Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT THE BABY CAME EARLY
The baby arrived three weeks before my due date.
It happened during a summer thunderstorm.
I was at home when the contractions began.
At first, I thought they were false labor.
Then they became stronger.
Closer together.
I called my doctor.
She told me to come to the hospital.
I called a neighbor who had agreed to drive me if needed.
Then I called Alessandro.
He answered on the first ring.
“Madison?”
“I'm in labor.”
Silence.
Then:
“I'm coming.”
By the time I reached the hospital, the contractions were intense.
Alessandro arrived twenty minutes later.
His hair was wet from the rain.
His shirt was wrinkled.
He looked terrified.
I almost laughed.
“You look worse than I feel.”
He stared.
“That's impossible.”
I laughed between contractions.
The medical team monitored the baby.
Everything progressed safely.
Alessandro stayed beside me because I asked him to.
He held my hand.
Brought water.
Helped me breathe.
And never once made the moment about himself.
After hours of labor, my daughter was born.
Small.
Pink.
Furious.
Her cry filled the room.
I began sobbing.
The nurse placed her against my chest.
I looked down.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
Alessandro stood beside the bed.
His eyes were wet.
I looked up.
“Would you like to meet her?”
He nodded.
I smiled.
“Her name is Grace.”
He swallowed.
“Grace.”
I nodded.
“Grace Elizabeth.”
He looked at the baby.
Then whispered:
May you like
“Welcome to the world, little one.”
For the first time since the snowstorm, I felt completely safe.
