Over the following two weeks Toby, Naria, and Felice helped Melinda daily, alternating between sucking on her nipples to toughen them up and fisting her vagina to limber it up. They loved every minute of it, as did Melinda. Few mothers-to-be had the attention lavished on them by their closest friends, and Melinda appreciated it all. The room was ready in every detail, Mila had a big selection of clothes, and there were diapers, wipes, and everything necessary to welcome a child into the world. Naria, Felice, and Toby had seen to that.
Toby also thought of another important detail. Their bedroom was the furthest from the baby's room, so it would be difficult for Melinda to sleep there and hear Mila when she cried, even though they installed a baby monitor. Toby suggested Melinda sleep in the bedroom next to the baby's room, and they would each take turns sleeping with her, and helping change Mila during the night. Melinda would be breastfeeding, so they couldn't help with that, but they could bring the baby to her, so she didn't have to get up.
Melinda felt pampered, and Mila would be pampered, no pun intended. They were all surprised when Melinda started feeling discomfort three weeks early.
"You don't look well, Melinda," said Felice. "You ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. The baby just jumped, I think. Oh! Oh my!"
"What?" Toby moved to her side, his hand on Melinda's arm. "What was it?" Melinda sucked in a big breath.
"Oh, oh!" Melinda stood to walk and immediately her water broke. "Oh no!"
"Toby, you get Melinda to the car; Felice and I will get her bag and meet you there." Naria and Felice hurried off as Toby took Melinda by the arm and helped her to the vehicle. The ladies were not far behind; Toby sat with Melinda in the back seat and Naria drove as fast as she dared to the hospital. Felice called ahead and a nurse met them at the emergency entrance with a wheelchair and ushered Melinda and Toby to a private room.
Felice had also called Carlos, and he walked in a few minutes later. Carlos waited outside while nurses began preparing Melinda for the birth, and they brought him in when she was almost ready to deliver. He set up his video camera, ready to move into position at the last minute. Melinda was having pains closer and closer, while Toby held her hand and helped time her breathing.
"Oh God, Oh my God!" Melinda squeezed Toby's hand harder.
"You're doing great, Melinda," said the doctor. "Push! Here she comes!" Melinda grunted and pushed, alternating with groans of pain.
"Uunngghhhh! Oooohhh! Oowww! Unngghhh!"
"You're doing great, Melinda!" Toby talked quietly, still encouraging Melinda to push hard.
"Almost," said the doctor. "One final huge push, Melinda." Melinda took a deep breath, grunted loudly, and groaned as Mila plopped out of her vagina. Mila immediately began to cry as the doctor helped Toby cut the umbilical cord.
"You did it! You were wonderful, Melinda!" Toby wiped his hands and leaned in to kiss and hug Melinda; Melinda cried with relief and happiness.
"I can't believe it! Where is my baby?" The nurse quickly cleaned Mila and handed her to Melinda, laying the baby on Melinda's naked breast.
"Carlos, get a picture of me with the baby and Toby, then you can leave," said Melinda, barely over a whisper. She wiped tears from her eyes before Carlos snapped the pictures, then he left.
"We did it, Toby!" Melinda grinned up at him. "I couldn't have done it without you and the ladies. When they get me cleaned up, please bring them in. They are family!" The nurses finished and left, so Toby brought Naria and Felice in. They each hugged and kissed Melinda and had to hold and kiss Mila.
"What a beautiful baby we have!" Naria was beaming. "I think she looks like me." That brought a laugh from everybody.
"She has my eyes," said Toby. "And Felice's cheeks."
