Chapter 20 Labor Room

• I woke up to a strange, rhythmic tapping. It took me a moment to realize it was my own fingers, drumming nervously on the edge of the hospital bed. The labor room was a symphony of beeps, whispers, and the occasional sharp cry. I blinked against the harsh overhead lights and focused on the soft, encouraging voice of the nurse beside me.
• "You're doing great, Maya," she said, her eyes crinkling with a warmth that reminded me of my grandmother. "Just breathe."
• Breathe. It sounded so simple, yet every breath felt like an impossible task. I closed my eyes, trying to drown out the noise and focus on the life that was about to enter this world. My child. A mix of fear and excitement surged through me, making my heart race faster than it ever had before.