I never thought I'd say this, but I want to give birth. I've got three weeks to go before I'm due and let me tell you, between boredom, my working husband and friends who spend their lives partying I'm starting to want my freedom again. Or an occupation at least.

In this state, Gabrielo refuses to let me go out, even if it's just to go to the shop, for fear that my water will break there. I tried to reassure him, but nothing helped. So I've officially been cooped up at home for a week and a half. And it's very boring.

Despite the presence of Cordelia and Max, who add a bit of spice to my day, the hours that pass seem to be endless after a while.

I can't even go down the street to buy bread and have to call the housekeeper to go and do it. Cole and Meavy come by every other day to keep me company until Gabrielo gets back from work. Everything seems to be going well between them for the moment.

- Hi," Gabrielo says, giving me a kiss.

- How was your day?

- The usual routine. How about you?

- Seriously? I asked as he nodded. Apart from going to the toilet, sleeping and eating, nothing. You don't want to let me out?

- No," he answered flatly.

- I've got over three weeks to go before I'm full term. And staying inside all day is bad for my health. Ask Cole if you don't believe me.

- I'm sure you're exaggerating," he replies, sitting down at the other end of the bed.

- We'll see.

A few hours later, Meavy came to see me and Cole. Gabrielo came to ask him if staying at home was bad for your health. To which Cole replied:

- Staying inside the house 24 hours a day will increase her anxiety level. She's likely to have problems with appetite, mood and sleep. It even increases the risk of health problems, he concluded.

- I was right," I scoffed as he sighed. So what do you think?

- You can go out, but let me know and don't go out alone.

- Thank you, sir," I said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before jumping up and down with Meavy.

The children are already asleep and we all had dinner an hour ago. We have the evening to ourselves without being able to go out, of course.

Meavy pats my hand and we continue our conversation. We will be able to start our Fridays together again as usual. Now it's time to tell them. Or not. I feel like the contractions I've had since earlier are not going away. They last longer and longer and make it hard for me to concentrate.

The pain radiates to my lower back and I feel as if something is pressing on my pelvis. Another contraction comes up and takes me by surprise.

- Alma, are you okay? Meavy asks with a worried look on her face.

- I'm fine. Just contractions, it'll pass," I say as I lie on the couch with my head on her thighs.

She strokes my hair and I lie as comfortably as possible. Gabrielo gives me a worried look, but I reassure him that everything is fine. After an hour, I start to think that I might actually give birth. The pain of the contractions is getting worse and worse and they are getting closer and closer.

I stand up to walk around and see if the contractions will pass. I feel a warm liquid gush out and run down my legs. I look down and see a puddle.

- Gabrielo? I say as best I can under the contractions.

- What's wrong? he asks, turning to me.

- I think my water has broken.

- Did it?

He quickly gets up to join me and sits me down on one of the chairs. Meavy goes upstairs to get the bag prepared for the delivery while Gabrielo carries me to the car. We arrive at the hospital quickly before being taken care of.

I'm currently on a bed hearing that a doctor is coming to give me an epidural. I feel like I'm going to lose my mind from the intensity of the contractions. Gabrielo takes me in his arms to comfort me.

- I can't take it anymore," I breathed deeply. It feels like it's never going to stop.

I stop myself from screaming when the doctor finally enters the room. He comes in with a huge needle and I start to rethink my choice. I'll probably be fine without it. I'm sure I can handle the pain. He approaches and another contraction hits me.

I refuse the epidural and Gabrielo gives me a worried look.

- Are you sure about this? he asks. The injection will make you feel better.

- If you want to get an injection, go ahead," I growl, "I won't stop you. But I don't want him to inject me with a needle that long.

A midwife talks to the doctor before coming over to us.

- Your cervix is already open to almost 9 cm. We'll wait a little longer and then you can go into the labour ward.

The contractions intensify and I begin to regret my decision. Tears well up in my eyes from the pain. I take a deep breath and try to focus on something else. I'll have my baby in a few hours and it will all be worth it.

- How are you feeling? Gabrielo asks, stroking my cheek with his thumb.

- Like I should have stayed a virgin a little longer.

- Poor thing," Gabrielo laughs. Believe me, this pain will soon be forgotten when the baby is born.

