Part 1:

3:45. That’s what the red numbers read on the clock that Jessica stared at from across the room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she looked over at Shawn. He was still asleep with the towel on his forehead. Jessica thought about taking the towel to wet it some more but didn’t want to risk waking Shawn. She decided to wait until he woke again, which wouldn’t be long. Shawn’s eyes opened, turning their attention to Jessica’s gaze.
    “Whatdaya staring at?” he asked in a tired voice.
    “How do you feel?” Jessica asked as she stood up off the bed. She reached over for the towel on Shawn’s forehead.
    “I’m fine,” said Shawn as he adjusted himself onto his side once Jessica took the towel. “You can keep it. I don’t want it anymore.”
    “You sure?”
    “Yea…” Shawn was stopped as a strong contraction hit. He clutched the sheet with one hand as he gripped his stomach with the other. Jessica rushed to the other side of the bed to be by his side. Shawn laid back after the contraction was over.
    “That looked like it was the strongest one yet.”
    “It was.”
    “Should I call Heidi now?”
    “Not yet.”

Heidi was a midwife and Shawn’s friend. Shawn wanted to hold off calling her since he didn’t feel like being prodded just yet.

    “Is there anything I can do? Anything you need?”
    “Just come lay beside me and stop worrying…and stop staring whenever I’m asleep.”
    “I can’t help it, Shawn. You’re in labor… I just want to make sure everything is okay.”
    “Everything’s fine, Jess.” Shawn said as he grabbed Jessica’s arm to kiss her hand. They locked eyes while only having light from the bathroom door being cracked. “Now go put the towel up, turn off the light, and come lay next to me.”

Jessica did as she was told. She placed the towel in the bathroom sink and turned off the light. Just as she was about to go over to the bed, she stopped and looked at the bedroom door.
    “I should check on the boys first.”
Shawn nodded his head an approval. He closed his eyes as Jessica walked out. This time, both hands gripped his stomach…

Jessica peeped through the cracked door of the boys’ room. All four were still sleep in their bunk beds. She made her way back to her and Shawn’s room. Once she got to the door, she stopped to witness Shawn breathing hard while holding his stomach. This time his legs were open and knees were bent while the sheet still covered him. He laid back, turning his head to look at her.
    “Call Heidi.”
Jessica picked up her cell phone. She sat next to Shawn while she dialed the number.
    “Hello?”
    “It’s Jess. I think it’s time.”
    “How far apart have the contractions been?”
    “About ten minutes. He’s been holding off calling you all night. He just told me to call now.”
    “Let me speak to him.”
Jessica held out the phone to Shawn, who looked annoyed at the gesture.
    “Are you serious?”
    “She wants to talk to you.”
    “About what?”
    “I guess about how you’re feeling…”
    “I FEEL LIKE I’M GETTING READY TO PUSH!!!” At that moment, Shawn closed his eyes while clenching the sheets. Jessica watched with wide eyes. Both ignored Heidi’s calling his name. Jessica finally got back on the phone.
    “Heidi…”
    “I heard him. I’m getting my stuff and will be on my way”
    “Okay. Please call my cell and don’t knock on the door. I don’t want to wake the boys.”
    “Sure thing. Be there in a bit.”

Jessica hung up the phone as she turned her attention to Shawn. Sweat poured down his forehead as he concentrated on breathing, with eyes looking up at the ceiling. His breathing turned to grunting.
    “Are you pushing?”
    “I think somebody’s trying to come out…” with that statement, Shawn kicked the sheet off.
    “Heidi’s not here yet, Shawn!”
    “Well, these babies might beat her here…” At that moment, Shawn grabbed his knees and beared down.
    “Please, Shawn, please wait until Heidi gets here. She can tell you…”
    “…my body’s telling me to push right now!”

Jessica hurried out the room after hearing her phone ring. She went for the front door to let Heidi in.
    “You didn’t even answer your phone…”
    “He’s pushing, Heidi.” Jessica said with panic in her voice.
Heidi came in and locked the door behind her. “Relax. If you two made it through giving birth to quadruplets naturally, then I’m sure you’ll be just fine with half the amount.”
    “But that was in a hospital and you were present before he started pushing…” whispered Jessica as both she and Heidi walked past the boys’ room. Jessica peeped in once more to make sure the boys were still sleep. She pulled up the door a little as she heard Shawn’s grunts get louder.

