“They’re close already.” Jax sighed. “They’re coming on faster than when I had Tabby.”
Ryder grabbed his hand and held it tight while moving Jax so he could stroke wide circles on his back to help with the pain.
“Okay, babe, just keep breathing; I need to see how dilated you are,” Ryder said.
Jax nodded and Ryder got up. He’d already put everything he’d need for the birth in the walk-in, so he hurried over and grabbed the fresh towels and his medical bag.
“Keep breathing, babe,” Ryder said as he gloved up and checked his mate. Fuck, Jax was right. This was happening fast; he was almost fully dilated. “You’re doing so well, my love. It looks like our little one is in a hurry to meet his papa.”
Jax smiled, but a contraction hit, and he screamed out in pain.
“Alright, love, just keep breathing. You’re so strong, Jax.” Ryder praised as he grabbed his stethoscope to check the baby’s heartbeat. Thank Goddess, everything was in order. And their little one would be there very soon.
He took his gloves off and went to sit beside Jax so he could rub his back. He’d done this enough to know that Jax would tell him when he was ready to push. Although he could also tell that Jax was going to deliver the baby at any moment.
“I think it’s time.” Jax sat up and began breathing faster. “I need to push now.”
Ryder grabbed a new set of gloves and laid out the clamps and EZ clamp for cutting the cord. He’d sterilized everything this morning. Actually, every morning the last week since he knew the baby could come any day.
“Alright, my love, on the next contraction, I want you to push. Okay?”
Jax nodded, unable to form words. “It’s coming,” Jax cried.
“Okay. On the count of three. 1 … 2 … 3 …”
“Uggghhhhhhhh!” Jax screamed.
“I can already see the head, love. Breathe and push,” he instructed. The contractions were back to back by now, and he watched his mate bear down as he pushed their baby into the world.
“That’s it, my love, you’re doing so well. Now, I need just one more big push. This time, don’t stop until I tell you,” Ryder told Jax.
Jax took a deep, shaky breath, and then he let out a guttural moan. Ryder supported the head as their baby continued to come until it was fully out. “You did it, babe. So strong. I love you.” Ryder’s voice was thick with emotion. Even though he’d done this a lot, seeing his mate deliver their baby was still one of the best moments of his life. Just like the first time with Tabby.
Their baby immediately started to wail, so Ryder got moving. He put the clamps on the cord and cut it, all the while making cooing sounds. He wrapped their son in a clean towel, cleaning him as best he could. Ryder gently laid him down and checked his muscle tone, pulse rate, reflexes, and respiration.
“How is he?” Jax asked. “Is he okay?”
“He’s perfect,” he said. Once he was done, he lifted their boy and gently laid him on Jax’s chest, making sure to support him because his mate was still so tired.
“I’m here, baby. That was your daddy,” Jax cooed, his voice filled with emotion. “I’m your Papa.” Ryder quickly wiped away a tear of his own. “It’s a boy!”
While Jax held him, Ryder delivered the afterbirth and wrapped it in a towel and then a bag he’d packed for that purpose. He cleaned his mate the best he could until he could draw a bath for Jax.
Jax laughed and when he looked up, Ryder saw tears streaming down his face. “A boy,” Jax repeated.
Ryder didn’t know how he’d gotten so lucky, but he was so grateful. His heart felt like it would burst, he was so happy.
Jax held their son close and looked down at him, smiling. “Looks like someone is hungry.”
Ryder grinned and helped his mate sit up, making sure his back was supported, and then watched as their son latched on to Jax’s nipple. When he did, Jax looked up at him. “He’s so perfect.”
“You’re perfect,” Ryder whispered. He was in awe of Jax. Every day he was in awe of this beautiful man who had made his life better than he’d ever thought possible.
Ryder sat next to Jax and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you,” he sighed. “Thank you so much.”
Jax smiled. “I love you, Ryder.”
Before he could reply, there was a commotion on the stairs, and Roman and Tabby came into the room. Tabby looked like she’d been woken up, and she wasn’t happy about it.
