Later that night after talking to Heather Jordan and reassuring herself that everything was OK April relaxed on the couch.  At about 9:15 p.m. April noticed that the little contractions she had been having for a few days became a little more intense.  We began watching the clock and noticed that they were about 12 minutes apart but fairly intense.  Needless to say I became increasingly nervous.  After about 2 hours they came about 10 minutes apart and I felt the need to call in support, April's parents.  I am sure we will talk about their neighbor Rolando knocking on their door for many years to come.  Walt and Fran arrived around 11:30 and we caught them up to speed.  It felt good to have someone else around.  I had all the confidence in the world in April and knew if anyone could do this, she could.  The contractions decided to lessen and made April and I think that it could have been a false alarm.  We all went to bed to see what would happen.   April told me that the contractions were a little stronger and upon timing them they were 8 minutes apart.  I was sure that this was it.  April of course was cool and calm and not nervous or scared.  She knew that she could do it.  Finally at around 2 a.m. I decided that Walt and Fran should be awakened and informed.  April continued to rock on all fours and breathe.  The contractions now upped their pace to 5 minutes apart and I started to panic a bit and was trying to convince everyone to go to the hospital.  April finally, reluctantly, agreed and as I went to call the midwife, her water broke!  Holy cow talk about timing!  Maybe I wasn't so far off in my thinking after all.  I told myself not to panic and drive faster than needed, but of course I did, but safely and within reason.
Upon arriving at the hospital I allowed myself a brief moment of relief.  I trusted Heather Jordan and the nurses and most of all I trusted April.  It was really hard to watch April in so much discomfort at that point yet take joy in it at the same time knowing what was about to occur.  We had assembled our team: me, April, Fran, Heather, and the nurse.  The contractions got closer and more intense.  April never once lost her cool.  She is the most amazing woman I have ever known.  Little did I know that she was going to impress me more than ever in the next few hours. 
Heather checked and April was at 3.5 cm.   We were a little suprised that it was not more but trusted her assessment.  It was at about this time or shortly thereafter that April started to show that she is truly amazing.  Each contraction seemed to be more painful.  April began throwing up and really getting vocal, yet not in a bad or negative way as most women would.  She was willing to try anything to assist the process no matter how painful or difficult that it became.  She switched positions so many times that I could not even count them all.  I cant imagine how that must have hurt.  Our excitement level grew when we found out that she was at 8 cm.  I knew in the back of my head that many pain medications were now no longer an option.  I tried everything I could to encourage, console, and sympathize with April.  I hope it helped.  Time was passing at an alarming rate.  I was not thirsty, hungry, tired, or scared.  (Maybe a little scared).  One thing that got me through the scariest parts was knowing what a strong woman April was and is and that no matter what I knew that she could do it.  She never turned her fear or emotions toward anyone in the room and only tried harder any time that she allowed herself any self doubt.  In my opinion, there arent many women in the universe that could have done as well as she did.  We finally heard that she was ready to push.  April was ready.  She is a woman of action and needed to actively do something about this birth and now was her chance and she jumped on it.  Heather Jordan was wonderful and was able to keep April focused and informed at all times.  She told it like it was and not as we all wanted it to be.  She was a friend, a medical professional and a leader.  We all felt stronger because she was there.  When she told April to push we knew that the time had come. 
To hear that level of pain in my wife's voice and be powerless to end it or lessen it is a feeling that no human could ever put into words.  My only reaction was to be as helpful and strong as I could.  I thought that we were going to dislocate her legs we were pushing them so far back to help the baby come out.  Everytime we did, Heather said we had good movement and I saw this as one small way that I could help April by speeding this up and easing her pain even if only a little bit.  I never thought any person could demonstrate such a level of stamina and determination that April did that day.  She never quit.  She never stopped.  If she showed any hesitancy between contractions, it instantly disappeared when the next one hit and she pushed with all her might.  It was simply the most awesome feat of physical strength that I have ever seen.  I will never forget it. 
              I  also will never forget the moment that Heather said the head of our baby was visible.  I took a look and the emotions hit me like a truck.  I allowed myself a brief yet hidden tear.  I didnt want April to see any weakness in me.  Seeing that little patch of hair and skin was something that moved my soul.  As April continued to work and push herself even further my fears began to turn into excitement as I knew what was about to happen.  It was like the moment I saw her turn to go down the aisle at our wedding and I nearly fainted at her beauty.  Only this was 10 times more intense.  I would have chopped off my arm at that point to help April with her task.  Finally after 2 ½ hours of pushing the head was almost out and April was reaching her breaking point due to her superhuman efforts of the last 9+ hours.  April asked Heather to get Dr. Maas and the vacuum to help and Dr. Maas showed  up and assisted Heather with her hands, no need for the vacuum,  for about 2 minutes.  And then it was like time stopped and sped up all at the same time.  The little head came out and then the rest of the baby emerged almost immediately.  A wave of emotion overcame me and I started to cry the most satisfying cry I have ever felt.  It was a combination of excitement over hearing those words "it's a girl" and seeing my wife's pain go away.  When I looked down at that little girl on April's chest it was the greatest moment of my life.  Nothing else mattered.  As long as the two of them were ok, then I could handle anything else.  Just to look at that little face and head peeking out and crying from the blankets was the happiest that I have ever been and probably ever will be.  I love you April and Brook. 
April's mom was great, Heather was beyond great as was the nurses and staff.  I could not wait to show off Brook to Walt and Melissa and Bryan as well as Joann who were all waiting to hear the news.  I have never been so proud of anything in my life, April and Brook.  After what seemed like mere seconds, I snapped into reality and sensed what had really happened.  I was now a dad and that is all I ever wanted to be and I cant believe that I was lucky enough to have April to do it with.