Alethea

Of all the ways I imagined Declan's birthday going, not once did I ever think I would go into labor right in the middle of his party. This was supposed to be his special day. And now... I feel like I'm stealing the spotlight.

A sharp pain tears through me again, and I cry out, clutching my belly. I already feel bad. I didn't mean to cause a scene. This is Declan's day.

During my antenatal visits, the midwives always told us not to scream during labor. They said it would drain our energy. "Breathe through the pain," they advised. "Stay calm."

But no one ever said the pain...