Alice
George scooped me up and carried me back into the infirmary. I almost felt embarrassed because I was all wet. Almost, but not really. I was too overwhelmed by everything that was happening to be self-conscious. My body was doing its own thing regardless, and I didn’t think I could walk any more. I felt like I needed to bear down, and my teeth were starting to chatter. At the same time, I felt an intense and almost unbearable stabbing pain in my lower back. George started to lower me onto the birthing bed, but I tugged at him.
“Get behind me,” I begged, “Push on my back! Please!” I gasped, as another contraction pulled me deep inside myself. I squeezed my eyes shut, so I didn’t see George as he slipped behind me on the bed, and pressed his knuckles into my back. “More,”
