When You Fall Asleep Tonight (Sequel To My Understandings)

-Austin-
After running down the hall and finding Dr. Lee. They admitted Ellie into a different room where she will be giving birth. It scared me because Ellie is already skinny and the bump was half her weight, but she looked so pale and sweaty, I thought the thing was gonna rip from her body.

“Well, we have some bad news.” My heart began racing as I stared into the doctors eyes. “It looks like she’s been miss diagnosed. She’s actually nine months pregnant and right on time.” I knit my eyebrows together. “Her bump is abnormally large for seven months and when we did an emergency ultrasound, the baby is fully developed. It was a simple mistake. Giving that she’s so thin, what was mistaken for the baby was actually her stomach lining.” My mouth made an “o” shape. “She’s five centimeters dilated and has the choice of an epidural. But she declined.” I nod.

“She wants a natural birth.” I say. He nods and writes something on the clipboard. “What did you do with Vivian?” I ask.

“She gave birth to Victor naturally. You see, when the pain is too much for the mother to bare, we usually set her in a hot tub, a bathtub full of hot water and it usually calms the nerves and hormones down and it speeds up the dilation. But since this baby is going to be on time, we’re going to reel her in there now.” I nod, but continued to ask questions.

“What did she do with Mike?” I asked.

“With Michael, she took the epidural. By their second child, if there is a second, they’re usually smart enough to use an epidural, unless they know they can dual the pain. This is your first child?” he asked. I nod my head. “Well, since she is dilating pretty fast, we’re going to see how much pain she is in to determine if she can be put in the tub or not.” He checks the time. “It’s ten now. It can be a while before she dilates anymore.” I nod and thank him before walking in her room. Her mom was sitting on the edge of her bed, holding her hand.

“It’s going to be fine sweetie. It wasn’t any easier giving natural birth to you or David.” She says. “You were actually a premy baby yourself. David was born march 25th, 1988 and you, my darling, oh,” She put a hand to her heart. “Born March 24th 1989 in the small town of Laughter, Colorado. All small and blue and bloody and your cry was like a battle cry and you were steady crying.” She said oblivious to Ellie’s red face.

“Mom,” she groaned. “Austin is right behind you.” She turned around and ushered me over. I sat on the bed closest to Ellie’s feet.

“When your dad held you, it was so amazing. You stopped crying and you laid in his arms, so touching. But then you kinda pooped on him-”

“MOM!” I chuckled and laid a hand on Ellie’s thigh.

“And when we took you home and sat you next to David, he started crying and you started crying and your dad started crying and Grandma Sue started crying. A lot of crying happened that day.” Ellie dropped her head backwards. “When you and David turned three it was then we realized you guys had the nack for music. Your dad raised David up on Guns N’ Roses, Queens, Green Day, and I raised you up on classic rock. But either way, you guys were destined to be where you are today. I know your dad would be proud.” She turned to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I’m so proud of you two. My little girl is about to be a mother in a few short hours. Congrats Austin.” She said, bringing me in for a hug. “Take care of her. break her heart and I’ll break your soul.” She whispered. “I know your mom would be proud too.” She added. I nodded, not wanting to cry in front of her mom. “I know you two are going to do a wonderful job raising this kid and if many more after this.” She rubbed me shoulder again with a sad smile on her face and leans in to kiss Ellie on the forehead. “I love you both. I’ll be in the waiting room with those two young men. And Ellie, you have to tell me, whatever happened to Alex dear.” And with that she was gone.

Around midnight, three hours later, Ellie started crying. I was sleeping on one of the plastic chairs when I hear a loud cry. I ran out and got the doctor. He bent down and looked at her vagina, which pissed me off, and shook his head, writing something on her clipboard and checking her vitals.

“She’s five and a half centimeters dilated. We’re gonna go ahead and admit her to the tub. Can you undress her please?” he asked. I nod and waited for him to close the door.

“Ellie?” she groaned. When I turned her over, she had tears streaming down her face.
“It hurts Austin.” She cried. A frown appeared its way on my face as I pulled her closer to me.

“I’m sorry. But it’s going to be okay.” I got her undressed and into a white robe left for us and wheeled her down. The nurse directed me to a room where a giant bathtub laid with water filled in it with steam blowing off the top.

“That looks nice.” Ellie murmured, half awake. The nurse helped me get her in the tub and told me, no snapped at me to watch her and let her not drown. While Ellie floated in the tub, the
bump sticking out like a mountain, I decided it’s now or never.

“Ellie?”

“Hmmm?”

“You know how Daniel was bullied a lot during high school?”

“Mhmmm.”

“Well, before I came here, I stopped by his grave to apologize.” I say while twiddling my thumbs.

“Hmmm. Why?”

“Because it was me and my friends who bullied him.” I say. It was quite and I heard the water puttering. I thought she was going to choke, but really she was sitting up.

“I know it was you Austin.” My blood ran cold and I started to shake. “I knew it all along, which was part of the reason why I disliked you so much throughout high school. But I know Daniel would’ve excepted your apology which is why I’m accepting yours.” She took a wet hand from the water and pressed it against my cheek. “I’m going to kill you after this baby is born.”

About seven hours later, around five thirty in the morning, I was awoken by the doctor and Ellie. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and hissed at the doctor. I’m still mad at him for willingly looking at her vagina. Like, dude, find someone else’s swollen vagina to look at.
“She’s ten centimeters dilated. We’re going to get her pushing.”

Notes

Eh, I'm starting to hate this story. Don't know if I'll continue or not.