Reason to Live

Bruce Kulick is the legendary wizard of perfect timing, in the words of his brother anyway. Conveniently for him, his plane arrived in Los Angeles three and a half hours after the agonising process of labour began. When Bruce raced into the room, there was already a crowd. Eric, Marie, Debbie , Holly and a couple of doctors. It was only seconds after I grabbed the doctor by his coat and ordered him to stretch me an extra two centimetres to make me fully dilated. Every time we spoke of such things, Eric would shudder.
I was just about ready to punch somebody by the time Bruce ran through the door. "Cut me open, I don't give a damn," I panted. Through teary eyes, I looked up and saw Marie and Debbie move aside, letting Bruce walk towards me. He smiled, which drove me crazy. Of course he could be excited, his job was already done, it was up to me to finish it.
He leant over me, letting his hair fall onto my face. With a wide smile, his nose touched mine. I closed my eyes, fighting the pain, which was as strong as the urge to kiss him. His breath was warm and his scent was comforting. So often I'd fall asleep to the smell of Bruce's aftershave, with its soft and spicy scent easily misleading me to thinking that I have drifted off into paradise, instead of sleep. I breathed heavily, anticipating his lips to touch mine. They lightly brushed against my face as he spoke "I knew you'd wait for me." His expression was cocky as he watched so closely for a response.
"You bastard," I murmured, frustrated by his joke. He exhaled a laugh, then took the opportunity to kiss me. As much as I loved that, I couldn't help but think, his amazing lips were the start of the mess I was in.
"Aud, I'm joking honey," he whispered.
"You're the reason I'm hurting right now, don't joke," I told him.
"Sorry babe," he said, smiling still.
The doctor was speechless. He still thought that Eric was my husband and must have had trouble understanding why Eric was so fine with a handsome stranger rubbing his nose against my face.
"You right there buddy?" Debbie asked the doctor, amused by the situation.
"Uh... Yes. Now, this is getting a little ridiculous. There are far too many people here," the doctor finally announced. Bruce kept smiling at me as I heard the others bickering in the background. I started to smile back, knowing that no matter what would happen, he'd be there for me.
"You can't kick us out man... Aud needs us," Marie argued.
"Told you this would happen," Eric said to me. Bruce laughed at Eric.
"Please," the doctor said sternly with growing frustration. "I would like only the father..." he paused. "...and or husband, to stay."
"C'mon guys," Debbie sighed, reluctantly pulling Marie along by her denim jacket.
"Aud, I'll just be outside waiting," Marie promised. "I'll have a huge ass plate of nachos waiting for you!"
"She'll eat 'em," Eric smiled, the last to leave.
"Wait...you are the father?" The doctor asked Bruce, noticing he was the only visitor left. Bruce looked shocked.
"Of course I am," he replied.
"...Not that other man?" the doctor asked.
"What other man?" Bruce questioned, confused.
"It's him. He did this to me," I said pointing at Bruce. "I married him."
"Who is the other man?" Bruce asked, not impressed.
"Eric," I whispered, biting my lip.
Bruce's whole face drained of expression. It was like somebody had ran a duster along a chalk board - completely blank. "What?" he barely whispered. I began to laugh, then very quickly winced in pain.
"Bruce, he was kidding," I told him.
"He was kidding?" he clarified.
"He said he was my husband so he could stay." Bruce awkwardly chuckled in relief.
"I think you're ready," the doctor said, causing us both to look up at him.

"Okay, Audrey, we need you to start pushing." That sentence scared the life out of me. It was happening. I squeezed my eyes shut and grinded my teeth as I tried my hardest. It was never enough. "Keep pushing..." "More." "Just a little more." I remember screaming "I'm trying!" at the nurse while sweat and tears poured down my face. I squealed loud enough for my friends to hear from the waiting room.
Bruce was amazing. He never let go of my hand, and never once complained that I dug my nails so deep into his skin that it drew blood. To be honest I'd be surprised if he even noticed. He was so focused on me. When I flashed my eyes open, he'd be watching closely, cringing with each painful expression I'd make. He later confessed how much he hated seeing me in pain. I told him that I didn't enjoy it much either.

When it was finally over, I felt numb. Not just physically, but mentally too. I relaxed back on to the bed, eyes closed, catching my breath. It seemed like the world had paused, with only sounds remaining. They were such lively sounds. When she squealed for the first time, it was like my life had restarted. I had a new reason to live.
Bruce let go of my hand as soon as our daughter took her first breath. Soon after I felt his face against mine as he kissed me, then whispered in my ear "I love you so much Audrey."
She constantly squealed, but underneath that noise, I heard Bruce talking. "Really? Will it hurt?"
"No," the doctor replied.
"But will it hurt Audrey?"
"Neither will feel it."
"Okay," Bruce agreed, reluctantly. "Like this?...oh...wow" I started to smile, knowing that he just had cut the umbilical cord, something he swore he'd never do.
"She's definitely a girl. Congratulations Bruce," the doctor spoke.
"Now what are you doing?", Bruce asked ,curious.
"Just tidying her up," the nurse laughed, amused by his confusion.

Bruce was soon back at my side. "Aud, are you okay?" he asked. I opened my eyes and smiled at him.
"Yeah?" I answered, feeling choked up. When they brought her over to us, wrapped in a soft, grey blanket, I couldn't help but cry. Bruce kissed my cheek to comfort me as I held her for the first time. "Hello," I whispered, looking into her dark brown eyes. Her skin was bright red, we joked that she was "over-cooked." "She's beautiful!" I said, looking at Bruce.
"Just like you," he smiled. I smiled back at him, so grateful to have a man so amazing in my life.
"Have we got a name for the little girl?" the nurse asked us, admiring our loving moment as a new family.
"Cadillac," Bruce replied. I smiled widely at him, surprised. The nurse looked a little surprised by the name also.
"I thought you hated that name."
"I did Aud, but you kept saying it over and over. When I first saw her, I thought Cadillac. Her name is Cadillac."
"You don't want to call her Kate?" I asked.
"She's Cadillac."
"I love you Cadillac Kulick," I said to my daughter.