Chapter 219: Rowen, Part 2

"Like all of my insides are trying to be ripped out of my body."

Making quick work of washing her hands, the doctor grabs some rubber gloves. "Well let's see if we can't get an estimate on how much longer we have, shall we? Can you hop up on this bed for me?"

Tiffany laughs humorlessly. "No. But I can do my best to climb up there."

"Good enough for me."

I help Tiffany get on the bed, taking a break when another contraction hits, and do my best to settle her. I'm exhausted from being up all night, but it's nothing compared to what she's going through. I understand why men in decades past stayed in the waiting rooms during this process. I feel so helpless.

Tiffany tenses and grabs my hand when the doctor puts her hand between her legs to check on her progress. I watch the doctor's face closely, looking for any indication that we're almost done, but what I see isn't encouraging. She doesn't look how I imagine a doctor getting ready to deliver a baby would be. There's no sense of urgency.