Chapter 7: The arrival

Two months had flown by in a blur of anticipation and preparation. Clara's once tentative steps had become more assured as she neared the end of her pregnancy. The house was a hive of activity, filled with the clamor of final preparations and the constant hum of excitement. On this particular day, Clara found herself alone in her room, the soft light of the early afternoon filtering through the curtains. Mark had left for work briefly, his assistant's call pulling him back to the office despite his planned leave. It had been a sudden and urgent matter, and though Mark had reluctantly agreed, he had promised to return as soon as possible. Clara lay on her bed, her thoughts occupied with the impending arrival of her babies. She reached for her laptop to catch up on some light reading, hoping to distract herself from the mounting discomfort. However, as she tried to boot up the device, it sputtered and died with an ominous crack. Frustration welled up within her as she fumbled with the laptop, trying to get it to turn back on. The screen remained stubbornly black. In her growing agitation,suddenly a sharp, insistent pain made her gasp. **Her water had broken.** Panic began to rise as she realized that this was it—the moment she had been preparing for was finally here.Clara reached for the bedside alert button, her fingers trembling as she pressed it. The mechanical voice activated, summoning the maid to her room. As Clara lay back against the pillows, breathing through the contractions, she tried to steady herself. Her thoughts raced with anxiety. Within minutes, the maid hurried into the room, her face showing concern as she assessed Clara's situation. "What's wrong, Clara?"The maid's face was a mask of concern as she quickly assessed the situation. Realizing the urgency, she grabbed the house phone and dialed Mark's number, her hands shaking slightly."Mr. Mark, it's an emergency. Clara's going into labor. We need you to come back immediately!" she said, her voice urgent and strained.As the maid spoke on the phone, Clara's contractions grew stronger. Her breathing became more labored, and she clutched the bedposts for support. She tried to stay focused, but the pain was overwhelming.The maid hurriedly summoned the other servants, who, under the maid's direction, prepared to move Clara. Together, they carefully helped her out of the room and began the precarious journey downstairs. The stairs seemed to stretch endlessly, each step a challenge as Clara struggled to keep her composure.The maid made a quick call to an ambulance, providing the necessary details as they carefully transported Clara through the house. The sound of the approaching sirens grew louder, and the urgency of their situation became palpable.Meanwhile, Mark was at his desk, his mind divided between work and the impending birth of his children. He glanced at his phone and noticed the missed call and voicemail from the maid. His heart raced as he listened to her message, the words hitting him like a freight train.Back at the house, the servants guided Clara into the waiting ambulance, the paramedics working efficiently to make her comfortable. Clara, despite her discomfort, felt a sense of relief as the ambulance doors closed and the vehicle began its journey to the hospital. As the ambulance sped through the streets, Mark's car pulled up to the hospital entrance. He dashed into the building, his eyes scanning the bustling lobby for any sign of Clara. The urgency of the situation left him breathless as he approached the reception desk. "I'm here for Clara Smith," he said, his voice urgent and anxious. "She's in labor. Where is she?" The receptionist quickly consulted her computer, then directed Mark to the labor and delivery floor. He rushed down the corridor, his heart pounding in his chest. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on him, but his resolve was unwavering. Mark reached the labor and delivery area, where he spotted a nurse. "Please, where's Clara?" The nurse's expression softened with empathy as she pointed toward a door. "She's in labor room 3. You can go in, but please be aware it's a busy time." Mark nodded gratefully and hurried down the hallway. He reached the door of room 3 and pushed it open, stepping inside. The sight that met him was both overwhelming and reassuring. Clara lay on the delivery bed, surrounded by medical staff, her face etched with both pain and determination. Without hesitation, Mark moved to Clara's side. Their eyes met, and in that instant, the connection between them was palpable. Despite the chaos of the moment, Mark's presence seemed to anchor Clara. "Mark," Clara said softly, her voice trembling but filled with relief. Mark took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm here. We're going to get through this together." As the medical team continued their work, Mark stayed close to Clara, his support unwavering. The room was filled with the sounds of labor and the steady rhythm of Clara's breathing. The arrival of their children was imminent, and with each passing moment, the anticipation grew. In that busy, bustling room, with the intensity of the moment hanging thick in the air, Mark and Clara shared a look of profound love and determination. Their journey was about to take a new turn, and they were ready to embrace the arrival of their long-awaited babies.

©Beersheba