In Scalloway, in the Shetland Islands, today was not like any other day.
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Hannah Glen, a general practitioner, gritted her teeth.
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"Ahhh... God...!"
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Lerwick was less than twenty minutes away, but every second felt endless.
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At Gilbert Bain Hospital, two new lives were about to be born.
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Ruairidh Kerr, chief engineer in the oil industry, with years of experience and used to high-pressure situations, now shook like a freshman on his first day. Nothing had ever prepared him for this.
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"Breathe... look at me. We'll get through this together."
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Ruairidh took her hand, guiding her through her labored breaths.
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"It burns..."
Hannah whispered, looking at him.
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Ruairidh squeezed her hand harder, trying to give her strength. Every moment of waiting erupted in screams of pain.
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His own hands trembled, but he had to stay calm. Every curve in the road was a risk, yet he could not stop.
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"I can't do it..."
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Hannah grabbed the dashboard, eyes closed.
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"You're going to make it..."
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Ruairidh's voice sounded steadier than he felt. Every bump in the road made him shiver.
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Then he realized: they weren't going to make it to the hospital.
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Ruairidh pulled the car over as far as possible to the side of the road and, summoning every ounce of courage, braced himself.
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"When you feel the urge to push, do it. I'm here. Always here."
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The first contraction hit hard. Hannah screamed and pushed with all her strength.
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Ruairidh guided her hands, encouraged her, reminded her to breathe.
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The first baby was born. Ruairidh grabbed him immediately and checked that he was breathing.
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There was nothing to wrap him in, so he grabbed the first newspaper he could find and wrapped him, then turned on the car heater. The priority now was keeping him warm.
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There was no time to stop. The second contraction came. Ruairidh supported Hannah as before, calming her voice and reminding her to breathe.
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The second baby was born just minutes later. Ruairidh picked him up, checked that he was breathing, and wrapped him in another sheet of newspaper.
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Hannah collapsed into the seat, exhausted.
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For now, the most critical moment had passed. The hospital was still far away.
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Then, one of the twins opened his eyes.
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There was something in those eyes that Ruairidh couldn't explain. The baby didn't cry, yet he could hear its wail inside his head.
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and then Add to home screen.