To my relief, Dr. Lynden strode out with a glare aimed at the front desk man. “Why aren’t you helping this couple?”
“Ah, Dr. Lynden, I’m sorry, but he says his name - ”
“Does it matter what his name is?” Dr. Lynden snapped. She looked at Halo and I, and I saw recognition flicker in her eyes. She must have remembered us from the fountain when we first arrived. If she noticed I was wearing an eyepatch now, she didn’t comment on it - there were more urgent matters to attend to. “Come on, you two. I’ll take you in myself.”
“Thankgods,” Halo muttered. His face twisted in pain now and I felt a pang of sympathy. The contractions must have started.
We quickly followed Dr. Lynden and she ushered us into a room that was already set up for childbirth. I helped Halo on to the bed. Sweat beaded his brow and his breaths were shallow. I didn’t notice the few nurses streaming into the room because I was too focused on holding Halo’s hand - or at least, letting him squeeze mine so hard it was painful.
“Fuck, it hurts,” Halo muttered, his eyes clenched shut.
“The contractions are coming fast,” Dr. Lyden stated with a frown. “You can push, Halo. This baby isn’t going to wait.”
“Shit,” Halo whined as he threw his head back. He gasped. “Damnit, Angel didn’t come out this fast, but she wasn’t as painful, either…”
He screamed now as another bad one hit, and he clutched my hand, digging his nails into me and leaving red crescent marks behind.
“You’re doing well,” Dr. Lynden praised him. “Don’t stop now.”
“Fuck!” Halo cried.
“Halo, look at me,” I said. His eyes opened, pale and full of pain. “I’m right here. You can do this. I love you.”
“Love you - agh!” The agony ripped through him.
“The baby will be here soon,” I promised him. “Ourbaby, and this will all be worth it. You’re going to fall in love as soon as the baby’s here.”
Halo muttered something under his breath about this beingmyfault, but it was cut off as he cried out again. A nurse put a wet cloth on his forehead, and he slapped it away. “Fuck!”
I couldn’t even feel embarrassed about his bratty behavior because he was suffering so much. It was times like this where I wished I could share some of his pain.
“Keep pushing, Halo,” Dr. Lynden ordered.
Halo just screamed in reply.
And then, in the midst of the chaos, another voice cried out. I heard Dr. Lynden laugh, full of joy and relief. I was so used to her sternness that it caught me off guard. I glanced quickly in her direction and saw -
“Our baby,” I murmured. “Halo, look.”
Halo’s voice, broken from screaming and crying, came out in a small croak. “Oh, gods…”
Dr. Lynden brought the baby to Halo’s side. “We have to get him cleaned up, but here he is.”
“A son,” I murmured, my chest swelling with joy. “Our son.”
Halo whimpered and began silently crying at the sight of our newborn. When Dr. Lynden gently told Halo she had to clean him off, Halo just nodded and bit his lip.
“You did it,” I said, stroking his sweat-damp hair off his forehead.
“I did,” he whimpered.
I leaned down to kiss him, tasting his sweat and tears. “I love you so much.”
He nodded with a choked laugh. “I love you, too. Sorry I keep crying but I’m so fucking emotional.”
Dr. Lynden returned and gently handed Halo his son. He was… breathtakingly beautiful. I couldn’t find the words to describe him. He had Halo’s golden hair and resembled him so much, even in this tiny newborn form.
“He’s gorgeous,” I said, unable to keep the smile from my face.
