Chapter 7 - Delivery Under Fire
The ballroom was finally secure, but the chaos immediately shifted to my terrifying medical emergency.
Mara stripped off her heavy tactical vest and rapidly unpacked a sterile medical kit onto the wet floor.
"The paramedics are blocked at the gate by the corrupt local cops, and we do not have time to airlift you," Mara explained frantically.
"I have to deliver this baby right here."
I screamed in agony as another massive contraction commanded my entire body to bear down.
Federal agents quickly formed a protective human wall around us, shielding me from the horrified stares of the arrested wedding guests.
Victoria Bellacourt was dragged away in handcuffs, screaming obscenities at me until an agent firmly gagged her.
"On the next contraction, you give me everything you have, Claire!" Mara commanded, her hands perfectly steady despite the madness.
I gripped the cold marble floor, squeezed my eyes shut, and pushed with a primal, desperate strength I never knew I possessed.
The pain was entirely blinding, completely consuming every rational thought in my mind.
"I see the head!" Mara shouted, her voice filled with a sudden surge of pure relief.
"One more big push, Claire, you can do this!"
I took a massive, ragged breath and pushed again, feeling a sudden, strange release of pressure.
I collapsed backward onto the floor, completely exhausted, staring up at the ruined crystal chandeliers.
I waited for the beautiful, piercing sound of my newborn child crying in the quiet ballroom.
Instead, there was nothing but a horrifying, suffocating silence.
I weakly lifted my head and saw Mara holding a tiny, motionless infant wrapped in a sterile foil blanket.
The baby was completely blue, and its tiny chest was not moving at all.
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"Mara," I whimpered, my heart shattering into a million pieces.
Mara did not answer me; she immediately laid the baby on the marble and began performing frantic, two-finger CPR on the tiny chest.
