Down the Rabbit Hole (Stuck On You)

Chapter 40: Just Like Hayden A week passed withmopping around the house. I couldn't help it; I'd just lost someone I'd planned to spend the rest of my life with. Luca had to practically force feedto make sure I was eating. I tried to grieve and move on like Jason said, but I just couldn't. I was sitting on the stool in the kitchen while Luca was making dinner. I stared into my glass of ice water and watched the condensation form little droplets.

"Jo," Luca said lightly. I looked up and him and sat that he was done. "Food's ready," he said again. I picked up the spoon and started eating the chicken noodle soup in front of me.

"Thanks," I muttered. Luca hesitated before he turned toagain.

"I went ahead and planned the funeral. I know Jason was pushing you to do it, but... now you don't have to worry about it," he explained softly. My eyes were watery from the word 'funeral'. I didn't know whether to thank him or slap him for bringing it up. I settled on not saying anything. I hoped off of the stood and froze as a flow of water released itself from between my legs.

"Uh oh," I breathed. Luca turned toquickly. He couldn't see anything because he was still on the other side of the island.

"What was that?" he asked.

"My water just broke," I said softly. Luca's eyes widened as he walked around to check. I held the bottom of my huge stomach.

"Jason! Grab the bag," Luca yelled. They'd put together a labor bag forfull of all the things I would need when I go into labor. They had already even started turning the guest room into a nursery. I don't think they were planning on lettingout of their sight any tsoon. Jason can charging down the stairs with the prep bag. Luca grabbed the keys and started leadingto the garage.

"Wait," I stopped him. He looked atworried.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I don't want to sit in the car with my pants all wet," I said. Luca rolled his eyes.

"That doesn't matter; con," he said. I pulled away from him and started for the stairs.

"I'm going to go change," I said.

"You've got to be kidding me. Jason, go start the car. Jordyn, con, you are being completely irrational right now. We need to get you to the hospital. You're going into labor, does that not register with you?" he asked. I held my stomach as I walked up the stairs. Luca grabbed my arm and helped me. I guess he realized that the sooner I changed clothes, the sooner we could leave. I changed into a maxi dress and flip flops. Luca turned away while I changed my underwear.

"Now we can go," I said. Halfway down the hallway, I stopped as my face contorted in pain. "Ow," I breathed. I felt a pressure pushing down.

"Con, Jo, you just have to make it to the car," Luca said. I felt another contraction and held on to the wall. Luca scoopedup and carriesthe rest of the way. Jason opened the door for him. This wasn't the car I was expecting. It was the van. Luca laiddown in the seat and got in with me. Jason sped off before the door was even closed. Luca got the door closed and we were on our way. At a stoplight, a police officer pulled up beside us. I was beyond in pain by this point. I couldn't help it, I started to push. I yelled as beads of sweat started to form on my forehead. Whoever said that childbirth was a beautiful thing forgot to mention how painful it was. It felt like I was starting to be split in two. I'm pretty sure that it was too late for any pain meds by this point. Jason asked the police officer for an escort and he gave it to us gladly. Next thing I know, doctors and nurses are rushinginto the hospital.

"Call my dad," I yelled to Jason. My breathing was becoming labored as pushing becharder. I yelled and closed my eyes as I pushed again. My hair was starting to matt to the sides of my face. I gripped the nearest thing.

"You can have one person in the delivery room with you," the doctor informed me.

"Luca," I breathed. They pushedinto a delivery room while Luca went to go scrub in. They setup in the delivery bed and put my feet in stirrups. I was in too much pain to question it. The doctor toldto push. Luca held my hand and I squeezed it as hard as I could. I took a deep breath before I pushed. I pushed for as long as I could before I had to breathe again. I probably pushed about six times. It was becoming a very slow process. It was already way pass painful. I started crying as I shook my head. I couldn't do it anymore. "Con, one more big push," the doctor encouraged me. I shook my head. I didn't want to push anymore.

"Just one more, Jo; you can do this," Luca said. He gave my hand a light squeeze. I took a few deep breaths before I gave one last push. I held it longer than normal. I let out a yell just as all the pressure was released from me. I sighed and tried to catch my breath as I let my head fall back onto the bed. I was exhausted and lightheaded. Luca got to cut the cord before they took my baby away. Luca smiled at me. He had tears in his eyes that I didn't understand.

"What?" I asked hoarsely.

"She's beautiful," he breathed. "Good job, Jo," he said. Despite my tired, sweaty nature, Luca leaned forward and kissed my head. His lips lingered for a moment before he pulled away. I just remembered that my baby wasn't crying when she cout. I thought babies were supposed to cry. A nurse was bustling around. I stopped her. "Where's my baby?" I asked. The nurse hesitated and I felt my stomach drop. My first thought was that she was a stillborn. If I had to lose one more person in this life, I would go so far off of the deep end that no one would be able to save me.

The nurse smiled atwarmly. "I believe that they're getting her and her paperwork in order now," she said. I sighed in relief.

A moment later, they brought out my baby girl. I smiled as happy tears stung my eyes as they placed her in my arms. I stared at her beautiful face. She had Hayden's icy blue eyes and dark brown hair. Her hair was! thick but straight like Hayden's. Her En eyes were doe-like and curious. She had my face; high cheek-bones, a slightly pointed chin and almond eyes. Her skin was more like Hayden's. She looked just like Hayden only she had thick brown hair. Her little face suddenly started turning bright red as she started to scream. I only smiled at her. She was probably hungry. I adjusted myself before I started feeding her. Luca put a hand on my shoulder as he kissed the side of my head.

"You did a great job, Jo. She's beautiful... she looks just like you," Luca smiled. After I finished feeding her, I let Luca hold her. He smiled down at her as he rocked her gently. He started baby-talking to her. I chuckled softly and watched them. Luca looked completely in love. He looked atwith the slook before he gave her back to me. He hesitated before his lips brushed against mine gently. I, surprisingly, let him. I kissed him back gently before I pulled away to look down at the beautiful baby Hayden and I created. I would always miss and love Hayden, but Jason was right. If I was going to ever be happy in my life, I had to open my heart to love again... and that's exactly what I was going to do; starting with my beautiful baby and Luca. I could do that much. But I would always remember Hayden. This was my closure. The nurse cin with a piece of paper I perceived to be my baby's birth certificate.

"Do you know what you want to nher?" the nurse asked. I nodded and looked at her, then to Luca m before looked to the nurse. I knew exactly what I wanted to nher. I thought that I knew what I wanted to nher before, but now I really knew. I knew exactly what I wanted to nher. "Hayden," I smiled softly. "Hayden Annalea Campbell." X