It was good to be the owner, too, because he could just be. He could pick the room that was his favorite, and when he walked in, it had all been set up the way he wanted it, which meant Raven must have come out and arranged everything for him already.
He did have the best friends.
The lights were turned down to low, the blue room cozy with its low sofa, pillows and blankets around, even a stuffed koala to hold.
That would be the first present his baby got to take home. His eyes filled a little with the idea.
His music was playing, it was just perfect, and he had to admit he was ready.
“What do you need me to do?” Laird kissed his cheek.
“I need a glass of Sprite with a splash of orange juice with the crushed ice, please.”
“I’m on it.” Laird hurried out, and Raven chuckled softly.
“I take it he’s been helpful.”
“Yes. He just needed a minute for his brain to go back online. I knew it would.”
“Yeah, Ben offered to go turn him upside down and shake him good and hard if he needed to.”
They both had a good laugh at that. “Can I check you over before you get in the tub?” Raven smiled at him, the expression one he’d seen so often.
That was one of their driving ideals—this was not their experience. They asked for access, they gave advice, but they allowed their clients to have their own birth experience.
Within medical reason, of course.
Devon nodded and pulled his shirt up and his pants down so Raven could see his birth line.
Raven bent down. “Okay, you’re going to feel a touch?—”
“Raven, I know the drill. Be my friend here, huh?”
“Right. Habit.” Raven’s hands were warm, soothing. “Oh, buddy, you’ve been doing some work at home. Good for you.”
Devon wiggled his eyebrows. “I’m a good student.”
“You are. I don’t know if you’re going to spend a lot of time in the tub. You could probably—” Raven stopped and smiled. “Well, you know how to use all of the equipment in here. So, I’ll let you do your thing, and I’m here for the assist.”
He stepped out of his pants because they were just going to be in the way and they were irritating him anyway.
“I have your drink, love. I found your favorite cup in your office. How’s the temperature?” The best part about this is that Laird had been very well trained, and he knew exactly how Devon wanted things.
Devon took a sip, letting the sharp and fizzy drink soothe all the crap from the drive. “Yum. It’s perfect.”
And it was. And suddenly, he was ready to do this.
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Laird was so ready for this.
Devon had been so miserable physically, and Laird wanted him back to running and working and being happy as soon as Devon was ready. He also wanted to meet Cameron.
So he ran to get drinks, and he massaged Devon’s back, and he kept his medical opinions to himself, letting Raven drive that part.
Honestly, it wasn’t as hard to do that part as he thought it would be.
