Colby's POV
I would be lying if I said I wasn't as terrified as Julia was. This was something I have never dealt with and I was trying to say strong for Julia's sake.
I was ready to meet our daughter but I wasn't ready to see Julia be in so much pain.
Overall I was entirely out of my element. Of course I was going to help Julia as best as I could but I felt helpless.
I have seen so many people leave this life, and have even been the one to do it.
This was the first time I would bring someone into the world.
When we got to the hospital I pulled up to the curb and parked. "Wait here, sweetheart." I said then got out of the car.
I quickly made my way inside and towards the front desk.
"How can I help you, sir?" The lady asked as I walked up. "I called a couple minutes ago. My fiancé is in labor." I said, trying to remain calm.
"Briana Wilson, correct?" She asked as I nodded. "And where is she?" She asked with confusion.
"In the car. I wanted to make sure she was checked in before having her sit in here." I said as she smiled.
"Okay, we'll go ahead and go get her. I'll let Dr. Moore know you're here." She said as I nodded and made my way back to the car.
"What's going on? Are they not taking us yet?" Julia asked with a panic. "They are, we're gonna go in together. I gotta park the car." I said then went to park the car.
"Oh thank god." She breathed out and leaned her head back.
I could tell she was already getting tired which wasn't good considering how long the laboring process could be.
I was hoping she would be able to sleep a little bit.
Once I was parked I got out of the car and grabbed our bags before going to help Julia out of the car.
"Hold on." She whispered, her face scrunched with pain. "Okay, love. I've gotcha." I said gently, holding her hands and rubbing my thumbs along her knuckles.
"I'm good." She said then opened her eyes after a couple seconds. "Come on, sweetheart." I said then helped her get out of the car so we could go inside.
Once we were inside we were met by a nurse with a wheelchair. "Hey, mama!" She said with a smile as I helped Julia sit in the chair.
"Hey." Julia said quietly. "How are you feeling?" She asked as Julia reached for my hand. "It hurts, but I'm managing." She said as a contraction hit.
I was impressed by how well Julia was taking the pain of each contraction. I knew it was going to get worse but she was tough.
She was going to get through it and I was going to help her.
We were brought to our private room where Julia and the baby were hooked up to a million machines.
"Both your vitals and the baby's vitals are looking good. Dr. Moore will be in along with the midwife we have on duty." The nurse explained as Julia got fully settled in.
"How are you feeling?" I asked as the nurse left the room. "Tired. I'll never get over the sound of her little heartbeat." She said and looked over at the monitor that showed our daughters heart rate.
"I'll never get over his fast it is." I said and took Julia's hand, caressing it gently.
"I wish I could get some drugs." She whispered as she contracted. It was strange seeing the physical embodiment of the contraction on the screen beside her.
"I know, love. We just can't have you slip down that rabbit hole." I explained as she nodded.
I knew she wanted to have the drugs more than anything but I also knew she would hate herself if she took them.
It was a slippery slope and she knew that.
We waited around for a little while before the doctor came in with another woman.
"Hi, Briana. Hi, Robert. How are we feeling?" She asked as Julia breathed through a contraction. "Been better." She said through gritted teeth.
"You are doing so well already." Dr. Moore said then gestured to the woman next to her. "This is Amanda, she's the midwife we have on shift tonight. She's gonna be helping you through your birth in any way she can." She explained.
"Nice to meet you, Amanda." Julia said as I nodded. "Nice to meet you." She said to both of us.
"Is this your first baby?" She asked as Dr. Moore started setting something up.
"First one." I said with a smile as I held Julia's hand. "How exciting! I know the birthing process can be scary, so we're gonna try and help in any way we can." Amanda explained.
"I'm gonna check your dilation then we can kinda get a grasp on a plan. Sound good?" Dr. Moore asked as Julia nodded.
"Sounds good." She said then laid her head back as she got her dilation checked.
"Looks like you're sitting at three centimeters which is a good start." Dr. Moore said with a smile.
"We're in for a long night so I suggest trying to sleep while you can and if you can. We'll be checking in periodically but if you need anything at all, push that button." She explained and pointed to the button that was on Julia's bed remote.
"Hang in there, mama. I promise when you meet your baby it will all be worth it." She said then left the room.
"I need to walk around." Julia said and looked at me. "Right now?" I asked as she nodded. "Just around the room or something." She said quietly.
"Sure thing." I said then helped her get out of bed. I held her hands and walked with her for a while before she really started to get tired.
"Okay, love. I think you should get some rest." I said as she nodded. "I'm gonna try." She said and got back in bed.
"Do you need anything?" I asked as she closed her eyes. "Just hold my hand." She said as I nodded and smiled.
"I'll be here holding your hand. Get some rest, baby." I said then leaned forwards and kissed her head.
It took a while for Julia to fall asleep because she was so uncomfortable but I was so happy when she finally did.
I sat by her side, holding her hand as she slept. I was trying to stay awake when I got a text from Sam.
The kids want to drop by before school go see Jules. Is that alright?
I frowned then responded back.
Jules just fell asleep, so maybe bring them after school.
I spent the next couple hours, watching Julia and the baby's monitor. There were nerves bundled in my chest, knowing how much pain Julia was gonna be in.
I was trying to be excited but the idea of being a dad seemed like a better idea before it was coming.
Of course I loved my daughter and I would love her even more when I saw her, but I didn't know if I was cut out to be a dad.
The emotional side of it would come naturally but the actual skill set of being a father was something I felt I would struggle with.
I knew how to clean up dead bodies, not how to change a diaper.
I shook my head, trying not to think about it too much. With the help of Julia, I would find my way.
I wanted to be a good dad, so I would be a good dad.
Only an hour went by before Julia was waking up. "Hey, how'd you sleep?" I asked and stood up, brushing her hair from her face.
"It hurt so bad." Julia whispered. "I know, sweetheart. I wish I could help." I said as tears filled her eyes.
It was so hard seeing her in this much pain because there was nothing I could do.
We couldn't give her the drugs but I was willing to help in any way I could.
I sighed then pushed the call button so they could come in and possibly give some advice on how to handle this.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Amanda asked as she came into the room, along with a nurse.
"Is there any way I can help with her pain without the drugs?" I asked as she smiled sadly.
"It's hard to take away the pain but I can show you some excercises to help." Amanda said and walked over to the bed.
We spent the next little while doing through ways that I could help Julia.
It wasn't enough to make the pain go away but it was the best we could do.
I just had to be supportive and help carry her through the pain as best as possible.