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doctor is available.
Whatever we need to do, she nodded agreeably. Now that she was up and out of bed,
she could think more clearly. Lily, panting on the sofa, definitely came first.
What was that? Naomi asked into the phone. Okay, good. She turned to Courtney.
Zac the paramedic is heading back with the ambulance. He ll go to help the doc then one
or the other of them will be available to help us. She spoke into the mouthpiece again.
We ll hang on here for a while then. She s not too uncomfortable. I know first babies take a
long time.
Not always, Courtney whispered.
Naomi waved her hand, trying to listen to the phone. Okay, thanks, Pam. Yes, please.
If you hear from one of the docs, let them know what s going on. Bye. She hung up. Well,
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Lily, one of the doctors will be available soon. Pam is leaving a voicemail for him, so he ll
know you re in labour.
Good. Lily nodded. I m doing fine. Like you said, first babies take a while.
Courtney shrugged. Not always, you two. I ve heard sometimes they can come really
fast. I d feel better if we could get her to a hospital.
There isn t one around here, Naomi told her. The clinic handles emergency births
quite nicely. I d feel better if a doctor was there though.
You think it might be a short labour? Lily asked worriedly.
Probably not, sugar. Naomi smoothed the woman s hair back. She turned and walked
over to Courtney. Cool it with the it could happen really fast talk. She needs to stay calm.
Sorry. Can I do anything?
Yes. You can sit with her while I shower. I m sticky as hell.
Not my fault. Courtney rolled her eyes as she walked over to Lily.
Naomi grinned and went to shower.
So this is it, huh? Courtney sat down on the sofa.
I think so. Contractions are coming and going.
It could be false labour. I ve heard of that.
Lily nodded. They told us about that in birthing class. They said to change whatever
you were doing. If the contractions continue, they re probably real. I was walking when they
started so I sat. They re still coming regularly.
Courtney shrugged. Sounds real enough to me. It s a good thing you re here. Naomi is
good at this kind of stuff. She knows just what to do.
She s a good friend, Lily agreed, then clutched her stomach. Oh!
Courtney glanced at the clock. Timing the contractions was one thing she could do. It s
ten thirty on the nose. We ll see how far apart they are.
Lily nodded again, breathing heavily. When the worst of it passed, she relaxed against
the pillow. That was a strong one.
Can I get you anything?
No thanks. I wish I knew where Gary was.
Is there anyone who would know? We could call them.
I m not sure. It s hard to think.
Just relax. You ve been through the classes. This is all going to be fine.
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Tears streamed down the younger woman s face. I never imagined it would be this
way! We both wanted this baby. Now I m afraid I ll be doing it all alone.
Oh, Lily. Courtney glanced towards the bedroom, willing Naomi s return. She was
good at nurturing. Courtney felt lost. She patted Lily s shoulder uncomfortably.
The woman burst into tears. Before Courtney realised what was happening, Lily
grabbed her, clinging to her for support.
She continued to pat Lily s back as the tears fell.
What happened? Naomi nearly shouted, rushing to the sofa.
She s afraid. She wants Gary. Courtney made an irritated face.
Naomi nodded in agreement. It s going to be all right. She sat on the edge of the sofa,
pulling Lily into her arms.
Courtney stood up, relieved. She didn t usually have a problem with intimacy, but it
was different with strangers. Lily and her weird husband were as foreign to her as if they
were from the moon.
Another contraction, Lily announced, grabbing her stomach.
Courtney looked at the clock. It s only been five minutes. That s pretty fast, isn t it?
Naomi looked up at her. Are you sure?
She nodded.
Maybe I need to call for that ambulance. We can wait with her down at the clinic, and
at least there ll be a nurse.
I agree.
You okay? Naomi asked before standing.
Lily nodded, breathing heavily.
Naomi went to the table to retrieve her phone. Someone pounded on the front door
loudly, and she jumped.
The doctor? Courtney asked hopefully. The women looked at each other.
Lily! Are you in there? The voice was masculine, his words slurred.
I take it that s not the doctor. Courtney made a face.
Gary s here! Lily cried excitedly. I knew he d come back. He wouldn t let me go
through this alone.
Come back? Naomi glanced at her. He knew you were in labour and he left
anyway?
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