Chapter 65

Shannon screaming. Doctor says "Just a few more pushes."
Shannon says "How many's a few?"
Charlie says "Keep calm." Shannon glares at Charlie. "What?"
Louisa says "You're doing great. You need to keep going a little while longer."
Shannon screams, squeezes Charlie's arm and says "Why aren't you as helpful as your sister?"
Charlie says "I'm trying but everytime I open my mouth I'm wrong."
Louisa says "Argueing won't help."
Shannon screams. Doctor says "I can see the head. One more push."
Shannon says "You'd better be right."
Shannon pushes and screams. Doctor says "That's it."
There's a baby's cry. The nurses take the baby and start to sort Shannon out. Shannon says "Thank god for that. I'm so tired."
Charlie says "You did great."
Louisa says "What is it?"
Doctor says "It's a boy. Do you want to hold him?"
Shannon says "I can't, I'm too tired."
Charlie says "Don't you want to see him?"
Shannon says "Of course I do. You hold him."
Charlie says "Me? What if I drop him?"
Doctor says "All fathers feel like that but they're alway fine."
Shannon says "Go on, honey. It'll be ok."
Louisa says "Yeah, show us how it's done, dad."
Charlie says "Fine. Ok."
Doctor passes the baby to Charlie. Charlie leans towards Shannon with the baby. Louisa says "He's gorgeous."
Shannon says "Takes after his mom."
A nurse says "I'm sorry but I'm going to have to take him and ask you both to leave."
Louisa says "Why?"
Nurse says "We have to do a few tests and get Shannon cleaned up."
Charlie says "What tests?"
Nurse says "Nothing serious. Just procedure."
Shannon says "Charlie, it's ok."
Charlie gives the baby to the nurse. Charlie says "If you need us..."
Shannon says "I'll ask for you."
Louisa says "I'll make sure she doesn't run away again."
Shannon says "Somehow I don't think anyone will let her do that again."