine. Now, you just have to trust her.” He was rubbing my back while I sighed in content.
“Look, this is the last time. I’ll get myself fixed if this… you’re not going through this again… it pains me to watch you like this. You’re not even crying anymore baby…” he was struggling with his words.
But the thought of that he would get a vasectomy, and deny himself of more kids just to keep me from hurting was shocking me.
“No Dale, you don’t have to… I’ll get contraception. I should’ve… I’m just so fucking scared…” and with that revelation I finally cried, he sighed and pulled me to his lap and hold me as I sobbed in his embrace.
And his patience did keep me going, he was truly my rock. Month after months went by slowly, we were going back and forth to the doctor. Mable didn’t know that I was pregnant until my baby bump was visible. To her knowledge, this was our first pregnancy and she couldn’t be any happier. I put my happy face in front of her, but Dale squeezed my shoulder knowingly.
Nearing my due date he had become very antsy, he would bury himself in his work trying to pass the day faster. He wasn’t fooling me, I know that he was scared that I might not make it.
I know he lost his wife delivering Mable into the world, but I assured him many times that we have the best doctor in the country, and that I would be just fine. And honestly, nearing my due date I was having the most relaxed and calm feeling ever.
And then that day finally came, it took me eight grueling hours of pain, which I embrace it bravely knowing that I had been waiting for the baby’s arrival for years. Dale was by my side from the start, he was looking as pale as a ghost. But he wouldn’t let me go, his eyes were glassy and he would hug me from time to time telling me that he loves me.
“I love you, Amanda, I fucking love you so much… please don’t leave me… please…” he hugged me and whispered when I was in between break pushing the baby out.
“I won’t my love, we’re doing this. I’m making this happen. I love you. Too fucking much to leave you…” I said hurriedly as the doctor told me to give one last push.
I groaned and scream my lungs out, and crushed his hand and possibly damaging his hearing. But then the pain was gone instantly when I hear the baby cries.
“Congratulations it a baby girl…”
An hour later I was settled in my recovery room. Dale looked at me with tears in his eyes while smiling like a maniac. “We did it, you did it… we have another princess. Thank you… I love you… so much. Oh, and we are not doing this again…” he said as he gives me his kisses.
But then one of the nurses brought the baby to me, she smiled talking to me softly and helping me with my hospital gown. Dale excused himself as he pulls out his phone and told his parents the news, and that they could bring Mable to the hospital with them.
I felt the greatest relieve when the baby starts to latch on my nipple.
“… okay, maybe one more,” Dale said, his voice was a bit croaked. He kissed my temple and then caresses the baby.
“She’s going to be spoiled rotten by her big sister,” I said looking at Dale, smiling. He looked at me, then gives me his deep kiss.
“I love you, Amanda…”
“I love you more my husband…”