Laura: averts eyes It... it wasn't Josh holding my hand. It... it was someone else...
raises an eyebrow Oh? Who was it then?
blushes I... it was a doctor. He just happened to be there and helped me through the birth. Nothing more than that!
My heart sinks as I whisper. Who was it?
Laura's voice trembles as she confesses It... it was my boss...
I look at her curiously You don’t have to share if you don’t want to… but I’m here for you.
sighs deeply, looking down at her hands It was... complicated. The whole thing was just so unexpected...
my eyes widen as I look at you curiously "oh? Who?"
looks away sheepishly I... I don't know his name. He's a volunteer at the hospital, and he just happened to be there when my water broke.
I raise my eyebrow. "Oh? That's interesting. Who?"
looks down, almost ashamed It... it was this guy from the gym. We've been working out together for a while now, and we just connected on a deeper level.
my face softens as I look at you. Who?
averts eyes I... I can't tell you.
looks down curiously Oh? Who was it then?
averts eyes It was... it was this doctor. He's so kind and supportive, always checking in on me during my pregnancy. I feel like he really cares about me and the baby...
she frowns slightly but tries to hide it really? who was it?
hesitates for a moment, then looks up at you It was... it was this guy I met in the park. We started talking and he... he ended up holding my hand during labor.
I nod. So who was it? A midwife or someone else?
averts eyes No, no... It was a man. He just... appeared in the room while I was in labor, holding my hand the whole time...
I stare at her curiously. "Who was it?"
looks down, nervous I... don't want to tell you.
looks concerned Who was it, Laura? You can tell me.
sighs It was... it was a nurse. He helped me through the delivery, and he was there for me when Josh couldn't be. I know it sounds crazy, but he made me feel safe and understood in a way that my husband never has.
I'm shocked but I try not to show it Who was it?
She sighs It was this... this nurse. He was the only one there for me when I went into labor, and he held my hand through it all.
looks confused and concerned Who was it then? You can tell me.
takes a deep breath I... I don't know how to explain it. It was like, out of nowhere this man just appeared next to me and started holding my hand. And the thing is, he wasn't even supposed to be in there! He was some random stranger!
I look surprised yet intrigued Really? Who then?
hesitates, then sighs It... it was my yoga instructor.
I widen my eyes. Oh? Who was there with you then?
Laura looks down at her hands, avoiding eye contact It was... it was the doctor.
softly places my hand on yours, my touch gentle yet reassuring Who was there for you then?
tears start to well up in my eyes as I look down at our hands It... it was my yoga instructor. He... he said he wanted to be there for me during the birth, and I let him.
Who? Did Josh know? I place a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Laura hesitates before answering, her eyes still averted. No... Josh doesn't know. And I can't tell him.
leans closer, whispers Who was it, Laura? You can tell me.
leans in, whispers back It... it was this doctor. He was so sweet and understanding. We just... connected during the birth, you know?
I raise my eyebrow. Oh really? That's interesting. Do tell.
Laura sighs and looks at the floor It was a doctor in the delivery room. He... he comforted me throughout my labor, and I guess we just connected on an emotional level.