“Push!” Christopher screamed, his voice cracking from his throat like it was being ripped out of his chest. “Push, baby, come on…please..”just one more!”
Vivian’s body convulsed beneath him.
She was soaked in blood. Her dress torn, clinging to her skin like second flesh. Her legs were spread wide on the floor, trembling, covered in sweat and amniotic fluid.
Every muscle in her body was locking. Her back arched. Her jaw clenched. She screamed through clenched teeth, tears streaking down her cheeks like acid.
“Aaaaargh!” she sobbed. “It hurts! Oh God…it hurts…Chris…I can’t…I can’t do this…”
“Yes you can,” he cried, kneeling between her legs, Lucy cradled tightly against his chest with one arm while the other was cupped between Vivian’s thighs, catching the baby’s crowning head.
“You
