The Marriage Clause by Dahlia Rose

over the Brooklyn Bridge. In that time she had three contractions and they were strong. Mikael looked at her more than once in worry and she tried to reassure him.
    “We’re both doing fine, Daddy,” India said. “She’s just impatient to be here.”
    “Tell her that while we want to see her I’d prefer for her not to be born on the side of the road.” Mikael reached over and squeezed her hand with one of his while he steered the car easily with the other.
    At the hospital Rhonda was waiting for them as they came in. She was standing next to the nurse’s desk when they were escorted to the labor and delivery ward on the sixth floor.
    Rhonda smiled down at India. “So, Miss Isabella is ready to face the world?”
    India nodded. “And she’s very impatient. My water broke and my contractions are about ten minutes apart.”
    “It sounds like you’ve been in labor for a little bit and not known it,” Rhonda commented. “Has your back been aching more?”
    “More than usual, which is like every day?” Mikael asked. “She can barely walk up the stairs for a bath.”
    Rhonda nodded. “Isabella was lying pressed against her spine, and as she got heavier it got worse. India, did you have more pressure against your genitals?”
    “God yes, and here’s another contraction,” India moaned.
    Rhonda spoke to Mikael. “Let’s get her into the labor suite and I can do an examination. Doctor Highland is on his way.”
    India tried to breathe through the pain as she was wheeled down the hallway.  She now knew what the books meant by the feeling of wanting to bear down as labor progressed. In the room, Gran and Bonnie opted to wait out in the waiting room until she was settled in bed after the examination.  The fetal monitor was in place and the sound of the baby’s heartbeat filled the room.
    “Okay India, let’s get you checked,” Rhonda said and sat on the edge of the bed. “Let your knees fall apart and try to relax.”
    “Another contraction,” India gasped.
    “It’s the best time to check,” Rhonda made a sound of pity. “I’m sorry, India this will be a bit uncomfortable.”
    Uncomfortable wasn’t the word, because feeling Rhonda check the dilation of her cervix while having a contraction was more pain that she wanted to bear. She knew it would get worse and it was all to bring her daughter into the world, but tears sprang to her eyes as her nurse did her job.
    “All done,” Rhonda crooned. “You’re about five, almost six centimeters dilated. I’m going to call Dr. Highland and ask him to give approval for your epidural so I can catch the anesthesiologist while he’s on this floor. If he leaves it may take over an hour to get him back.”
    “Thank you Jesus,” India said with her eyes closed. “Run, hurry, get him to come to this room immediately, post haste.”
    Rhonda gave a soft laugh. “I’m on it. You take care of her, Major.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” Mikael answered.
    As Rhonda quietly left the room, he sat on the opposite side of the bed and rested his forehead against hers.
    “I’m so sorry you’re hurting,” Mikael said quietly.
    “I’ll be fine,” she promised. “It’s all for our baby girl, I can take it.”
    “Still when that epidural comes you won’t say no, huh?” Mikael chuckled.
    She shook her head and laughed softly. “Oh no I won’t.”
    Three hours later she had her epidural and her lower body was pleasantly numb. She could feel her stomach tightening with each contraction but there was no pain, only a lot of pressure.  Mikael watched the machine that charted her contractions with rapt interest and pointed out each one. The baby’s heartbeat was steady and Dr. Highland said everything was progressing exactly as it was meant to. Gran and Brownie were in the room, sitting close by in a loveseat and flipping through magazines of baby stuff. India feared the list they were making because she doubted that the baby would need or use half that. India had the