A little laugh escapes. “Your voice is better than a lullaby.” Another contraction hits. I sink my teeth into my lower lip and grab the sides of the bed to position myself better. The need to push is profound, and I give in to it.
The young doctor I met earlier sails into the room as the nurse adjusts the bed. They move quickly, which is good because the baby moves just as fast.
One second, I’m pushing. The next, he’s left my body.
I lean forward until I hear his little cry. Exhaling, I lean back.He’s okay.
Zoe leans in their direction and nods. “He’s perfect. Beautiful, just like you guys. Congratulations.”
They cut the cord, wipe him down, and get his weight. Then the nurse puts his identity band on his ankle and swaddles him.
“Scott will be upset he wasn’t here,” I whisper. “They should’ve let him come.”
“Here he is, Mommy,” the nurse says, handing the baby to me.
“Hi, Finn,” I whisper as tears fill my eyes. He’s so cute.
I kiss him, wishing Scott and Sean were here.
The doctor leaves, and the nurse arranges me in a more comfortable bed.
The door opens a few minutes later, and Scott enters. He’s still wearing his tailored navy sharkskin jacket over a black knit shirt and navy trousers. If I didn’t know he’d been in police custody, I wouldn’t.
“Hey, babe.” He kisses my cheek and looks down at the baby. “What are you doing here, little man?” Scott’s finger strokes the baby’s head lightly. “You’re not due for three more weeks.”
The baby cries his high-pitched newborn cry, and Scott shakes his head. “Yeah, I know I’m late. But at least you’ll have a helluva ‘on the day I was born’ story.” Scott strokes my hair. “How are you, Laur?”
“Fine.” I smile. “Glad you made it. We tried to wait for you. Or at least one of us did.”
“Looks like the backup team did fine though. Thanks, Z.” Scott gives Zoe a hug.
“He was impatient to see what was going on,” Zoe says. “I guess he takes after his dad.”
Scott chuckles. “Maybe so.”
“I’m gonna go out and tell Connor everything’s fine,” she says.
“Good. Thanks again,” Scott says.
Zoe gives me a quick kiss on the cheek as she strokes the baby’s cheek. Then she slips out to the hall.
“Areyouokay, Scott?”
“Yeah. Except I’m pissed I didn’t get here in time.”
“You didn’t really miss anything. It was so fast this time. I barely pushed.”
“Glad it was easier at least. Last time was rough. Eleven hours of labor. No meds.” Scott rests his palm gently on the baby’s head. “Then a second pregnancy right on the heels of the first, and now you have him on this crazy night.” He shakes his head. “You’re really strong, Laurelyn. I’m a lucky man. Thank you for him.”
I lick my lips as more tears threaten. “You’re welcome.” Emotions are hard to control at the moment because I feel so lucky, too. “We love you.”
ZOE
Connor sits on a sofa,sending text messages when I approach. He starts to rise, but I put a hand out for him to stay where he is and drop onto the spot next to him.
“She’s great,” I say. “And so is the baby.”
“Did Trick make it in time?”
