The Midwife's Son

The man she supposed to be Matthew helped his wife into the clinic and stood hopping from foot to foot, looking lost and uncomfortable.

After the introductions, Jess helped Lily up onto the examination bed. ‘This is where they used to tell the husbands to go and boil water.’

Matthew gave a reluctant smile. ‘Thank goodness the world is far more modern these days. But I admit having something concrete to do would help me right now.’

‘You could hold your wife’s hand while I examine her.’ Try being a comfort to her, rubbing her back. She’s the one doing the hard work here.

‘Speaking of water, Lily did pass a lot of fluid just before I rang you.’

‘You’re telling me her waters broke?’ What was wrong with letting me know sooner?

Matthew looked sheepish. ‘Lily wouldn’t let me look and I wasn’t sure.’

Jess wanted to bang her head against the wall and scream. These two really weren’t dealing with this pregnancy very well. After an examination she told them, ‘Baby’s head’s down, and its bottom is pointing up. You’re definitely in labour.’

Lily said nothing, but her face turned white. ‘Now? Here? We shouldn’t have come.’ The eyes she turned on her husband were filled with distress and something else Jess couldn’t quite make out. Blame? Fear?

‘Matthew told me you’re nearly eight months along.’ When Lily nodded slowly, Jessica groaned internally. She’d have preferred to be dealing with a full-term baby when she didn’t know the patient. ‘I need to talk to your midwife. Lily, have you timed how far apart your contractions are?’

‘She wasn’t sure they were contractions,’ Matthew replied.

‘So this is your first baby?’ Jess asked.

‘No, our second.’ Matthew again.

So far Lily had hardly got a word in. Maybe that boiling water was a good idea after all. Jess pasted on a smile before saying, ‘I really need to talk to Lily for a moment. Have you timed the pains?’

Lily nodded, her face colouring up. ‘They’re four minutes apart.’

‘Okey-dokey, we’ve got a little lead-in time, then.’ Possibly very little, if this baby was in a hurry, but there was no point in raising Lily’s anxiety level any further. ‘You can fill me in on details. Like who your midwife is and how I can get hold of her for a start.’

I so do not like flying blind. A perfectly normal pregnancy so far, according to Matthew, but that baby was coming early. Too early really. Jess punched the cellphone number Matthew read out from his phone.

‘They’re where?’ the other midwife yelped when Jess explained the situation. ‘I warned them not to leave town. Lily has a history of early delivery. She’s only thirty weeks. The last baby didn’t survive.’

‘Thirty weeks? You’re sure? Sorry, of course you are. Damn it. Why would Matthew have said nearly eight months?’ Jess would’ve sworn long and loud if it weren’t the most unprofessional thing to do.

‘To cover the fact he shouldn’t have taken Lily away at all.’ The other midwife didn’t sound surprised.

‘He’s brought his wife to a place where there’s no well-equipped hospital or any highly qualified obstetricians and paediatricians.’ All because he’d wanted to go to a family wedding. The closest hospital by road was Nelson, a good two hours away. Now what? She had to call one of the local doctors. At least she knew where they all were. At the post-wedding brunch. She needed help fast. And probably a rescue helicopter. Those guys would have Lily in Nelson with every chance of saving her baby’s life in a lot less time than any other form of transport.

Lily groaned her way through a contraction. It would only get worse very soon, Jess thought after another examination of Lily. ‘Your baby has definitely decided on Golden Bay for its showdown.’ But she’d do her damnedest to change that. ‘Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl?’

‘A girl,’ Matthew answered.

A discreet knock at the door had her spinning around to see what her next crisis was. Another patient was not on her agenda.

Heat slammed into her tummy. ‘Jackson?’ Yes, please, thank you. ‘Come in.’ Perfect timing. ‘What brought you here?’

‘Mum’s truck.’ He grinned. ‘When she told me why you’d phoned I thought I’d drop by and say hi.’

‘I’m really glad you did.’ Then Matthew glared at her and Jackson so she quickly made the introductions.

