The night was heavy with anticipation. Nancy had been resting for most of the evening, feeling the familiar fluttering of her daughter moving inside her. But now, a sharp, persistent pain jolted through her abdomen, taking her breath away.
David, who had been sitting close by, noticed immediately. "Nancy? Are you okay?" His voice was calm but tense, the calm only masking the storm of worry behind his eyes.
Nancy gritted her teeth, pressing a hand to her stomach. "It's time… I think the baby's coming, David."
His eyes widened. "Now? Are you sure?"
She nodded, trying to breathe through the sudden wave of pain. "Yes… I can feel it. Go get the bags. I'm ready."
David moved like lightning, panic and adrenaline driving his every movement. He ran to grab the hospital bags they had packed weeks ago, his hands trembling as he double-checked everything. "Okay, okay… we've got this," he muttered under his breath, trying to steady himself.
Nancy leaned against the bedpost, gripping it tightly as another contraction rolled through her. She hissed softly, then took a deep breath, grounding herself. "David… stay calm. I need you with me."
He rushed back to her side, kneeling on the floor to hold her hand. "I'm here, Nancy. I'm right here. You're not alone." His voice broke slightly. "I… I'm so proud of you."
She smiled through the pain, squeezing his hand. "You're going to be a father… our daughter will have the best father."
David's lips quivered, and tears glimmered in his eyes. "I don't know how I'll survive this," he admitted, voice shaking. "I can't… I can't imagine losing you."
Nancy placed a gentle hand on his cheek, pressing her forehead to his. "I'm not going anywhere. Focus on our daughter. That's why I'm strong, David. For her… and for you."
Another contraction hit, stronger this time. Nancy let out a sharp cry, gripping his hand even tighter. "It's happening… it's really happening!"
David held her close, whispering encouragement between her cries. "You're amazing… I can't believe this is finally happening… our little girl…"
Soon, the ambulance arrived. Nurses and doctors moved quickly, guiding Nancy and David through the hospital corridors. David never left her side, helping her into the wheelchair, brushing a hand over her hair, murmuring words of love and reassurance.
In the delivery room, Nancy's strength shone. Each contraction was a battle, but she faced them with quiet determination, with David's hand never leaving hers. He whispered over and over: "You've got this… I love you… I love you both."
Hours passed like a blur of pain, courage, and anticipation. And through it all, Nancy's resolve never wavered. She bore the risk, the fear, the exhaustion—because she carried not just life, but hope, love, and a future she had longed for.
And somewhere in that pain, in that trembling, in the cries and murmurs, the world held its breath for the first time, waiting for the moment when their daughter would arrive.