Mistaken Consequences

Chapter 30: Happy Birthday

Hamish stopped midsentence as he heard something. Was that Vera? Did she need him? He smiled apologetically to his mom.

"I think I need to check in on Vera," he told her. "I've left her alone too long already."

She nodded, not making a motion to stand. Tears still streaked her face and he wasn't sure she would be in a position to stand, in any case.

"Let me check, then I'll take you down to the waiting room."

This time, she wiped at her eyes impatiently. "Go to her. I'll just go get cleaned up." His mother, always the socialite.

Hamish nodded and hurried across the hall to Vera's room.

His eyes looked towards the bed, nearly skipping over the rocking chair right in his line of view, before darting back when he noticed her. Vera had moved in the brief minutes he'd been gone. He should have asked before he'd left...

But it was fine. She was fine. Maybe.

Vera's own gaze had been trained on the door, and he could see her relief as he approached.

"I'm here. Are you okay?"

Vera looked down at her lap and he followed her gaze to find a small, darkened patch growing on her grey gown. "My water broke."

Hamish froze. "Okay. Okay...so we just..." What should he do? Should he call the midwife back in? Did Vera need something? He knew it was just another stage of her labor progression, but he felt useless. Again.

Vera was so amazingly patient with him though, despite what she was currently going through. "I'm okay," she told him softly. "But I need help changing into something dry, then we need to let the midwives know."

"Right..." Clothes first, then midwife. Clothes...did she want him to help her change?

"Oh, for god's sake, Hamish."

Hamish turned and saw his mother approaching them through the still open door, wiping away her tears.

"At least help her stand so she's not sitting in it."

Hamish hurried to do just that, blushing because he hadn't thought of it. "Right, sorry," he apologized, helping Vera slowly rise from her chair.

"Do you have something else you want to wear or should I look for a hospital gown?" his mother continued, taking charge of the situation, the way she always had.

"In my bag," Vera answered. She looked at Hamish and gave a small smile. "I bought three."

"A prepared woman," Helene said approvingly.

Vera just nodded her agreement, stepping into him as her next contraction began.

Hamish wrapped his arms around her and began rubbing her upper back as she held onto him, muffling her moans against his chest.

Helene tentatively stepped forward and set a hand on Vera's back. "Do you mind?"

Vera shook her head, groaning heavily. Her nails were digging into his back this time and he was fairly certain she'd leave behind marks, despite her nails currently being cut short.

His mom looked at him for confirmation and he nodded. "She'll let you."

Hamish watched his mother run her hands down Vera's back before reaching a spot low on her back and pressing firmly against the spot.

"Does that help?" Hamish was asking his mom, but Vera nodded against him.

"Counter pressure," Helene answered quietly. "She would usually be leaning over more, against the bed or on her hands and knees, but it can help relieve some of the pain in her back."