‘Good. A doctor is exactly what we need,’ the guy had the temerity to say straight to her face.

Lily would’ve had any number of those if only they’d stayed in Christchurch. ‘Lily, Matthew, I need to talk to Dr Wilson. We’ll be right back.’

She dragged Jackson out of the room before anyone had time to utter a word. Her hand held a bunch of his very expensive shirt, the likes of which wasn’t usually seen around Takaka. In other circumstances, she’d have been pulling that gorgeous mouth down closer so she could kiss him hard and long. But today wasn’t her lucky day. ‘I know you don’t start covering for Grady for a few more days so I can phone Mike or Roz, but I’d like some assistance here.’ She quickly ran through all the details the midwife had given her. ‘I think it would be best if the rescue helicopter is called. I do not want to risk that baby’s life.’

‘I’m with you.’ Jackson caught her hand to his chest as she let go of his shirt. ‘The baby will need all the support it can get right from the moment it appears.’

‘She. It’s a girl.’ Jess spread her fingers across the chest that only hours ago she’d been kissing. ‘You need to make the call. I’m not authorised to except in exceptional circumstances.’ Which this could arguably be.

‘No problem. I’ll examine Lily first and then I’ll know what I’m talking about when I phone the rescue service. Can you get me the number? And the midwife’s? I’d like to talk to her, too.’ His green gaze was steady. ‘I’m not undermining you, Jess. I prefer first-hand information, that’s all. Especially since it’s been a while since I delivered a baby.’

The relief that he was sharing the burden swamped her, although she knew it shouldn’t. She had experience in difficult deliveries, though always in places where back-up was on hand. ‘Not a problem, I assure you.’ She turned to head for her patient. ‘Come on, we’ll talk to those two again. Together.’

Jackson still held her hand, tugged her back against him. ‘I had a great time.’ His lips brushed hers. ‘Thank you.’

You and me both. But she couldn’t tell him because of the sudden blockage in her throat and the pounding in her ears. So she blinked and smiled and then made her way into see Lily.

* * *

Jackson made the phone calls and returned to check on baby Carter’s progress. He was angry.

Breathe deep, in one two, out one two.

This mother and baby should not be here, jeopardising their chances of a good outcome. His hands fisted.

In one two. Out one two.

Sure, everything could work out perfectly, but at thirty weeks the baby would still need an incubator and special care. The father was a moron. Especially considering the fact their last baby had died. How did Jess remain so calm? Maybe she’d had time to settle down and get on with what mattered most, appearing confident in the current situation and ignoring the if-only’s. ‘Lily, you’re going to Nelson Hospital to have this baby. It’s too early for us to be bringing her into the world here.’ His tone was too harsh.

In one two. Out one two.

‘I’m not driving Lily over that awful hill in her condition. It was uncomfortable enough for her on Friday and she wasn’t in labour then.’ Matthew stared at Jackson as though it was his fault they were dealing with this here and now.

Jackson ground his teeth and fought for control. Losing his temper would do absolutely nothing to help. Finally, on a very deep, indrawn breath, he managed to explain without showing his anger. ‘The rescue helicopter will be here in approximately one hour. Jessica, where do they land?’

‘In the paddock out the back of the medical centre. I’ll go and see if there are any sheep that need shifting. Matthew, you can give me a hand.’ Jess winked at Jackson before she led the startled man out the door.

‘Go, Jess.’ Jackson grinned to himself, his anger easing off quicker than usual. Starting an examination of Lily, he talked to her all the while, explaining what was happening. And calmed down further. These sudden anger spurts were disturbing. He was usually known for his cool, calm manner in any crisis and he’d hoped taking time away from his job would fix the problem. It seemed he was wrong or maybe just impatient.

‘Will my baby be all right?’ Lily asked through an onset of tears.

He would not promise anything. ‘We’ll do everything we can towards that outcome.’

The tears flowed harder. ‘I didn’t want to come to the wedding but Matthew insisted. He can be very determined.’