Unease still crept up my spine. To be honest, I was afraid of the pain. When Margaret had suggested a c-section, part of me felt relieved. It seemed like the easiest way to avoid the pain.
As if reading my mind, Margaret shouldered her way past Theo and Maxwell and asked me, “Have you decided on the c-section, Benji?”
Maxwell’s brows shot up. “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but it’s too late for that.”
With lightning-fast reflexes, she spun towards Maxwell and hissed, “What?”
To my surprise, Maxwell steeled himself and stood up to her. “His contractions have already begun. If he wanted a c-section, it should have been booked earlier.” He added in a low mutter, “Not that me being abducted to help birth a vampire baby was booked, but…”
Margaret scowled and hissed in annoyance before sauntering off to the back corner of the room. Maxwell shook it off and focused his attention on me.
“Lay back and keep breathing.” He raised his head and asked, “Is anyone here the father?”
Pierce stepped forward. “I am.”
“Great. Talk him - er, Benji, right? Talk Benji through this,” Maxwell said.
“Hey, human,” Theo interrupted. “Quick rundown on everyone here. I’m Theo, that lady is Margaret, this guy is Pierce, and - “
“Theo, stop bothering him, please!” I cried in desperation. “He’s trying to deliver my baby!”
Theo ducked away sheepishly. “Sorry!
“In fact, it would be great if anyone who’s not involved could leave,” Maxwell announced.
“I am staying right here,” Margaret hissed. “It’smygrandchild.”
“Fine.” Maxwell sighed. I could tell having Margaret around wasn’t his favorite thing in the world, and I couldn’t blame him. I still couldn’t believe sheabducteda human doctor for this. Was she crazy? Or was shethatinvested in her grandchild’s health?
“I’ll go,” Theo said. “I’ll find out where Caleb and Adriel are.”
I nodded, feeling miserable. The selfish, almost childish part of me wanted Caleb here, but at the same time, I didn’t want him to see his older brother crying in pain. Maybe it was best if he didn’t see me until after the baby was born.
“I’m here, Benji,” Pierce promised. He took my hands in between his, holding them firmly.
I whimpered. “I know.”
“All right,” Maxwell said. His expression was calm, collected and gentle, and for the first time since the contractions started, I actually felt somewhat comforted. “Benji, are you ready?”
I swallowed down my fear. “Yes.”
“Okay. Ready? PUSH!”
I did push.
And then the pain hit.
It was going to be a long birth.
* * *
But it was worth it.A couple hours later, I lay panting and drenched in sweat, but the baby was out.
My vision swam. There appeared to be multiple sets of lights in the ceiling, overlapping and fuzzy. In the background I heard a shrill crying - the sound of a newborn baby - and a few voices cooing.
“Benji?” A familiar and gentle voice asked.
“Pierce?” I mumbled, turning my sweaty head to look at him.
