My mate groaned and shoved his chair back, and liquid splattered onto the floor. “My water broke.”
“Now?” Of course, in theory we’d been prepared for the baby to come early. But not like this, when we were on vacation.
My omega dad moved to Merrick's side and squatted. “Are you having contractions?"
“I’ve been feeling owie all day, but I thought it was indigestion.”
Why didn’t he tell us?My bear was concerned.
Not now.
Dad asked how far apart they were, but my mate gasped and doubled over. I put an arm around him. “Close,” he managed.
“We should get you to a hospital.” I asked Arnold to call for an ambulance, but Merrick shook his head and insisted the baby was on the way. Dad agreed because the contractions were so close.
“Now? The baby’s going to be born here?” This was never part of the plan, but my dad knew how I was with plans, and he reminded me that babies didn’t keep to a schedule.
This was it. We were about to become parents, but in order to do that, my mate had to endure excruciating pain.
“I think we need to take the kids back to our cabin.” Arnold glanced at his mate, who nodded, but Chase offered to stay.
“It’s fine, no, you go,” Merrick grunted, and I helped him to his feet.
“And take Father with you,” I said over my shoulder as we headed to the main bedroom. My mate needed a warm shower.
“I want to see the baby,” Rosa protested as her parents herded her and her brothers out, along with Father.
“You will. Tomorrow.” Dad closed the front door.
I got Merrick undressed, and I got into the shower with him while I was fully clothed. He leaned against me as he suffered through another contraction.
Dad was bustling around the bedroom when I brought Merrick out of the shower dressed in a robe.
“I’m getting towels to put on the bed because there’s no large sheet of plastic in a luxury holiday cabin.” He took off, mumbling about boiling water.
Merrick didn’t want to lie down but preferred to pace across the thick carpet.
“I’m not sure I can do this.”
Who’s going to do it? You?
He’s scared.
“You and the baby are taking your cues from all the ones who have come before you. Your body knows what to do.” It sounded good in my head, but I wasn’t the one having to push the baby out.
Dad appeared with a first-aid kit he'd found and another pile of towels, pillows, and bedding from the second bedroom. He and I shared a look, and he mouthed, “Stay calm. Merrick needs you.”
Right. My mate panted, and I worried he was going to hyperventilate, so I mimicked his breathing. He managed a wan smile as we breathed in tandem.
Another contraction wracked his body, and he cried out as his hand crushed mine.
“You’re doing great, Merrick.” Dad was beside us. “And the baby will be here soon.”
I swallowed my panic at the word “soon” and tried not to fall apart as my mate labored.
“I need to push.” I helped him onto the bed, where he got on hands and knees, and Dad kneeled behind him.
“Then you push on the next contraction,” Dad told him.
