Hold my hand

[Melodie Lowe]

A frail hand clung to the hospital stretcher as it was wheeled through countless corridors and doorways. Small fingers wound themselves around the edge of the stretcher. The band around the woman's arm read; Lowe, Melodie Ann. Melodie's eyes closed tighter and tighter in a desperate bid to somehow lessen the pain rushing through her body. A tall young man rushed along with her, following the stretcher through each turn, holding her frail hand as she cried out in pain, Izaak. Melodie's hand gripped tighter and tighter around Izaak's as the pain got stronger. Her body writhed with each jolt of pain as her hand clutched her swollen belly, the cause for her agony nestled safely inside it.

Tears began to emerge from her eyes as Melodie's bed seemed to be crowded around by doctors and nurses, taking her pulse, listening to each babies heartbeat and thrusting an oxygen mask across her small face. Melodie tried to remember what the books had said, her breaths became short and rapid as her eyes looked up into Izaak's, her own pooling with tears. All around her Melodie could hear people trying to talk to her, but the only voice she heard seemed familiar. "Mel? Mel are you ok?" the voice pleaded as Melodie tried to make herself speak. But no words would come to her. She gave the hand a squeeze to let him know she was still there.

"Izaak, I-I" Melodie began to say as her forehead was dapped with a wet cloth. She began to bite her lip to silence herself from screaming. Melodie's thoughts raced through her head as the pain increased, causing her a splitting headache. She couldn't do it, was it too late to back out now? Melodie didn't want them out. As far as she was concerned they could stay in there forever if it meant the pain would stop. "Izaak" she whispered again through short breaths.

 

[Izaak Finch]

The white walls of the maternity ward haunted Izaak into submission as he allowed Melodie’s grip to all but break his hand. It brought back memories, ones he had thought had left him for good, that he was loathe to remember. The last time he had been here was when he had lost his daughter, the one he had never been able to farewell. And the next time he had thought he’d be visiting was with Alexis, when he was ready, when they both were. But Cassie was a far-off fantasy now and Alexis, well he had been thinking about her a lot lately, wondering where she was and how she was doing, wondering if she still loved him like he did her because it had been months since they had last seen one another.

But his selfish thoughts had no place here by his best friend’s stretcher, so Izaak heaved them aside and asked if she was okay with the most pained look of concern written in his azure eyes. At first she was silent, then fumbling for words as she spoke his name. With a gentle ‘shh’ he hushed her and pushed the damp hair from her forehead. “Take it easy Mels. Just breathe.” Izaak shifted uncomfortably on his feet, having never been in this situation before he had no clue what to make of it.

 

[Melodie Lowe]

Melodie tried to think, but her head ached too much. She tried to think how hard it was for Izaak to be here, to have to relive those awful memories of his daughter. But when she tried to think of anything, it was all but lost a matter of seconds later. The whole room blurred around her as her eyes stung with tears. Melodie couldn't help but wish for her mother. As hateful and selfish her mother had been to her, she was still her mother. And her mother had been here before. She squeesed her eyes shut again, cursing herself for wanting her mother, she didn't love her, it was quite the opposite. As Izaak tried to reassure her Melodie shook her head. She didn't want this to happen, but it was going to. The pain didn't cease, her body began to sieze up, it was beyond her control now.

Izaak began to look more and more uncomfortable standing next to her. She pulled on his shirt and tried to find her words "I-I love you" she managed to release from her lips. She really did love him and she had no idea where she would be without him. Izaak had been there for her through everything, he was like a brother to her now, and she loved him like one too. Melodie felt overwhelmed with happiness, she was so grateful for the family she had, and she would always cherish them. For now she had to put all of her feelings of anger and hatred towards her parents and Adam aside, because from now on it wouldn't be just herself she had to look out for, it would be her boys too.

 

[Elliott Woods]

Elliott had been one of the healers working on the well endowed pregnant woman. He never delivered a baby before, but he had seen his daughter being born. He had observed his mother done it countless time in Canada, while he was doing his intership there. So it had to be no problem for him to handle, but why did he feel so nervous? He didn't show it, as much as he just wanted to bolt out of the room and not have to deal with the cries of a pregnant woman, he stuck it out and help the midwife as much as he could. Listening to her every instructions thrown at him. It was always hectic at St.Mungos. He had to remind himself, its what he wanted all along. "Ms. Lowe" he spoke not paying no mind to the man next to her. He was directed to tell her what was going on, the midwife had already checked her again. "You are about 7 centimeters away" he said quickly, looking down at the woman who was perched between her legs. She spoke loud enough, but because everyone was so busy moving around the room, Elliott had to be the one to repeat everything she had just told him. "You can't get enduse, your close to nine and already of the your infant coming out" he said in a rush but loud enough for her to hear. The midwife had instructed he would be the one to deliver the second, since she was already handling the first. He choked a little bit clear his throat. "You will have to go all the way natural. Is that clear?" he asked just to make sure she understood.