Stalemate by Dahlia Rose Page A

like when they put a branch in your mouth to sever a leg in the old days,” Isa said through gritted teeth.
    “I don’t think I want that,” Bryce said slowly. “How about you keep breathing through it?”
    “I’m doing that!”
    “Okay, okay,” Bryce said gently.
    The sliding glass partition came down slowly and David glanced back using the rearview mirror as he drove. “Everything okay back there, sir?”
    “I’d suggest you hurry so we can get medication into her before she bites me,” Bryce answered.
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Oh Tawny. She is going to miss this. She was going to be home the day before the C-section,” Isa said, and she instantly began to cry.
    “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I will call her as soon as we get you settled and get her on the first red eye out from Italy,” Bryce said.
    Isa breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled into the hospital parking lot. Bryce rushed out and left her in the limo. She saw him race through the sliding doors of the ER. He came back with a nurse who was pushing a wheelchair.
    “Be blessed and safe delivery, Miss.” David grinned. “Hopefully, Mr. Forte doesn’t pass out.”
    ‘”Remind me to tell you how he threw up when they said I could be in labor any minute.” Isa grinned.
    David chuckled. “I will do that.” Both he and Bryce helped her into the wheel chair.
    “You are the first woman who’s ever come in a limo to have a baby,” the nurse said excitedly.
    “Right now, I’d sell it to you for some pain meds.” Isa groaned as another contraction took hold of her.
    “We’ll get you up to labor and delivery,” the nurse said sympathetically.
    Since her water had broken, when Dr. Allary arrived, it was straight to an operating room to get her prepped for her C-section. The risk of infection was higher because she’d gone into labor before her scheduled procedure. Lying on the table with her epidural in, she could hear the twin beats of their babies’ hearts and all she felt was pure excitement.  Bryce sat by her head and held her hand. Every once in awhile, he would bend low and kiss her temple close to the surgical cap she wore over her hair and whisper encouraging words.
    Dr. Allary looked over the high-draped sheet and asked through his mask, “Are you ready to have these babies?”
    “We definitely are,” Isa said.
    Bryce bent his head to whisper in her ear. “I love you, Isa.”
    She looked up at him in surprise. “You tell me this now?”
    He eyes were a warm and happy blue. “What better time than this? Our children are ready to come into the world.”
    “I love you, Bryce,” Isa said with sincerity.
    “Then they will come into our world filled with love,” he replied. “We had some rough patches there, but we will make it.”
    Isa nodded. “I know.”
    “We’re ready to get Forte baby number one out,” Dr. Allary said cheerfully. “You’re going to feel some tugging, Isa, but no pain.”
    “Okay.”
    She could hear the trembling in her own voice and Bryce squeezed her hand.  The first cry was soft and then a loud wail that made her laugh though her tears. Bryce did as well.
    “We have a boy,” Dr. Allary said, and held him over the draped sheet for them to see. “Healthy with all ten fingers and toes. Nurse, please take this very angry baby and get him cleaned up, please.”
    “Did you see him?” Isa asked excitedly.
    “I did, he is amazing,” Bryce answered.
    “More tugging,” Dr. Allary said. “This one doesn’t want to leave Mom.”
    Soon there was another cry, and Isa couldn’t help the tears that streamed down her face faster than Bryce could wipe them away.
    “It’s a girl. You have one of each,” Dr. Allary announced.
    “Oh my God, a boy and a girl,” Bryce said, and laughed. “Hot damn, those are my kids.”
    “Our kids,” Isa reminded him. “I can’t wait to hold them.”
    “Daddy gets to first while we take care of you,” the nurse said gently. “Here is baby boy Forte, his weight is