chapter 47

Matthias POV

"Hold my hand, please," Josie said to me, our breath, in fear.

''Baby, it's okay, I'm right here just breathe with me,'' I responded. ''Breathe,'' I whispered.

''Is it okay if I grab some water? Or?'' Zach implied.

''No,'' I shot back. ''I think she's fine.''

''Sorry, I was just wanted to help.''

''Well, she doesn't need it,'' I snapped back.

''Matthias,'' Josie chided. ''Stop, now,'' She widens her eyes, giving me that look that I need to stop this nonsense and just make amends with Zach already.

''I'm sorry.''

Josie lets go of my hand which made my brows furrowed. I didn't mean to upset Josie but it was already too late. She sat on the bed, inhaling and exhaling slowly then close her eyes.

''I'll leave you to rest, I'll be outside. Okay?'' I kissed her forehead and left the room as Zach came behind me in the hallways.

''Wait, Matthias, wait,'' he said to me.

''What do you want?'' I turned around to him.

''Let's hash this out right now.''

''Why?--''

''Matthias, I've been planning to leave for a while now, and I think it's time for me to move on.''

''Fine. But it doesn't make any sense, you were out of character and now all of a sudden you want to leave.''

''It's best for me to do it.''

''Yeah, okay,'' I whispered.

''Matthias!" Maya exclaimed, speeding up through the hallways to me. ''Is everything okay? How is she?'' She heaved roughly, running her hands through her hair.

''She's fine. Everything's okay.''

''What the hell are you doing here?'' Maya gave Zach an irritated look, Zach was lost for words which he then gulped in embarrassment.

He finally spoke. ''Paying a visit.''

''Yeah, sure,'' Maya responded, not buying of Zach was saying. ''I'll be inside. ''

-----

Hours flew by and I was in the waiting room nearby the door, being on the phone and constantly checking to see if Josie is okay.

Dr. Kalis came to me and tap me in my shoulder. I jolted.

''It's time Matthias,'' She smiled at me. My heart pounded voluminously against my chest. I looked back at Maya and she gave me the thumbs up mouthing ''good luck''. I looked at Zach and he gave me a small smile, which then I copied back to him.

''You're going to be great!'' She said with enthusiasm. ''She's been dilating, it's almost at ten centimeters now, here you go with your gloves and mask.

''Thank you, Doctor.''

''You're welcome, Matthias.''

''Okay, honey are you ready. Your husband is here, everything's going to be okay?''

''Mmm hmm,'' she responded.

When the labor began the pain was more intense than anything Josie had ever imagined.

''Keep Josie, you're almost there sweetie!'' Dr. Kalis encouraged.

Josie squeezed my hands hard, exhaling, tightening her eyes while pushing our baby out.

Dr. Khalis was telling her that is was time, time to push. With a guttural grunt she did so and was told to stop, one was enough. She felt the baby crowning, the hot stretching of flesh and held her breath. Without any further effort, the baby slid into the hands of the doctor.

''Ah, what a beautiful boy!'' She said.

I watch the newborn peer through brand new eyes at what must be such a strange world afterlife in the womb.

Josie sobbed into her hands and the tears dripped between her fingers. I towered over her and pulled her a bit closer to me.

''You did it, baby, you did it, I'm so proud of you,'' I whispered to her, kissing on her forehead.

She looks up to me and massaged my face in a circular motion. Water streamed down to my nose and onto her thumb; she stifles a laugh. ''Baby you're crying,'' she said to me.

''Yeah, I'm just happy.''

''Matthias, we're done with the measurements and testing, would you like to hold your, baby?''

I looked at Josie and she nods, permitting me to do so.

He feels so light, looks so perfect and smells so divine. His little face glowed from a light within, and his miniature fingers grasped mine and held tight.

I chuckled.

''Hey,'' I whispered. ''Elijah, you look like mommy.'' I laughed softly and sniffed, preventing the tears from falling from my face again.

''It's me. I'm your dad.''