CHAPTER 6
891 Words
Evelin Brown
The hospital seemed like a labyrinth of white lights and rushed voices. The floor gleamed under the cold lamps, and the strong smell of disinfectant invaded my nostrils as soon as the automatic doors opened.
I was panting, my whole body trembling. The contractions overwhelmed me, taking my breath away and jumbling my thoughts.
“Breathe, Eve, you're almost there,” Megan whispered beside me, holding my hand tightly.
“Someone help, please!” Katherine shouted, her eyes wide with despair.
Two nurses came towards us pushing a wheelchair, but before they arrived, a movement at the end of the corridor caught my attention.
Two familiar silhouettes were running towards us.
Lucas.
My brother was there.
Beside him, Bryan looked equally tense, his dark eyes filled with enormous concern.
“Evelin!” Lucas crouched down immediately, his firm hands resting on my shoulders. His gaze held me, and for a moment, all the pain seemed smaller. “Megan called me, and I came as soon as I found out. How are you?”
I tried to answer, but a new pang seemed to tear through me, making me groan through clenched teeth.
“Ah! I'm in so much pain,” I replied, groaning.
Lucas held my hand instantly.
“It's alright, I'm here with you.”
“We need to take her to the obstetrics ward,” one of the nurses informed.
Before I could protest, they helped me sit in the wheelchair, and Lucas didn't hesitate before holding my other hand, trying to reassure me.
“Stay calm, I'll go with you.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“I'll go too,” Megan stepped forward.
“Me too!” Katherine affirmed, already moving.
"Only one person can enter," the nurse warned.
Lucas stepped forward, his expression firm and unquestionable.
"Then I'll go."
No one protested.
Because everyone knew Lucas had always been there for me, through the worst and best moments of my life at the orphanage where we grew up.
I was rushed down the corridor. The pain remained intense, but the despair that was consuming me gradually eased in his presence.
The delivery room felt cold, yet I was overwhelmed by an unbearable heat. Sweat poured down my face, my entire body pulsing with exhaustion. Each contraction was a cruel reminder that the moment was approaching.
And I wasn't ready. But as I clung to Lucas's hand, I realized I wasn't alone.
"You're doing very well, Evelin," the doctor encouraged, looking at the monitors.
But I was trembling, panic creeping over my skin, and fear tightening my chest.
"I can't..." my voice faltered, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. "I don't know if I can..."
Lucas held my face firmly, his eyes full of determination.
"Yes, you can. You're the strongest person I know. Look at how much you've been through... you can do this, my sister."
I wanted to believe, but the pain was overwhelming.
"I'm scared, Lucas…" I confessed with a sob, and he nodded, understanding without needing more words.
"I know, but you're not alone," he said, squeezing my hand. "I'm here, your friends too. And when this baby is born, you'll see... it will be worth every second because he will be your greatest joy."
The doctor looked at me again.
"Evelin, I need you to push, you're almost there."
My whole body was exhausted, but I gathered everything I had left and prepared myself.
"You can do it, Eve!" Lucas urged.
I grabbed Lucas's hand tightly and when the contraction came, I pushed.
The pain ripped through my body like pure fire, but I pushed on.
"One more time, Evelin!"
I screamed, pushing myself beyond my limits. My whole body trembled, my muscles burned, and I felt like I was going to collapse. The pain tore through my body, but I knew... it was close.
Lucas held my hand tightly, his presence was my anchor in the midst of that overwhelming storm.
"You can do it, Eve! Come on, just a little more!" he said, his voice thick with emotion, his thumb caressing my sweat-drenched skin.
I inhaled with difficulty, my chest rising and falling in desperation.
"I can't... I just can't..." I sobbed, fear and exhaustion overtaking me.
"Yes, you can, because you are strong! Come on, sis!" the firmness in his words gave me strength, even when I thought there was nothing left inside me.
I gritted my teeth and did as I was told.
With all the pain... With all my strength...
And then...
A cry filled the room... loud and strong.
The most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.
Emotion hit me like a tidal wave. My eyes welled up with tears, and a sob escaped before I could hold it back. My body relaxed instantly, but my heart... my heart raced in a way it never had before.
The doctor smiled.
"Congratulations, Mommy! It's a beautiful boy."
Mom...
That word hit me with such force that everything else disappeared.
Desperately, my eyes scanned the room, and then I saw him.
My son.
A nurse carefully wrapped him up before bringing him to me, and when they placed him in my arms, something inside me changed forever.
He was small... So small... His skin was flushed, his little eyes still closed, his tiny, fragile hands moving slightly.
- Writer
