I was covered in sweat and I started breathing a little faster. The bed became soaked and the pain because unbearable. I shook Michael awake and he was in a panic.. Well, not at first.

Suesie: Mike.. Michael, wake up. Michael.

I was whimpering because of the pain. I slapped him so he'd wake up.

Michael: Sue? Why is the bed wet?

Suesie: I think my water just broke!

Michael: Oh my goodness! I'll call the ambulance!

Suesie: No, just drive me. I can't wait that long.

Michael: Okay, okay. Let's get you dressed.

Suesie: Grab some sweats and come on.

Michael got me situated and raced me down the stairs.

Michael: Come on baby. Breathe.

I started taking breaths. Deep breaths and I waited. Michael raced to the hospital and got me out and into the hospital as fast as he could.

Michael: Help me please! My wife is in labor!

The doctors immediately came out after the Secretary made a call and helped me get into a room.

Michael: Do you want me with you?

Suesie: Yes.

I bit my lip and tried not to scream. The pain comes and goes but when it comes back, it's stronger than before. Like my cycle only ten times worst. I was changed and laid on a bed. I moaned and kept biting my lip to keep quiet. I blew out air and I gripped the bed. Michael bit his lip and I could tell he was scared. I know he wanted to cry so bad but he didn't. He wanted to be strong for me. I Love him so much for that.

Michael: I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry you have to go through this pain. Baby, I wish we could switch places and I'd feel your pain or we'd feel it together.

Suesie: Its okay.. I get to.. give birth to a ha.. happy and h.. healthy baby.

I said between moans. I saw one tear fall from Michael's eye and I smiled at him.

Suesie: I'm okay. Really I am.

Michael: I just can't stand it..

Suesie: Think of it this way.. I'm moaning and.. doing all things we do.. when we.. So, don't cry, just imagine that.

I cannot believe I just said that.. I can't take it back either.

Michael: I would, but then something might happen.

He grinned as I moaned again.

Suesie: If it's too much.. just leave.. I won't get mad.

Michael: No, I'm staying right by your side.

Suesie: You're so sweet.

Michael: I Love You.

Suesie: I L-Love You too. Call Katherine.. Tell her I'm in labor.

Michael went to make the call after being very hesitant. I sent him out because I knew he couldn't take being in here with me. It took him a while to come back because instead of Katherine calling everyone else, she said she was on her way as soon as Michael said that I was in labor. So he had to call just about everybody else himself to tell them the news.

Michael: Sorry I took so long baby.

Suesie: Its alright.

Michael: Mother's on her way here along with everyone else.

Suesie: How do you know that?

Michael: I had to call them myself..

Suesie: Oh.

Michael: Baby, calm down.. I mean, take deep breaths.

Suesie: I'm doing that!

Michael: Okay, um..

Suesie: Get the nurse!

Michael sprinted out the door and got a nurse. She helped me out and put a towel on my head. She told me that walking helps and so I did. It actually did help but only a little bit. Michael rubbed my back and kept talking to me. Mother walked in on me walking and she stayed quiet as she smiled.

Michael: Mother!

I looked up.

Katherine: Hush Michael. It's good to see you both but I am not the subject at this point.

Suesie: Thanks.

She nodded. She helped me with everything else from there and soon, the whole family had came to see me one by one because the nurses didn't want me to flip out because I was crammed in there with a lot of people. Mother never pestered me and Michael just stayed beside me, supporting me and holding my hand.

12:39AM

Only about a hour later and already I feel like shit. When will this any come? The fact that I actually wanted this prevents me from saying things but sometimes they slip out.

Suesie: I'm never having sex with you again!

I said between moans. I can just hear what Michael would say. It's not sex, it's making love..

Michael: What?

Katherine: She doesn't mean it. Its the pain talking.

Suesie: Like hell I don't!

I covered my mouth and let two tears fall.

Suesie: I-.. I'm so sorry. Mother I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry.

She rubbed my shoulder and smiled.

Katherine: It's alright. I already know.

Michael: You don't mean that do you?

