Quickly, my dad hugged me. “He’ll be fine. Go watch your childbeingborn.”
“We’ll be here if you need anything,” Ruby said. Lorenzo nodded inagreement.
“Thanks, everyone,” I said. Then I joined my mate’s side in the delivery room. It was a small, cozy room that was fully stocked with machinery and medical equipment. Gabriel was already in the bed, changed into a hospital gown and being prepared by the nurse for thebirth.
I took Gabe’s hand. “I’mhere.”
He smiled weakly. “Iknow.”
“So,” Dr. Lynden said, snapping on her sterile gloves. “Are you doing a natural birth? It’s too late for a c-section, but if you want the epidural, tellmenow.”
I opened my mouth to ask for the painkiller, but Gabriel slapped his hand over my chest. “No. I don’t want it. I don’tneedit.”
“Gabe,” I growled. “Areyousure?”
Through the pain and sweat, Gabriel glared at me. “Yes, I’m sure. I’m notsomewimp.”
I groaned. “Getting the epidural doesn’t make you a wimp,honey.”
“I don’t care. I don’t want it, and that’s final,” he growled. He crossed his arms, the final nail in the coffin of our brief disagreement. There was no winning with him. Isighed.
“Fine. My mate’s always right,afterall.”
He smirked despite the pain. “Yes,Iam.”
“Alright,” I said, putting up my hands indefeat.
“Good.” Dr. Lynden stepped forward. “Okay, Gabriel. Are you ready to haveyourbaby?”
“I’ve never been more ready,” he said, sweat already dripping from his brow. I watched him tense as another pang of pain shot through his body, but he only grunted andbearedit.
“Okay,” Dr. Lynden said. “Then I need you to startpushing.”
Gabe nodded. He gripped my hand, his nails digging into my skin. I could only bite my lip and watch. I prayed this was over quickly, forhissake.
He let out a horrible sound as he began to push. His whole body tensed and twitched with pain. Sweat made his hair stick to his forehead, and his skin was slick and clammyallover.
“You’re doing great, Gabriel,” the doctor reassured him. “Keepgoing.”
Gabe cried out as he pushed. He squeezed my hand, then clawed at my whole forearm. I let him do it. Anything to give him relief fromthepain.
“Good!” Dr. Lynden called. “Push,Gabriel!Push!”
* * *
After an hour of screaming,it was finally over. Now a brand new voice filled the air - a tiny but powerful cry. Our babywashere.
Gabriel had collapsed back against the pillow, sweating and breathing hard. His hair was wet and his eyes were half-lidded fromexhaustion.
“Honey, you did amazing,” I said. I brushed the hair back from his forehead. He only shot me a weaksmile.
“Where’d the doctor go with my baby?” he asked. His voice was hoarse from screaming during labor. I’d be lying if I didn’t think it was sexy, although I’m sure Gabriel felt anything but sexyrightnow.
“Just cleaning him up,” I reassured him. Our baby was a little boy, and I couldn’t be happier. I kept stroking Gabriel’s hair to keephimcalm.
“I want him now,” hemumbled.
At the same time, Dr. Lynden returned to the room, a huge smile upon her face. Gently, she said, “Okay. Hereheis.”
