Chapter 492 - 423: A Woman’s Hurdle (Part 3)
Chapter 492: Chapter 423: A Woman’s Hurdle (Part 3)
"Ah!"
The black energy latched onto his body, then instantly burrowed into Joel Bloom and vanished. It happened so quickly it felt like an illusion.
Joel Bloom himself only felt a daze for a moment before recovering completely.
Inside, Lex Cross sensed the abnormality in Joel Bloom’s energy after he absorbed that surge of Death Energy.
But right now, he had more important things to worry about.
Flora Bloom was already limp with pain in his arms, unable to move.
He had never seen Flora so weak and listless, looking as if she could pass out at any second.
"Flora, what can I do to make this easier for you?"
Flora was in too much pain to even turn her head. Maeve Preston had told her she was only three fingers dilated, and she needed to be fully dilated to ten for a smooth delivery.
"I’m... fine." Flora gritted her teeth. Watching Shelton Underwood’s body completely disintegrate outside, a weight was lifted from her heart. But she had also sensed the black Death Energy enter Joel Bloom. She just didn’t have any strength left.
Outside, Jade couldn’t help but cry as she watched her daughter’s pale and pained expression. Not knowing how to help, she could only cover her mouth to stifle her sobs.
Maeve Preston continued to monitor Flora’s dilation and check the baby’s position.
Another hour passed.
Flora’s dilation progressed slowly.
Night fell. Eight hours had passed since Flora’s water broke and her contractions started.
Everyone had returned. Jade and Caleb Bloom had been standing at the entrance to the villa for eight hours straight.
Lex Cross had been by Flora’s side, squatting and holding her hand, for eight hours.
The color had long since drained from Flora’s face, yet she stubbornly and bravely endured the pain.
The feeling of her pelvis being pulled apart was an agony beyond words. Tears streamed down her face, and even her breathing became ragged.
Watching her, his own heart ached.
"Flora, I’m so sorry!"
Flora felt a hot drop of liquid on the back of her hand. Looking at Lex Cross’s handsome, usually stoic face, her lips twitched into a pained smile. "You’re being silly."
’No matter how much it hurts, she would bring Polly into this world again, healthy. She would make sure she grew up quickly and safely.’
After eight hours, Flora was seven fingers dilated. Her clothes were completely soaked with sweat. And in all those eight hours, aside from her steady breathing and deep breaths, she hadn’t cried out in pain once.
’What was this, really? In her past life, she had nearly died giving birth to Polly. That tearing pain, etched into her very marrow, was a memory she could never forget.’
"You’re doing great, Flora! You’re at seven fingers now. Once you’re fully dilated to ten, you can start pushing!"
...
"Eight fingers..."
...
Cynthia Grant fought back tears as she and Shelly wiped the sweat from Flora’s brow. Though Cynthia was a doctor, this was her first time assisting with a birth. She witnessed both Flora’s frailty and her incredible fortitude.
Seeing Flora like this made her heart ache with both pity and fear.
"Flora, you can do it! Eight fingers now, you’ll be at ten soon!"
"Ngh!"
With a violent contraction, Flora felt a gush of fluid from between her legs. By now, the pain had made her somewhat numb. She asked, "Maeve...?"
Maeve Preston’s voice was a mix of joy and urgency. "Ten fingers, Flora, you’re at ten! Listen to me and follow my rhythm. When I tell you to push, you have to push with all your might. Understand?"
Flora managed a soft "Mm," and with that, the second stage of labor began.
"Deep breath..."
"..."
"Good..."
As another contraction hit, Maeve continued, "Push!"
"..."
"Good, relax... Deep breath!"
"..."
Flora mechanically followed Maeve’s instructions, her contractions coming faster and faster.
Maeve’s expression was tense as she focused on her task. "Flora, your amniotic fluid is nearly gone, and your contractions are getting stronger. You need to work with me to get this baby out as quickly as possible. Can you do that?"
Flora gritted her teeth and grunted. The searing pain made her vision swim, and the contractions intensified.
"Okay... Inhale..."
"..."
"Very good, Flora, push..."
"..."
"I can see the baby’s head! Flora, let’s go again, hang in there!"
While observing the delivery, Maeve called over to Shelly and Cynthia Grant. "Shelly, Cynthia, prepare hot water, towels, and scissors!"
"Okay, okay!"
"Right away!"
The two ran off. In just a moment, Shelly had the towels and other postpartum necessities ready, thanks to Flora having prepared everything so thoroughly in advance.
Meanwhile, Cynthia Grant carried a basin to the doorway and had Neal Wallace use his superpower to heat the water. Within seconds, it was hot but not scalding to the touch.