Little darlin', it seems like years

 

When would these people ever leave? It felt never-ending. A lot like the labor pains came and went and yet she felt as if she could get used to this. Maybe. Angel was beginning to wonder if she'd ever dilate.

And finally, it happened. She could see the relief on her Dad's face. She knew he was grieving. Thinking of her mother. How it had been.

She wanted to grasp his hand, tell him everything was going to be OK, but she had Jared and he was being who she wanted him to be, ever so caring. Now if only she could stand his mother. Yes, she realized there were some things she was going to just have to get used to. It was useless to get so angry. After all, Fan was with her Dad now. 

Honestly, she didn't know why, but this was no time to ask. 

"Why don't you guys just go home," She didn't need them here in the birthing suite. This really wasn't a party.

The next thing she heard from Jared's brother Jake was that they'd all go to the all-night diner not so far from here. "We'll wait for some news?" He smiled.

She smiled back with a nod. Everyone left one by one, but not her father.

"Can I stay?" He practically had tears in his eyes.

"I don't want you to see me like this," she said.

"But..but I can't go," He told her as he held her hand, but Fan took his other hand.

"We'll be right outside," she said. "We'll be fine."

Her dad sighed as if he didn't like this one little bit. He gave her a kiss on the forehead just as a lower pain hit at the tip of her tailbone. It felt like an earthquake had hit. But she only nodded doing her best to smile. After they left, she could see Jared knew a nurse needed to be there. 

But the nurses were already coming and even the doctor stepped in. Yes, they were ready to deliver the baby.

"But, you'll need to stand up," he said.

Angel shook her head no, thinking for certain she'd crumble, but everyone came around and helped hold her up. It was time to push. Angel only grimaced.