Maude Vézina

Where there is love.

Light, then darkness. Smell of blood, green shirts, metal tools. Andy’s gaze on mine, the lower part of his face hidden underneath a green mask matching his hospital gown. One last push; my whole body burning, stretching, aching, crying. I heard the sound as it came down from me, plop, then mustering my last strength I straightened my upper body barely enough, touching the sticky, hairy head with one trembling hand. « It's a girl! », they told me, while laying her against me. My eyes filled with tears and sweat. Wind was banging against the window panes, the fiery dawn light piercing through the glass, touching the bloody head now resting on my breast. Andy leaned towards us, his lips pressed on my forehead, then his broad hand landed on the small body. I could feel the warm flow of blood flowing from inside my thighs when they told me « The placenta has been delivered ». I already knew that, being a midwife. But for that time only, I was the patient.