Laird grinned at the poor panicked lady on the sofa. “The good news is that not only am I married to the professional here, but I also have been known to deliver a baby on my own before, and it all came out well.”
Marissa grimaced. “Perfect, because I don’t need somebody who’s brand-new helping out.”
“I think you’re doing fine, lady, although honestly if you just tell me that you wanted to have this baby today, wecould have done it in the birthing center, where I had all of my stuff.”
“How much do you need? I’m the one doing the work.” She was trying not to just break down and bawl.
“Well, of course you are. But at the same time, it probably would have been more comfortable there.” Devon gave her a grin, and she tried to chuckle, but it came out as a pained grunt.
Nick came rushing back in with all the supplies he could carry, and they got her set up so she was more goo proof and comfortable.
Laird was used to this. This was easy work as far as he was concerned, although he would never take it less than seriously because somebody’s life hung in the balance every time they got a call. At least it wasn’t Devon having this baby right now.
Devon was a pro. He didn’t look worried. He didn’t seem concerned. He kept his voice calm, and he was totally in his element even here. “Okay, one more push, and we’ll have this baby out. I’m going to need a soft cloth, like a clean dish towel, to clean out her mouth.”
“Why isn’t Amy here? Where is my wife?”
Devon winced. “Probably heading toward the hospital, sweetheart, because that’s where we figured you were heading. Once we’re done, I’ll make sure we get hold of her.”
“Not so, I’m right here.” A desperate-looking alpha, who he assumed had to be Marissa’s wife, breezed in. “Devon, what the hell?”
“Don’t ask me, ask your wife,” Devon shot right back.
“I just stopped by to get your bag. I knew you’d want it.”
“Well, now you can be here to hold my hand, because we’re having this baby right here.”
The alpha gave Devon a wide-eyed terrified look, and Devon smiled.
“All’s well, guys. We’re having this baby, Marisa, right now. One more push. You made it in time. Congratulations. Your daughter’s going to be here in a minute.”
Amy inhaled sharply. “Oh, I didn’t miss it.” She ran right to Marissa and held on. “I’m glad I made it.”
“I’m glad you made it too. I didn’t want to do this without you.” The tears were coming fast and hard, and it broke Laird’s heart to see, but he was really glad that Marissa’s person had shown up.
Marissa waited for Devon to tell her what to do, breathing hard but trying to do the breathing she was taught. Finally, Devon said, “All right, lady. It’s time to give me that one last push.”
She groaned and grunted but she pushed hard and sure enough, the baby’s shoulders popped out. Before he knew it, he was holding the baby, while Devon was using the towel to clean everything out.
Nick was soothing both omega and alpha, and doing his best to help anywhere he was needed, but Devon really did know what he was doing. It was stunning to watch him work, and Laird had never been more in love.
“I think I want you both to go to the hospital. Everything’s fine. I really do think so, but I think that you should go just to get everybody checked out for my peace of mind. And for Amy’s, I think.”
“God yes,” she agreed.
“So, I tell you what. Why don’t you go in the ambulance? And I’ll clean up here and?—”
“You will not clean up here.” Laird shook his head. “We were actually taking Devon home; he’s on family leave now, and he needs to get his feet up. I’ll call Dad, have him meetyou here, and then we will take Marissa and the new baby in the bus.”
Amy snorted. “Guys, I’ll just run Devon home, and then I’ll come up. We’re going to need the car with the car seat to bring Marissa and Bella home. So, I’ll just drop him off at the house, and then you can call whoever you need to come sit with you.”
Marissa grabbed Devon’s hand. “Thank you so much.”
“It was my pleasure. I told you today I felt bad that I wasn’t going to get to deliver her.”
“Well, now you got your chance. I just had to be difficult and have you do it.”
“You did.” Devon bent to kiss Marissa’s cheek. “But you did great, and I’m proud of you, hon. Raven will be in to see you once the center is closed.”
