October 15th. *Izzie's POV. “You should have seen the babies in there. They are so small. It was hard to watch.” “Jason, I am going to move forward and I want you to come and lay behind me.” I said. He sighed and got behind me. We spent a few hours like that until Dr. Smith came in at 5:08. “Hello guys. How are you feeling Izzie?” “Ok. The contractions are getting more intense.” I said. “Do you mind if I check you?” she asked. “Go ahead.” I said. “You are five centimeters. I am going to break your water and see if that helps. Do you need anything for the pain?” “No. I am going to try to do this naturally.” I said. “I am going to leave.” Jason said. “When I break her water, it is going to be painful. Be with her and hold her hand.” She said. He then took my hand. There was a little pinch and pressure and then a gush of water. “Izzie, that put you at six centimeters.”  I nodded. “I am going to check on you in an hour or so.” Dr. Smith said. We nodded.  Jason sat in the chair and took  my hand. *Jason’s POV. The contractions are getting more intense. Iz’s body convulses every six to eight minutes. She shoots up from the pain and her grasp tightens around me. She then collapses back down. Then she spends the few minutes curled up in the fetal position. Then the cycle will go all over again. “How is she doing?” A nurse asked. “She is having contractions every six minutes and each one is more intense. She also really wants to sleep.” “May I check her?” “Sure.” I said. “The baby is experiencing some changes in her heartbeat. That is taking a toll on Izzie. Each contraction is worse. I am going to check your baby’s heartbeat. Then I am going to talk to Dr. Smith. We might be looking at a crash C-section. On another note, She is nine centimeters and it looks like the contractions are every couple of minutes.” She said. “How can she sleep through this? I am scared.” “Mr. Toviano, all this rest is good for her. The baby is doing ok. I am going to talk to Dr. Smith and we will make a game plan.” She said as she walked out of the room. I am absolutely terrified. This baby might be born soon. “Jason, the baby is doing well. I don’t think we will needing a crash c. Iz is stable and I will check on her later.” She said. I nodded. Izzie then woke up… *Izzie’s POV. “Dang. What time is it?” I asked. “9:20.” He said. “Dang. I must have zoned out for a while.” “That’s ok. Are you feeling ok?” “The contractions are much more intense.” I said. “The nurse came in about two hours ago. You were 9 centimeters and she was a little concerned with Nikki’s heartbeat. Nikki is ok and so are you. Do you want some pain meds or anything?” he asked. “I just want you to hold me.” I said. “Alright.” He said. “Hello Izzie and Jason. May I check you Izzie?” Dr. Smith asked. “Go.” “Ahead.” I said. “Are the contractions getting closer together?” she asked. “Yeah.” I said. “Ok. Good news, you are ten centimeters. I think you have an hour or more before you are ready to push. Did Jason fill you in about the baby? She is much more stable and I think it was just because your contractions got a lot closer together and that stressed her out. But she is ok, don’t worry. I will check on you in a little bit.” She said as she walked out of the room.  “Hey babe?” he asked. “Yes?” I asked. “How long have you been in labor?” he asked. “I kind of felt some contractions yesterday and I thought I had some time so I pushed it out of my mind. The labor is much more intense now.” I said. “I know.” He said as his thumb massaged my hand. He kissed me and held my hand. “They are.” “Getting stronger and faster.” He said. I nodded. Around eleven am, the nurse came in. “I want to push.” I said. “Ok. Let me go get the doctor. Do not push until I get back.” She said. “Ok.” I said. *Jason’s POV.  Izzie wants to push. I am about to be a dad. We are going to be parents. I am so excited. *Izzie’s POV.  “Jason this hurts like heck.” I said, “I know. You are doing such a great job Baby. I am so proud of you. Hang on a little while longer.” He said as he kissed my forehead. “Ok.” I hissed as another contraction hit me. “Alright let’s have a baby.” Dr. Smith said. “Thank god.” I said. “Ok I am going to check you so don’t push ok?” She said as she sat on her little chair. “Ok. Now push a little bit.” She said. Jason took my hand. “Ok. Push . One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Ok breathe.” She said quietly. *Jason’s POV. Iz is squeezing the crap out of my hand. Dr. Smith came in and now is telling Iz to push. “Alright. Go again Izzie.” “No.” she said. “Jason talk to her. She is scared. Talk to her.” the nurse said. “Iz. You have to push again. You are doing so well. I am so proud of you. I love you. let’s have a baby.” I said. “Let’s have a baby.” She echoed me. “Let’s have a baby.” I said. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Ok breathe Izzie breathe.” Dr. Smith said. *Izzie’s POV. “Come on Iz. You can do this.” Jason said. He kissed my forehead. “Izzie if you need to let it out, let it out. Scream if you have to. Do anything you need to keep going.” The nurse Julie said. I looked at Jason and he nodded. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.” Dr. Smith said. Finally I let it out. I kept thinking that everyone would look at me. “Good Izzie. Good. Your baby is crowning. Push again. I want to try to deliver the head. Page NICU.” “We are almost there. Keep going Iz.” Jason said. “Good. Keep going.” Dr. Smith said. “Jason.” I said. “What is it?” He asked. “We are going to have a baby.” I said. “Alright one more big push and we will have a baby.” Dr. Smith said. “Give me one more.” Jason said. “Ok.” “Waaahhhhhhh.” “Iz. Iz we have baby.” Jason said as he kissed me. Then my baby was placed on my chest. “Hi sweetie. I am your mommy. I love  you so much.” I said. I kissed her forehead. “Mom can we take her to weigh her?” Julie asked. “Jason go with her.” I said. “Ok.” He said. They then went to weigh Nikki. “Three pounds eight ounces. 16 inches long.” Jason said. My head was turned to my little girl. “Ok mom, we are going to take her to the NICU.” Julie said. “Jason.” I said. “I won’t leave her side.” He said as he kissed me and followed them to the NICU.  “You did great Izzie.” Dr. Smith said. “Thank you.” I said. Then the room was quiet. *Jason’s POV. I watched as Nikki was hooked to wires and had an IV put in. I stared at her as the nurses and doctors worked. “Mr. Toviano. Can we go back and talk with you and your wife about the baby?” “Sure.” I said as I took one last look at my daughter. *Izzie’s POV. “Jason, how is Nikki?” I asked. “Actually I wanted to talk to you about your daughter. My name is Dr. Adrienne Campbell.” A slim black woman said. “Is she ok?” I asked as Jason took my hand. “Your daughter is small. She seems stable. She is breathing on her own which is a good thing.” She said. “Can I see her?” I asked. “I’m sorry. You can’t see her until this evening.” She said as she walked out of the room. “Babe, what time was Nikki born?” I asked. “Twelve thirty six pm. On October 15th.” He said as he kissed my forehead.