"Desperate Pains"

Ashley looked around the hospital room, her eyes scanning the sterile equipment and the worried faces of the medical staff. She was in pain, a sharp, stabbing pain that seemed to be getting worse by the minute. She gritted her teeth and took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand. She had a baby inside her, and she needed to get it out. "Avan," she whispered, reaching out for her partner's hand. Avan was by her side, holding her hand and talking softly to her, trying to calm her down. But Ashley wasn't interested in being calm. She was focused on pushing the baby out. The doctor and nurse were urging her to push, but they still wouldn't tell her what was wrong with the baby. Ashley's mind was racing with worst-case scenarios, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong. "Push, Ashley," the doctor said, his voice firm but gentle. "You need to push now." Ashley took a deep breath and pushed, feeling the pain and pressure build inside her. She gritted her teeth and pushed again, and again, and again. The pain was excruciating, but she didn't care. She just wanted to get the baby out and know that it was okay. As she pushed, tears streamed down her face. She was scared, and she was in pain, and she just wanted it all to be over. Avan was crying too, she could hear him whispering her name and telling her to keep pushing. But still, the medical staff remained tight-lipped about the baby's condition. Ashley's anxiety was growing by the minute, and she felt like she was going to explode. "What's wrong with my baby?" she cried, her voice hoarse from pushing and crying. "Please, just tell me." The doctor and nurse exchanged a glance, but they didn't say anything. Ashley's eyes locked onto Avan's, and she saw the fear and uncertainty reflected back at her. She pushed again, feeling the baby move inside her. And then, suddenly, it was out. The medical staff was rushing around her, taking the baby away to a nearby counter. Ashley's eyes followed the baby, her heart racing with fear. "What's wrong with my baby?" she cried again, her voice shaking with sobs. Avan was holding her hand, but he wasn't saying anything. He just looked at her, his eyes filled with tears. The nurse came back to her, a gentle smile on her face. "We're doing everything we can, Ashley," she said. "But we need to take your baby for some tests. We'll be right back." Ashley shook her head, feeling a wave of panic wash over her. "No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Don't take my baby away from me. Please." But it was too late. The nurse had already taken the baby, and Ashley was left alone, crying and scared, with no idea what was happening to her child.