Alpha’s Virgin Stripper

He had always been a strict and attentive driver, but the second Mel told him that Jojo had been rushed to the hospital after her water had broke and her labour started, bypassing traffic rules and regulations and beating the evening traffic in Ten seemed like nothing but a very necessary evil. It was safe to say he was equivalent to a mad man behind a steering wheel as he drove to the hospital to find the love of his life.

He had known that something was wrong when she called, he only wished he had listened to his gut and come immediately. He would have been there to help, there for her. Now, he was tormented with the fact that she must have already entered into labour, and there would be no way of seeing her until she was out.

Immediately he got to the hospital, scared, confused and exasperated, Anthony quickly took directions from the receptionist and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. It did not matter that his tie ran with the wind, he did not stop even when he was out of breath. Until he found the backview of Jojo's aunt, Mrs Smith.

She was standing in front of a room door, a man he did not recognize was seated on a bench behind her. Anthony ignored the presence of the man and rushed to Mrs Smith.

He tapped her shoulder, panting heavily. Mrs Smith turned sharply, only to find a fear stricken young man standing behind her, his longsleeved shirt soaked with a pool of his own sweat. Anthony lowered himself and glued his palms to his knees, just to ensure that he caught his breath and the burning in his chest seized.

"Anthony!" Mrs Smith called his name out loud like it was a breath of fresh air. He raised his head and stared at her with eyes full of hope.

"I... I came as soon as I heard. I am sorry I was not able to come earlier. Jojo called, but she assured me there was no problem and I listened. I... I should have insisted on coming, I would have gotten here earlier if I had just listened to my inner voice. I was so stupid and stubborn aunt. I hope... I hope Jojo would be okay. I hope that..."

Emerald placed both her hands on each of the man's shoulders. She gazed at him with equal softness and care, before pulling him into her arms. Anthony allowed himself melt into the woman's arms as he placed his head on her right shoulder. Behind them, Kenji watched with keen eyes. He did not know what to make of the man just yet, but he did not seem too far from the father of Jojo's child. The man looked as though he could shit his pants out of fear and worry at that moment. But, he would patiently watch and see what comes out of today's saga. He just hoped that his friend would be wise enough to just sit back and do the exact thing he planned on doing; watching in silence.

********

Jojo continued to scream at the top of her voice. The louder her screams got, the deeper her fingers pierced into his skin. Lake did not make a single sound, not even when he saw that his hand had began to bleed. He kept quiet and stayed by her side, just where she wanted him to be.

They had been going back and forth for more than an hour, and Lake's worry and fear was beginning to sprout up from the pit of his stomach again. He had not expected it to take so much time, or for the process to make Jojo so tired. "She's running out of energy, we need to stop. Give her a break, space to breathe." The doctor spoke, even with her nosemask, Lake could hear her with ease. He was not willing to leave, but Jojo's hand dropped from his and fell to her side. Her eyes seemed like they would shut down, like she was about to pass out.

Alarmed, Lake turned to the doctor.

"Doctor! What's happening?"

"Sir, we would need you to step outside, please. Come with me." The doctor beckoned on him. Lake swallowed hard, hoping to swallow his anxiety and panic along with the saliva that gathered in his throat. The doctor opened the door and led Lake out of the room.

As if on cue, Emerald and Anthony jumped to their feet and approached the doctor.

"Is everything okay? What's going on? It's been an hour, what's happening?" Emerald continued to ask. She looked up at her son's face which as ladened with worry as he stood beside her.

"The situation is currently... complicated. She is not in potential danger but she is having too much contractions and these movements are making her weaker. We would try to strengthen her and resume the process immediately. She is not in any form of danger and we would do our best. You all just need to relax, we would call the father of the child in soon, I can assure you."

Emerald had a million more questions to ask, but the doctor turned her back to them and disappeared into the theater.

Emerald turned and held on to her son, placing her head on his chest. She closed her eyes, tightening her eyelids and praying for Jojo's safe delivery in hushed tones. Lake held on to his mother, wrapping his arms around her.

"It is okay, mother. You do not have to be scared. Jojo is one of the strongest women I know. She's tough, she is a fighter. Whatever is going on in there, Jojo would come out tough as she always does." Lake was not only speaking to his mother, he was also trying to reassure himself, to tell himself that the Jojo, the strong Jojo he knew would make it out of that room her baby in her hands.

"Are they sure she is going to be okay?" Anthony asked, while standing behind mother and son.

Mrs Smith disengaged herself from her son's embrace and turned to him. Lake looked over the man's tall frame in disdain. He was slim and slender. From where he stood, the man's grey eyes made him look more of a snake than a person. Why did he have to be shocked? The man was nothing but a snake if he thought he could crawl into the lives of the people he cared about and replace him.

Kenji sprung up from the bench and shook his head, masking his laughter. Just as he had expected, Lake's eyes had turned bloodshot red with fury immediately he caught sight of Anthony. If he didn't leave now, Kenji knew he would burst out laughing and that would be very awkward, considering the tension in the room.

"I'll get everyone drinks." Was his excuse to step out of the environment.

Lake continued to pace about the corridor, wishing he could push the door open and be by Jojo's side again. He had not even bothered to attend to his wounds, but how could he?

Minutes later, Kenji returned with the drinks. Everyone took one besides Lake and Anthony.

Lake planted himself in front of the door and would not leave no matter what. Everytime he heard Jojo's faint scream, his heart shrunk in his chest.

He was not sure how much more he could take, until the door opened in front of him.

A young nurse stood in front of him. She looked over him and fixed her eyes on Anthony. "Can the father of the child come in now, please?"