“Alright, Mom, it’s time to push. Are you ready?” The doctor smiles at my wife.
Lake looks to me for reassurance. “We’re ready,” I whisper against her lips. I’ve been positioned behind her in bed, and my job is to soothe her while holding her legs back.
“We’re ready,” Lake reiterates.
“Take a few soothing breaths,” Doc says, then looks at me. “You, too, Dad. This is going to be exhausting.” We nod and do as instructed.
“Saint?” The quiver in Lake’s tone shifts my gaze downward. Tears stream down her face. “I’m scared.”
Softening, I block everything out but my wife. “You’re amazing, Lake. You’re going to be the best mom, too. What’s scaring you?”
“I want my mom,” she sobs, closing her eyes.
Originally, Lake wanted it to be just us in here, but they’ve allowed us another person if needed. Thankfully, Ariel and Luther had already been here for Bea and Nolan’s birth when we came rolling in sixteen hours ago, and they never left.
Kissing her forehead, I assure her, “Anything you want.” Glancing up, I nod at the nurse I requested be on standby for just this reason, because I know my wife. She is hands down the strongest person I know, but Ariel is her most trusted person, and I knew she would want the older woman here, just as Bea did.
“Oh, baby, look how fantastic you are.” Ariel enters, already gowned up and ready to take Lake’s hand. “Is it push time?” she asks the doctor while stroking Lake’s hair.
“Sure is.”
Collectively, the room takes a deep breath, and Lake is given the order to push. We don’t know the sex yet, and even though I know Lake wants a girl, she’ll be happy either way, and so will I.
“Baby is coming quick, bear down one more time!”
Lake howls while I whisper my love and admiration into her ear until a screaming baby emerges in the room. The nurses are quick to wipe the infant down and wrap it up before coming over to us.
“Alright, who wants to hold baby girl Rivers first?”
Lake sucks in a sharp breath and lets out a joyful little sob.
“Nana,” we say together. My wife needs a few minutes of my attention.
Ariel looks shocked but eagerly takes the baby and requests that Papa be allowed in. The doc nods, and a few minutes later, Luther enters the room with my parents right behind him.
“You’re incredible,” I murmur into Lake’s ear as I ease her legs back down. “The most amazing person I know.” Her head turns for me to capture her lips in a slow, sensual kiss. This is hands down the best moment of my life, and I wouldn’t have it without her.
“Are you ready for her?” my mom asks, and we look up to see her holding the baby, with Dad looking on. Both have tears in their eyes.
“Yeah.” Lake chokes on her emotions. “We’re ready.”
Our daughter is placed in her arms, looking gooey and perfect.
“She’s gorgeous,” she says, drawing a finger across the dark tuft of hair, and the infant lets out a big yawn before starting to whimper.
“That’s a hungry sound, Mom. Are you breastfeeding?” a nurse asks, appearing ready to kick everyone out.
“I’d like to try,” Lake responds, and our parents take their leave without being asked.
“Wait,” Ariel says. “What’s her name?”
Lake smiles widely. “Seren Sutton Rivers.”
Luther stands taller, obviously liking their family name as part of his granddaughter’s.
“Seren,” Ariel and Meadow say together. “Perfect.”
Just like our little girl.