Suesie: Michael, what did I just say? Gosh, do you ever listen?

Katherine: He means what you said to him.

Suesie: Mother, I mean it. I'm not having another baby with this man. I love your son very much but this.. Oh my goodness.

I turned onto my knees on the bed and put my face down into the pillow. I moaned loud and long which escalated into a cry.

Katherine: It's okay sweetheart.

Suesie: How did you do it? All nine of them! How? This one hurts so bad!

Katherine: Michael was the worst because has a weird shaped head.. Like an apple.

Michael: Mom..

I laughed before it turned into a moan.

Suesie: Applehead.

Michael: Baby..

Suesie: Momma why? Oh God! This will be our only child, I swear!

Remember how I said I never call Katherine my momma? I never lied about that.

Katherine: If this will be my only grandchild from you, then I will spoil them with love.

Suesie: As will I Mother and I promise you, this is where we STOP!

I screamed in pain and then moaned. The nurse came in and checked me. I'm not dilated enough..

Suesie: It's enough for me!

1:36AM

I calm down and the pains stop and then come back. Minor pains now and I'm grateful. I was covered in sweat and breathing heavily. I wanted to sleep and I couldn't. I'd lay down and close my eyes then I'd moan again. So, I decided to sing to the baby to calm them down and to stop hurting me. You know the song the mother sang to Moses in The Prince Of Egypt? That's what I attempted to sing.

Suesie: Hush now, my baby.
Be still love, don't cry.

Michael joined me and came over to me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and rubbed my stomach with the other hand.

Katherine: The perfect family is right before my eyes.

Michael: Motrher. Really?

She nodded and I managed to smile before my eyes closed and I fell back into Michael's arms tired and weak.

Michael: Suzanne! Baby are you okay?

Suesie: J-Just tired.

2:25AM

The nurse comes in again and checks me once more. She squad that I'm almost ready to give birth, just a few more hours.. Really? Oh wow! Thank you! Hours! Oh I can't thank you enough! As of hours says anything about nothing..

Katherine: Don't fall asleep Suzanne.

Michael: Why can't she sleep?

Katherine: I know that face. If she does, she won't wake up.

Michael: What?

Katherine: She'll pass out and they'll have to give birth by force.

Michael: By force?

Katherine: Pressing on her stomach.

Michael: Baby stay awake, please!

Suesie: My goodness, calm down.. I'm fine. Goodness it's hot..

Mother smiled.

Katherine: She's normal now.

Suesie: God, I want this baby out! I want this baby out now!

Katherine: They'll be here and they'll get out of you. And when they do, you'll be glad you did this.

Suesie: I know Mother but the pain.. I always thought I'd have a quiet birth..

Katherine: That's a little bit of irony, don't you think?

Suesie: Maybe a little..

3:56AM

Suesie: Am I dilated yet?

Katherine: No.

Suesie: How about now?

Katherine: Listen Suzanne, birth is a beautiful thing.

Suesie: And painful..

She smiled.

Katherine: Yes. Very. But the beautiful thing is that it's worth it.

Suesie: Mother, where's that nurse?

Katherine: I'm not sure. Michael.

Michael: Yes?

Katherine: Go see if the nurse is out there.

Michael went after blowing me a kiss.

Suesie: Can I push now?

Katherine: No.

Suesie: Mother..

I moaned again. Then I promised myself I didn't cry once I started pushing.

Michael: She's coming.

Katherine: Good because Suzanne here is very anxious.

Suesie: Every hour on the hour is when she's supposed to come!

She came in after a while and check again. Not yet, she says but I'm almost there. She'll give me another hour.. Great..

4:47AM

Not yet but still another half hour.. I think this baby will forever remain in my stomach.

5:57AM

I'm just about ready to burst when the nurse comes in and checks one last time. I'm ready! Hallelujah! I'm ready to meet my baby! Michael stood beside me and they spread my legs. Katherine left because the doctors all said that it'd be too crowded if she stayed and that only one person could stay with me throughout this birth process.

