“Very nice, dear. We have a?—”
“Theo, why aren’t you happy for me? What is wrong with—” He glanced over, and Theo was naked now and holding his belly, his icy blue eyes huge.
The birthline was open, the baby’s head right there. “I think I need help.”
Theo was literally tryingto hold himself together, and Liam wanted him to be impressed with Gael. Such an alpha.
Pack! We need you!The blast from Liam rang in his head, and then Liam was catching him with one arm and holding Gael in the other.
Theo just didn’t quite know what to do. His water hadn’t broken, but there was totally something down there, and he was holding it and it was wet and warm and he was petrified. “Is it going to be all right?”
“Fine. Everything’s going to be fine. Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine.”If you all don’t get down here right now, everyone in this pack is going to die!
“I heard that.”
Liam smiled at him, the expression a quarter step from psychotic. “Pretend you didn’t. This is a little unnerving.”
A little? He was pretty sure he was holding his daughter’s head in his hand. “You’re going to scare the baby.”
Liam looked at him with wide eyes. “Which one?”
“The one that just called you da. Maybe you should get some towels.”
“Come lie down. Or sit. Something.” They had some furniture down there now. Sturdy, waterproof stuff. So he settled Theo there, then plopped Gael in his little seat and strapped him in. They kept that at the pool for when Gael napped while they swam.
“Towels.”
“Something to catch her. I think something’s happening.” A huge cramp hit him, and he cried out in pain. “Something’s wrong. Help me!”
Sara and Ryan came through the door first, both of them running.
“What’s wrong?” Sara’s eyes went wide.
“Oh, fuck. I’m on it.” Oddly enough, it was Ryan who sort of slid into home plate, hands cupped underneath the baby’s head as it popped out, the pressure inside him easing. He leaned back, trying to make room.
“Okay, I have her head. She looks good.” Ryan smiled at him. “Scootch your butt up some?”
He nodded, just sobbing. He didn’t really hurt. He was more terrified.
“What the fuck is going on?” Liam demanded. “She’s in a sack of water! Is she okay?”
Ryan’s head whipped around. “You are the alpha here. You get over there with your omega and be helpful. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
The words were harsh, but they seemed to snap Liam out of it, and his mate hurried to hold Theo’s hand. “What can I do?”
“I’m scared.”
Liam’s gaze sharpened, and he leaned forward to kiss Theo. “I’m here. We’ll be fine. I promise. You’re going to be fine.”
“I’ve got the towels. I’m ready to catch her.” Sara didn’t look worried, and that eased Theo some. “She’s a little bit early, but she looks pretty well-formed. Have you been in labor?”
Theo shook his head. “I didn’t feel a thing. Just a little gas.”
“Wild. Lucky bastard.” Sara winked at him. “Okay, Ryan, stay with it.”
“Can you push again? Just to get her shoulders out?”
He didn’t think it would matter if he could—she was coming, and she didn’t give a shit if he wanted anything.
