Arrival

Tick, tock, tick, tock.

Thirty seconds I counted. Waiting for my cue.

Tick, tock, tick tock.

` Counting the duration while she gauged the intensity.

Tick, tock, tick tock.

It had been hours. Though it felt like minutes. I only knew it was longer because of the counting. Waiting, anticipating and sticking to my role. Not leaving her side. Counting and encouraging. Knowing though that she has the hardest job.

Tick, tock, tick tock.

Forty-five seconds. They were longer now and I could tell by the expression on her face, the concentration that every second was more painful than the last. Then nothing. The silence overwhelming.

Tick, tock, tick tock.

The only sound I can hear in the room coming from the clock. Concentrating. Here we go again.

Tick, tock, tick tock.

Forty-five seconds.

“More painful than the last?” I ask already knowing the answer.

Her eyes tell me yes. She nods for clarity, holding her back and coping with the pain. “Who ever said this was going to be easy?” she whispers.

I give a gentle smile.

Sixty seconds. And the time in between is now fifteen seconds at most.

“Faster, longer and more painful. That's what they wanted.” she says through the pain. Tick, tock, tick tock.

I hold on to her hand tightly. Approaching the end game. Still counting and tracking every

second. Her eyes the embodiment of pain as the pain comes and goes. Comes and goes.

Her beautiful blue eyes have told me everything throughout the hours of pain. And now they

are telling me one last thing. “This is it.” I thought.

Her grip on my hand tightens. Cutting off any circulation I have left. The screams as she can feel the arrival. Loud, intense and full of purpose.

Tick, tock, tick tock.

The screams turn to a cry and moments later presents to me the greatest gift she could ever have given to me.

Our son.