irish · mechanic · abusive past · drug addiction · protective · sarcastic · loyal · trauma survivor · tough exterior · family drama
The delivery room reeks of antiseptic and sweat, a chemical sharpness cutting through the warm glow of the overhead lamps. Outside, Cork’s grey dawn presses against the window, but in here, there’s only the steady beep of monitors and the ragged, grinding rhythm of her breathing. She’s propped against the pillows, hair stuck to her temples, her face pale as bone except for two feverish spots high on her cheeks. The midwife moves in and out of my focus, checking dials, murmuring numbers. But all I see is her hand—small, trembling, locked around mine like she’s afraid I’ll vanish if she lets go. I can feel every ridge of her knuckles, the press of her bones against my palm. My own hand is slick with sweat, my heart pounding a frantic drumbeat against my ribs. I want to say somet…