When Jessica got to the bedroom, the light was on as Heidi put some gloves on while Shawn was sitting up against the bedstead. His white T-shirt was the only thing he had on that covered him from his neck to his bellybutton. He reached out for Jessica to be by his side.
    “I’m gonna get that tow…” Shawn abruptly yanked Jessica back to his side.
    “I can do without the towel. Just stay with me.” Jessica rubbed sweat off Shawn’s forehead with her hand as he grunted and breathed.
    “Do you want me to break your water?” asked Heidi.
    “Please…” said Shawn as he pulled Jessica closer so that he could dig his face into her shoulder. He ended up letting go to concentrate on pushing, grabbing hold of the sheets as he beared down. Jessica moved closer by Heidi to get a full view. Both women saw the bulge of the sac come to view. Heidi grabbed hold of it and punctured it with a pair of scissors.
    “Oh my God…” Shawn sighed in relief as he didn’t feel as much pressure as he did before. He caught his breath for a moment.
    “Are you gonna give birth in the tub like we planned?” asked Jessica.
    “He’s not going anywhere right now. Maybe for the second one, but this one is getting ready to come out.”
    “Okay…” said Jessica in disappointment. She hoped that they would experience a waterbirth this time around. They didn’t get the chance to with the quads.
    “I’m sorry, baby…I just can’t move right now…” explained Shawn apologetically, knowing how much Jessica wanted a waterbirth…even though Shawn didn’t care to have one.
    “It’s okay. Whatever is more comfortable for you...”
Shawn closed his eyes after hearing the disappointment in her words. “Go run some fresh, warm water in the tub. I can probably make it in for the second one.”
    “No, Shawn, it’s okay. Really…” Jessica said as she walked over to Shawn’s side. “Let’s focus on what’s comfortable for you at the moment.” She kissed Shawn on the forehead, causing Shawn to give a little smirk…which was wiped away with Shawn closing his eyes and giving a sudden push. Heidi adjusted herself to get ready for the delivery. Jessica was about to make her way next Heidi until Shawn grabbed her hand for her to stay by him.
    “I see hair, Shawn. This one’s coming along mighty fast.”
Shawn brought both his knees to his chest and beared down. With each push, the top of the baby’s head was more and more visible. Jessica remained by Shawn’s side, leaning to view over Shawn’s belly.
    “Baby’s crowning, Shawn.” Heidi announced. Shawn suddenly stopped pushing to catch his breath.
    “Take your time, Shawn.”
    “You okay?” asked Jessica while rubbing Shawn’s knee. She glanced back and forth from the baby’s crowned head to Shawn’s exhausted face. Shawn nodded yes.
    “Is her head out?” he asked.
    “Not yet. We just see the top. Got a lot of dark hair...” confirmed Heidi. Shawn looked at Jessica. He figured the girls might come out brunette like her since the boys are blondes like him.
    “Just take your time. At the next contraction, her head should be completely out when you push.”
Shawn’s body had other plans. As soon as the next contraction hit, Shawn delivered his daughter’s entire body with one push. Heidi was surprised to catch the little girl so suddenly, while Jessica covered her mouth in awe.
    “Oh my god…” Jessica said while her mouth was still covered.
    “Yep, it’s a girl.” Heidi announced after checking the gender quickly. She cut the cord before placing the baby on Shawn’s chest. Jessica got closer to Shawn’s side to observe their daughter. Heidi placed a blanket on top of the baby.
    “She okay?” Shawn asked while looking at his daughter laying on top of him. Her eyes were open, but she wasn’t crying.
    “She’s fine. She’s alert. Just quiet…” assured Heidi.
Shawn kept looking at his daughter as if expecting some reaction from her, “You’d think after these past six hours, she’d come out kicking and screaming…”
    “Hi, baby...” Jessica said as she softly rubbed her daughter’s head. Shawn glanced at Jessica’s face before looking back at their baby.
    “She looks like you, Jess.”
    “You think so?” Jessica asked while observing her daughter’s features closer. Heidi came over to observe for herself. “Yep…she’s got your hazel eyes, brown hair…everything.”
    “Heidi, clean her off so Jess can hold her.”
    “Alrighty.” Heidi replied as she took the little girl off of Shawn. The baby started to whimper as she was taken from her father.
    “Relax…I’m gonna give you back in a minute” said Heidi to the little girl. After cleaning the baby and wrapping her in a blanket, Heidi handed the little girl to Jessica. Jessica lightly cradled the baby as they both held eye contact. Jessica sat by Shawn as he shifted a bit.
    “I feel like I gotta push…”
Jessica’s eyes shot at Shawn in surprise, then looked at Heidi bringing a silver bowl with her to sit between Shawn’s legs. Shawn gave a little push for the placenta to expel. Heidi took the bowl away. Jessica focused back on the daughter in her arms.
    “I guess the other one is not ready to come out yet.”
    “She can take her time. Gives me a chance to rest up.” Shawn said as he slumped down to lay back, watching his wife fall in love with their newborn daughter. As happy as he was, as well as how beautiful the little girl was…all he could think about was the fact that he had to do it all over again one more time…