Flash Marriage: Shrewd Wife, Devious Husband
Chapter 222: It’s Time

Chapter 222: It’s Time

On the day of the counting of votes, Marcella woke up early. Her due date was only three weeks away. She couldn’t sleep and she had to wake up for bathroom breaks often.

Not only that, she was kind of feeling bloated the previous day and her back was hurting too. She talked to Mary about it and Mary had a feeling that her labor pain might have started.

Marcella was a little scared hearing that, but Mary assured her after hearing the symptoms that the baby wouldn’t come at least for a couple of days judging by her symptoms. Apparently, it will take a lot of time for the first delivery.

Marcella hoped that were the case. If the baby came out on the day of the counting, Tony would stay with her and it won’t be proper. Tony must be with his people at the counting station.

In the early morning, however, Marcella could feel the pain intensifying. She touched her belly and she could feel it getting rock-hard at regular intervals.

Her contractions had started.

There were a couple of interns staying in their house and you need. hey were all awake by the time Marcella found her way downstairs. She didn’t want to stay on the bed and wanted to get some air outside.

"We couldn’t fall asleep, Mrs. Crawford..." One of them said with an awkward smile.

Marcella chuckled. "Please, help yourselves in the kitchen. You’ll have everything you need..."

Opening the backdoor, Marcella walked to the patio. The contractions were far apart and she knew she had time. She wanted to send Tony to the counting booth before talking to the doctor.

When she came inside, the kitchen had a nice aroma of food that made Marcella retch. She didn’t have that problem before and Marcella immediately went outside.

Bobby peeked his head out. "Do you need anything, Mrs. Crawford?" he asked sweetly. "Ginger helps with morning sickness. I have experience looking after my sister..."

"No, thanks," Marcella waved her hand. "But would you mind checking on Joey? His room is on the second floor right..."

As she was speaking, Bobby turned to look behind him. "Mr. Crawford!" He opened the door for Tony.

Tony nodded at him and walked out closing the door.

"What are you doing here?" he asked and touched her cheek. "Is something wrong?"

"No..." Marcella tried to smile but at that time, another of her contractions started and she winced.

"Birdie...?" Tony kneeled in front of her and placed his hand on her belly. Her belly was getting hard at the top and that hardness spread toward the bottom.

"It started, didn’t it?" he asked.

Marcella had to agree. She thought she could postpone telling him about it but she realized her stupidity. She cannot hold back the baby.

"Hospital...The bag... Joey..." Tony’s hands started shaking and Marcella held his hand.

"It would take time for the baby to come. You have to go to the counting booth. Your people will be waiting for you," she reminded him.

Tony stopped panicking and stared at her biting his lip. "You’re right," he said and patted her head. "What do you need?" he asked standing up.

"For now?" Marcella thought about it. "Call Mary. She knows some midwives in case of emergency. And... Henry. I would need him to drive me to the hospital. The doctor insisted that he wouldn’t admit me unless I was in the late stage of labor. They have bed constraints or something. It would take at least until evening..."

Marcella stopped seeing Tony staring at her blankly. "What?" she asked.

"Nothing..." Tony said. Marcella couldn’t figure out what he was thinking. "Are you comfortable here? Shall I bring you inside?" he asked.

"I’m fine here. The smell in the kitchen is making me..." she patted her chest.

"Then stay here," Tony kissed her head and went inside.

Marcella leaned comfortably on the lawn chair and closed her eyes. She didn’t feel like eating. She already felt tired.

She jerked feeling something on her only to see Tony covering her with a blanket.

"Have you called Mary yet?" she asked.

Tony nodded. "I’ll bring you a warm cup of water. Wait..." he walked back inside.

Marcella blinked. She didn’t think she could eat or drink anything.. But it appeared that Tony was not going to listen to her.

She waited for him to come back. Just for his sake, she drank a sip of water. Tony sat by her side, holding her hand for some time.

"Aren’t you getting ready?" she asked as the next contraction passed.

"It must hurt a lot," he said.

"Huh?" she lifted her brows.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

"It’s just the beginning," she smiled dryly. The real pain was yet to come; that much she knew.

"Does your hospital allow the husband in the labor room?" he asked.

He should have known these details, but he was not with her to the doctor visits and he knew nothing. He was ashamed of himself. He looked for traces of disappointment on her face but she held her calm expression.

"No," she smiled. Thank God!

She was glad for that. Tony would make the rational decision to be with his people rather than being in the hospital. He practically would be useless there. What can he do being there? Nothing! She would be the one doing everything.

Tony nodded and kissed her hand. "You’re getting cold..." he mumbled.

The next moment, he picked her up.

"Tony!" Marcella shouted in panic.

She had gained so much weight and what if he dropped her? She didn’t think she would be able to handle it.

"Shh..." Tony kissed her forehead and brought her in.

Marcella wanted to protest but she feared her protest might be the cause of her fall and she held back. She looked at his face to see his expression.

His walk was steady and his eyes were focused. Although his stomach was pudgy, it appeared that the muscles in his arms still hadn’t lost their strength. He was like a majestic eagle with its wings spread, gliding through the high winds.

There wasn’t even a little falter in his step until he reached their bedroom. He gently placed her on the bed and only after that did he take in a deep breath.

"You shouldn’t have carried me," she said in a slightly mocking tone. His forehead started to glisten with perspiration.

He didn’t reply to her and opened the windows. Marcella found that there was something to his behavior. He was acting odd.

Before she could think about it, another contraction started.

"Is it another one?" Tony asked.

Biting her lips, she nodded.

Tony rushed to her side and held her hand. "Breathe...Don’t hold your breath, Birdie... Breathe..." he spoke in a relaxing tone.

That contraction passed and Marcella leaned back panting. The pain was increasing and she got more scared.

"You are not leaving?" she asked Tony, still sitting by her side.

"I am getting ready," he stood up.

Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath.

Yes, I do not need him today. He should be where he was supposed to be, not by my side.