previous parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Will can’t believe this is happening, how can he have such bad luck? He would’ve just needed one more day. But he refuses to just give up, he can’t handle the scandal and public embarrassment. He can’t even think about what the headlines would say.
No way, he thinks, I can still make it home. He only has like fifty minutes of waiting left, before his private plane takes off and it’s not even a two hours’ flight, more like one hour and forty minutes. So, all in all he only has to last a little more than two and a half hours and then he’ll be in the comfort of his own home, hopefully with his midwife and without a fucking scandal.
He can make it that long. Probably. Labor lasts for hours, right? But you’ve already been in pain for hours, a little voice in his head says. Even before you woke up, he checks his watch, it’s been at least sixteen hours.
It’s like his body feels his growing panic because the pain kicks up a notch, tight cramps washing all over his belly. “Ohhhhh, fuuuuuck,” he moans, trying desperately to keep quiet, and rubbing and pressing into the especially tender spots to at least take the edge off. “Please, stop. Ohhhhh! Please, please, please,” he begs. He tries to remove some of the tightness and tension by massaging the tight skin, starting at the bottom and working his way up, over the sides towards the top, but it only helps minimally. The steel band still feels tightly in place. He wishes he’d had more time with the midwife, he has no idea how to ease the pain. It finally grows weaker, and he tries to take a few deep breaths.
The pressure at the bottom is still there, steadily growing worse and worse with every contraction. It’s okay, he tells himself. This is horrible timing and more painful than expected but I can still do this. My water hasn’t even broken yet, sixteen hours isn’t that long for a first-time labor, right?
He’s not completely naive though, he knows getting on the next plane is a bit of a risk. He’ll have to at least check in with his midwife, get her opinion and maybe instructions to check his progress and some tips to deal with the pain, because he’s not sure how much longer he can keep himself together.
He needs some privacy, so grabs his bag and makes his way to the bathroom next to the bar. His walk has turned into a waddle, with the baby so low and pressing against his pelvis, but he tries to go as fast as he can, desperate to make it, before another contraction hits.
He locks the door after he makes it inside the spacious bathroom and drops the bag onto the bank that lines the wall across the sinks, next to the cubicle, before he goes to wash his face.
The water helps to calm his nerves a bit. He briefly wonders how it would feel to immerse himself completely, a bath or even a shower would probably do wonders to combat the pain, might even get some of his taunt muscles to relax, but he can’t.
He eventually sinks down next to his bag, relieved to be off his feet. At this point every little movement is exhausting, leaves him panting and sweating.
He pulls out his phone, and notices he has a bunch of missed texts and calls, most of them from Ana, but also a few from Nick. He checks Ana’s texts first:
> That’s a long time to be having false contractions.
> Are you sure you’re not in labor?
> How bad are the pains? And how regular?
> Please answer me, Will! I’m actually worried now.
> Is someone with you? Are you timing the contractions?
> Please tell me what’s going on, I want to help!
> I’m gonna call Nick, if you don’t pick up your phone.
Shit, he really should’ve checked in sooner, hopefully her and Nick haven’t done anything stupid, like told someone what’s going on. He needs this to stay a secret. He quickly switches to Nick’s messages:
> Will, what’s going on? Are you okay?
> Ana, just called me, told me she’s scared you’re in labor?
> Answer your fucking phone!!!
Just as he’s done reading, his phone starts ringing. It’s Ana again. He takes a deep breath and answers, “Hello? Sorry, I’ve-”
“Will? Thank god, I’ve finally reached you! What’s going on? Are you still in pain?”
“I think I’m in labor,” he finally admits, burying his face in his hands.
“Okay. Let’s stay calm, walk me through your symptoms.”
He tries to gather his thoughts. “Uhm, my belly feels a lot lower and there is a lot of pressure at the bottom, that doesn’t really go away. And these really intense cramps keep happening, feels like there is a steel band wrapped around my stomach. They’re definitely happening regularly and I think they’re getting stronger, so I need you to help me slow this down so I can get home, without anyone noticing... I’m not sure how much longer I can hide what’s going on.”
“That definitely sounds like labor,” Ana agrees. “I don’t think you should keep traveling. Might be time to find the nearest hospital, I’m sorry I’m not there, but they should be able to help you with the pain.”
“No, no, I can’t! Please, no one can know!” Will begs, nervously rubbing his belly. “It’s barely two hours, I can still make it home. Please, just tell me what to do!”
Ana sighs, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Please, someone at the hospital will leak it, and I really can’t handle that! I’m sure, I’m not that far gone yet...” At least he hopes, he has to convince her.
“Has your water broken yet?” Ana asks. “How far apart are the contractions?”
“No it hasn’t, and I don’t really know”, he admits. “Haven’t really been timing them.”
“Okay, then we’ll time the next two and go from there.” Ana suggests.
“Fine,” Will relents, he can already feel his stomach tightening up again.
