Santa Cruz Hospital - Maternity Ward - 3 AM
The contractions started mildly.
Every ten minutes. Then eight. Then five.
"How dilated are you?" I asked the surprisingly calm nurse.
"Four centimeters," she replied. "There's still a way to go. The first time can take hours."
Hours.
Enzo was by my side, holding my hand as if his life depended on it.
"Are you okay? Do you need anything? Water? Ice? Should I call the doctor?" He was more nervous than I was.
"Enzo," I smiled. "Breathe. I'm fine. It's... a natural process. Women have been doing this for millennia."
"But you haven't," he said. "And I... I don't know how to help."
"You're here," I replied. "That already helps. Just... stay. And distract me. Tell me something. Anything."
"About what?"
"About... about you," I suggested. — Enzo, I realize I know everything about my life. My family. My drama. But you... you've always been so... reserved. Tell me something. Something you've never told me.