The moment of truth is finally here! I was beyond ready for this moment. They told me what to do and I did it. Push! They said an  I did about four times until they saw the baby's head. I kept going, no sounds, no tears.. Okay.. Maybe one fell. Still sweaty, I pushed a few more times and then I heard the most beautiful sound. A baby's first cry. It was my baby's first cry. Michael kissed me and when I looked at him, he was pale but smiling.

Doctor: Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Jackson. It's a girl.

I smiled and Michael put his forehead against mine and kissed me.

Michael: Thank you.

Suesie: For what?

Michael: For a beautiful daughter. A happy and healthy baby.

Doctor: Would you like to cut the umbilical cord?

Suesie: Michael?

Michael: You go ahead. Too much blood for me.

I laughed and cut it. She cried and I held her.

Suesie: I Love You.. Mommy loves you so much, you know that? So much. Michael?

Michael: Can I hold her?

Suesie: Take her.

Michael sat down with her and calmed her down. It's like he was a natural. He looked down at her and then she began to cry again.

Michael: What's wrong Princess?

Katherine: She's hungry. Give her back to Suzanne.

Suesie: Come to momma.

I began to try and feed her while Mother helped assist me on how to do it. Michael just sat there in his chair and watched as he smiled.

Michael: I Love You Suzanne.

Suesie: I Love You Too.

Katherine: I'll give you some alone time. I Love You both and the new addition to the family. Goodbye.

Michael: Bye Mother.

Suesie: Goodbye Mother.

Michael: Suzanne?

Suesie: Yes Michael?

Michael: I have a question to ask you that I've been meaning to ask..

Suesie: Ask me.

Michael: Since the party..

Suesie: Party! Oh my goodness! Happy Birthday Michael!

He smiled.

Michael: Thank you baby..

Suesie: I'm sorry, go ahead.

Michael: I um.. Will you.. Marry me?

I laughed.

Suesie: Michael, we're already married.

Michael: But I wanna make things right. To have a nice wedding with family, friends and pictures.. And a honeymoon.

Suesie: Really?

Michael: Yes. To finally see you in a wedding dress and me in a tuxedo. Flower girls and rice being thrown and a big wedding cake..

He reached into his pocket.

Michael: And a ring..

Suesie: Why are you surprising me on your birthday?

Michael: Because you gave me the greatest gift of all.. Actually two..

Suesie: Which are?

Michael: A beautiful wife who loves me and a beautiful daughter. So let's do it.. Let's get married.. again.

I smiled. The door opened and someone came in.

Suesie: Yes!

I hugged him and kissed him.

LaToya: What's going on in here?

Michael: We're getting married..

Suesie: Again.

Michael: The proper way.

LaToya: When?

Michael: We don't know yet.

Suesie: How about My birthday or June?

Michael: Sounds great honey.

LaToya: I'm there. Where's my little one?

LaToya came close and smiled.

Suesie: It's a girl.

LaToya: There she is! What's her name?

I looked at Michael and he nodded.

Suesie: Leona.. Leona-.

Michael: Aaliyah Jackson..

Michael interrupted.. But that's not even what I planned her middle name to be.

Suesie: Leona Aaliyah Jackson.

LaToya: She's beautiful. You both did a great job!

I blushed.

Suesie: Thank you.

LaToya: When's the next one coming? Next year?

Michael: Hopefully.

Suesie: No! No more babies. Tonight was painful and I'm tired.

LaToya: Are you ready to go home now?

Suesie: Definitely.

LaToya: Get dressed because I know you're tired.

I looked at Michael.

Michael: Very.

Suesie: Very.

We said at the same time causing LaToya to laugh.

LaToya: I will see you tomorrow.

Michael: You mean today?

LaToya: No, tomorrow. I'm tired too and I want to spend every moment with my niece. But that starts tomorrow.

Michael: Farewell Toya.

LaToya: Farewell Appleheaded father.

Michael laughed and she left. We had a lot more visitors come in to say hello and then when everyone left, we left also. I'm happy to present to the world, my first living and breathing child, Leona Aaliyah Jackson.