“What the fuck happened?” Luka asked in a low tone, still a parent in the room, worried about his son while also ready to welcome a grandchild.
Emil didn’t seem to hear him. “I’m here. You’re doing so good. You’re doing so good, Sadie.”
I breathed through the push, knowing that the pressure of this baby would kill me if I didn’t get it over with. “Are.You. Okay?”
He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. “Of course.”
I shot him a look that could kill.
He just had to be a smartass. Even now.
As he gave me a slight smile, that cocky grin that charmed me, I winced and readied to push again under the doctor’s orders.
“Almost there,” the doctor said.
“Please make it stop,” I begged, tensing every inch of my body. The pressure. The pain. The agony. I screamed as another contraction took over me, and both Luka and Emil held my hands as I squeezed my fingers tight.
“Is it always like this?” Emil asked.
“I don’t know,” Luka bit back. “I wasn’t there for Gabriella the first time.”
I winced, catching my breath. “Sorry.”
He shook his head. “You heard her. She kicked me out.” He almost smiled.
“Thank—thank you for not letting me go through this alone.”
“You will never be alone again,” Emil swore.
“Push, Sadie, I need you to push with all you’ve got.” The doctor nodded at me, all business.
I tried to. I gave it my all, but still, this baby wasn’t making it easy.
Over and over, she had me endure the pain of contractions. Nurses coached me. The doctor instructed me. Emil soothed me, praising me for being so strong. Luka didn’t leave either, encouraging me to stay strong.
Fifteen minutes later, I proved to myself that Emil was right. I would never be alone ever again.
Because after the brutal agony of pushing so hard “one last time”, I delivered my baby.Ourbaby.
The second I heard a little wail of a cry, tears leaked from my eyes. Happy tears. Of the deepest, most profound joy I had ever experienced. This memory would forever be etched in my soul, this first cry of my child.
“Now this is one stubborn little girl,” the doctor cheered. “Good job, Sadie.”
I blinked, registering the press of Emil’s lips on my cheek as he kissed me.
A girl.
I would never be alone for the rest of my life.
I had Emil. His family, too.
But giving birth was a solid and tangible bond that would permanently change my life.
I was a mother now, and I had a baby girl to love and raise and cherish.
I would never be alone again with the precious blessing of this baby.
I opened my arms as they brought her to me, so small and pink, her face scrunched in a pout as she closed her eyes tightly. She was perfect.
