The shrill scream filled the hospital room.
“Push honey!” came her husband’s encouragment.
“I AM PUSHING , for Christ Sakes, Peter!” Ellen shouted, “it hurts.. it hurts… I can’t do this. I’m tired.”
The OBGYN , a portly woman, Dr. Hadenweis, reported, “I can see the head. It won’t be much longer. I need you to bear down one more time!”
“I can’t,” Ellen’s body quaked as another contraction spilled over her. She took Peter’s hand and sqeezed it. She tried to breathe (those lamaze classes were full of shit!)
With another push she felt a tear and the head pop. She stopped pushing as she was ordered. And with one final contraction, she gave her last push and felt euphoria.
The baby cried.
Hadenweis laughed. “He’s gorgeous!”
Peter wept. “He’s beautiful. We made a boy, Ellen. I love you!”
Hadenweis wrapped the child and handed him to the new mother. “Have you a name?”
“Laurence!” nodded Ellen. “Laurence Kane Smith,”
Peter nodded, “Merry Christmas, honey,”
It was two minutes to midnight.

The END !