- Believe me, I want to turn around and take the epidural," I said through clenched teeth.

- Are you sure? That needle looked really long to me.

- Gabrielo, shut up," I growled with my eyes closed as another contraction came on. I'm going to ask the doctor to stick you with this damn needle if you mess with me.

- Stellina, you're in far too much pain for that," he laughed.

- It's funny, isn't it?

Gabrielo nods, smiling.

A moan of pain escapes me.

- What's ironic is that this is how we got here," he laughs, looking at me.

- Laugh, laugh, we'll see if it happens again.

Gabrielo becomes silent. He takes my hand before giving me puppy dog eyes.

__________

After an hour and a half, I am finally taken to the delivery room. The contractions are even stronger. Gabrielo enters the room with me and the gynaecologist and midwives arrive. She puts an instrument on my belly and listens. She frowns and asks one of the midwives to get a cardiologist.

- What's going on, doctor? I asked nervously.

- No, we're just going to do a routine check-up to see if everything is okay," she replies, smiling warmly.

I continue to breathe deeply as a midwife asks the doctor if everything is okay.

- I hear a noise that worries me, that's all," she replies gently. I want to make sure everything is okay.

Gabrielo gently squeezes my hand and puts kisses on it.

- It's okay, honey. Everything is fine," he says calmly. We'll see the baby in a few moments and you can see which of our two best friends won the bet they made.

- Did you hear them? I asked with a smile that was soon replaced by a grimace.

- Of course I did. They even upped the winnings to a grand.

I laughed before letting out a scream as the contractions became unbearable. Gabrielo continues to reassure me and turns to the doctor who is finishing his discussion with the cardiologist they have brought in.

- There's still a long time to go before we can start, I ask.

At this rate, I'd rather he cut open my stomach to put me out of my misery.

- Why is it taking so long? My husband says, irritated.

- It's all right," the doctor replies. I thought we had a little problem, but everything is fine. Let's get started. Alma, how are you feeling?

- Fine," I huffed, wincing.

- Good, good. I heard you refused the epidural. You'll feel the reflex to push, follow your instincts," the doctor advised gently. It's now. Now, go ahead. Push!

I start to push and watch the hands of the clock tick down. Two hours have already passed and I am exhausted. I give a big push and hear crying echoing in the room.

- This is it. The doctor says and shows me my baby.

I burst into tears of relief and Gabrielo embraces me. The midwife hands me my baby and I take him in my arms.

- Let me introduce you to your little boy," she says with a smile.

- He's adorable," I say, holding him gently against me. And he already has his father's eyes, blue as the ocean.

- I'm sorry," the midwife said apologetically as she reached for the baby. You will see him again in a short while. I'll get him back to you as soon as I can.

Not now. I sigh before leaving my child in the midwife's care. Gabrielo shakes my hand with an encouraging smile.

- Ouch! I shouted as I felt a second wave of contraction coming.

- I knew it! the doctor exclaimed with a smile.

- What's the matter? Gabrielo asks nervously.

- The labour is not over," the doctor states as more contractions come.

I push again before lying back on the bed.

- That's what I thought," she continues.

- I thought so," she continues.

-"What? Gabrielo insists. What's going on?

- They're twins and the second one is coming. It's a rare phenomenon, but it can happen. The second one has hidden behind the first.

- I'm tired. Gabrielo, I can't go on, I begged.

- Come on, Alma, my husband encourages me by shaking my hand. It's almost over, just one more time.

- Push as soon as you feel it, the doctor adds.

The delivery process continues and I push a few more times before finally waiting for my baby to cry. Finally. I fall back on the bed, feeling sleep come over me.

- And here's a pretty little girl, the doctor announces.

I hold the child in my arms as the tears come to my eyes again. It is over. I finally have peace. No more pain, no more contractions. Just a few hours of sleep to lose in the future.

- Thank you Gabrielo. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," I said, unable to stop smiling.

- Thank you," Gabrielo said, kissing my forehead. This is the happiest day of my life, Alma. I'm so happy I want to cry.

I wipe away a tear that escapes his eyes and put my arms around him again.

I hug him as best I can and he kisses me.

- I swear I will do everything in my power to make you all happy," he says, putting his lips to my forehead.