In the dim light of her bedroom, Isla was startled by an intense, sudden pain that took her breath away. She clutched her belly, feeling an unfamiliar warmth rush down her legs. She gasped, realizing that her water had broken. Panic surged through her veins as another wave of pain hit, this time even stronger than the last.
“Ahh!” she screamed, her voice echoing through the empty room. Desperation clawed at her as she tried to steady herself, gripping the edge of the bed as if it could ground her.
Just then, Matteo returned home from a long day at the office. As he was about to head upstairs to his own quarters, he heard Isla’s scream. His heart skipped a beat. Without a second thought, he rushed down the hallway, following the sound of her voice.
He threw the door open to find Isla hunched over, her face contorted in pain.
“Isla!” he exclaimed, rushing to her side. “What happened? Are you…?”
“It’s… it’s time, Matteo,” she gasped, clutching his arm tightly. “The baby…”
Matteo’s eyes widened. He quickly assessed the situation, his mind snapping into action. “Alright, Isla. Just breathe, okay? I’m here, and we’re going to get through this.”
He pulled his phone from his pocket, dialing Marco as quickly as his fingers could move. As the phone rang, he kept one hand on Isla’s shoulder, his voice steady and calm. “Marco, it’s Matteo. Isla’s water just broke. She’s in labor, and we need to get her to the hospital right away.”
Marco’s voice was tense but ready on the other end. “Got it. I’ll alert the staff to prepare her things and get an ambulance ready outside.”
“Thank you,” Matteo said, ending the call. He turned back to Isla, who was breathing heavily, trying to manage the pain that was coming in relentless waves.
“Isla, you’re going to be okay,” he reassured her, slipping his arm around her shoulders to support her. “Let’s get you ready. We’re going to the hospital.”
Through gritted teeth, Isla nodded, her face pale but determined. “Please… hurry,” she whispered, her voice strained as she fought through another contraction.
Matteo helped her up, gently guiding her toward the door. Each step seemed to take every ounce of strength she had, and she leaned on him, clutching his arm tightly.
They made it to the main hall just as Marco arrived, flanked by two assistants who were carrying Isla’s hospital bag and other necessities. Marco’s face was a mixture of worry and determination as he glanced at Isla’s state.
“Everything’s ready. The car’s waiting,” Marco said, his voice low and steady. “Let’s get her comfortable.”
Matteo nodded, holding Isla close as they led her outside. The cool night air hit her face, a slight relief from the heat of her labor pains. They carefully helped her into the backseat of the car, propping her up with cushions and blankets to make the ride as comfortable as possible.
As they started the journey, Marco, who had taken the front seat to give Matteo space in the back with Isla, kept glancing back to check on her. Isla’s breaths came in short gasps as she struggled to endure the waves of pain.
“Isla, focus on your breathing,” Matteo reminded her, his voice calm yet filled with concern. “Just like you practiced, remember?”
She tried, nodding slightly as she closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm of her breath, just as the doctor had taught her in her prenatal classes. But the pain was overwhelming, almost beyond what she could bear.
“It hurts so much, Matteo,” she gasped, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know if I can do this…”
He held her hand tightly, his grip firm and reassuring. “You’re stronger than you think, Isla. You’re going to bring a beautiful life into the world, and you can do this. I’m right here.”
She nodded, though her face twisted with each new contraction. She squeezed his hand tightly, her nails digging into his skin as the pain grew sharper. Matteo’s presence was a comforting anchor in the midst of the turmoil. She held on to his hand as though it were her only lifeline.
The ride to the hospital felt like an eternity, but finally, they arrived. The staff was already waiting with a wheelchair, and as soon as the car stopped, Matteo carefully helped Isla out, guiding her into the chair as gently as he could.
“Thank you,” she whispered to him, managing a faint, grateful smile despite her exhaustion.
As they wheeled her inside, nurses and doctors quickly took over, guiding her into a labor room. Matteo stayed close by, watching as they settled her onto the hospital bed, arranging everything they’d need for the delivery.
“Mr. Matteo,” one of the nurses said, stepping over to him, “we’re going to start preparing her. You can stay close if you’d like.”
He nodded, staying at Isla’s side, his gaze never leaving her face. As the nurses worked around them, Isla reached for his hand, gripping it tightly.
“I… I don’t want to do this alone,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“You’re not alone,” Matteo said firmly, squeezing her hand back. “I and Marco are here”
Isla gave him a small, shaky nod, clinging to his words as the doctors started guiding her through the stages of labor. Hours seemed to blend into each other, the world outside fading as her entire focus centered on the baby she was bringing into the world.
Each contraction seemed to stretch into eternity, leaving her breathless and exhausted. Yet, each time she felt like giving up, Matteo’s presence reminded her of the strength she carried within her. Through the haze of pain, she would occasionally hear his soft words of encouragement, his calm voice grounding her when she needed it most. Matteo asked one of her helper to go inside
“Keep going, Isla. You’re so close,” she would say, as her voice unwavering.
At one point, she turned to her, her eyes filled with both fear and determination. “I… I can feel the baby,” she whispered, her voice weak but filled with awe.
The helpers expression softened, a hint of wonder in hes eyes as he gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You’re amazing, Isla. Just a little longer. You’re almost there.”
Finally, after what felt like an endless battle, the doctor’s voice broke through the haze. “One more push, Isla. You’re almost done.”
With every ounce of strength she had left, Isla gave one final push, and suddenly, the room was filled with the sharp, beautiful cry of her newborn.
A sob escaped her lips as she collapsed back against the pillows, her entire body filled with relief and joy. The nurse quickly cleaned the baby before placing them in her arms, and Isla’s heart melted as she looked down at the tiny face nestled against her.
Matteo heard the cries, a soft smile on his face. He’d never seen her look so radiant, even after all she’d been through.
“Congratulations, Isla,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You did it.”
She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face as she smiled. “Thank you, Matteo. I… I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Matteo nodded, brushing a tear from her cheek. “It was my honor to be here. You’re going to be an amazing mother.”
As Isla looked back down at her baby, all the pain, the loneliness, the fear seemed to fade away. In her arms was a new life, a new beginning, and nothing else mattered.
In that moment, Isla felt a sense of completeness she hadn’t known was possible. She was no longer alone; she had her child, a little part of herself she could love unconditionally. and Dante was still not here.