Down the Rabbit Hole (Stuck On You)

Chapter 40: Just Like Hayden

A week passed with me mopping 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 feed me to 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 to me again.

"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 to me quickly. 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 for me full 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 letting me out of their sight any time soon. Jason can charging down the stairs with the prep bag. Luca grabbed the keys and started leading me to the garage.

He looked at

"What's wrong?" he asked.

sit in the car with my pants all wet," I

I pulled

go

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

down the hallway, I stopped as my face contorted in pain. "Ow," I breathed. I felt

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

My breathing was becoming labored as pushing became harder. I yelled and closed my eyes as I pushed again. My hair

delivery room

Luca went to go scrub in. They set me up in the delivery bed and put my feet in stirrups. I was in too much pain to question it. The doctor told me to 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. "Come on,

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

"What?" I asked hoarsely.

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

that she was a stillborn. If I had to lose one more person in this life, I would go so far off of the