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“Then let's work with that feeling.” Dawn glanced at the monitor before focusing on Becky. “When the next contraction builds, I want you to push with it. Between contractions, rest and catch your breath. We'll take this one at a time.”

Sloan watched Becky nod, but the uncertainty in her eyes had him moving closer. She'd done this before with Frankie, and he'd listened to her talk about it, but nothing she'd told him had prepared him for actually witnessing it. Her body was trembling, sweat dampened her hair, and he could hear the strain in every breath she took. Yet somehow, she was still looking to him for reassurance.

He wasn't about to let her down.

“You hear that, Becky?” Sloan brushed his thumb across her cheek. “One at a time. You don't worry about anything else. I'm right here.”

Becky gave him a shaky smile before another contraction stole it away. She gripped his hand harder, her face twisting with the effort as Dawn encouraged her to push.

“That's it, Becky. You're doing great,” Dawn reassured her. “Keep going while you feel that contraction.”

Sloan had never felt so fucking helpless. He wanted to tell Dawn to do something, anything, to make it easier, but the doctor was already doing her job. And Becky was doing hers. He was the only one standing there, wishing he could punch something to make the whole damn situation better.

“Becky, you need to really push,” Dawn urged, looking up in concern. “I know you’re tired, but you can’t let up now.”

“Come on, Becky.” Sloan leaned close enough that she could focus on him. “You've got this. Push, baby.”

Becky growled, her breathing ragged. “Easy for you to say,” she managed, glaring at him. “You're not pushing a watermelon out of your body.”

“True.” Sloan actually grinned at that. Then helped her lie back.

“Sloan, when she sits up to push, I want you to get behind her so she has some leverage,” Dawn said, glancing up at him. “I don't want her lying all the way back anymore.”

“Got it.” Sloan nodded, glad he'd been given something to do other than stand there with his head up his ass.

Slade checked the monitor while Dawn made a few adjustments at the foot of the bed. Angelina stayed close, offering Becky a cool cloth and helping her settle more comfortably between contractions. Dawn had also positioned a mirror so Becky could see the delivery if she wanted to. Sloan glanced at it briefly, then returned his attention to his mate.

He'd commanded Warriors through battles where one wrong move could mean death. He'd made decisions that affected every vampire under his protection without so much as blinking. But standing beside Becky while she struggled to bring their child into the world was a whole different kind of battle.

When another contraction began, Sloan helped Becky sit forward before settling behind her, supporting her against his chest. He reached around so she could continue squeezing his hand as she pushed. Her grip was tight and punishing, but it didn't even faze him. When the contraction finally eased, she leaned back against him, exhausted.

And that's how it continued until Sloan was about to come out of his skin. Becky cried, cursed, and screamed through contractions that seemed to give her little time to recover. Each time she leaned back against him, he wished there was something more he could do.

“I can't do this. Please give me something for the pain.” Becky shook her head, breathing hard. “I thought I could do it without an epidural, but I can't.”

“The hell you can't.” His voice was firm as he leaned around to look at her. “Look at me, Becky.”

She did, her eyes filling with tears.

“You're the strongest woman I've ever known. You've already brought one amazing boy into this world, and you're about to bring another. I know you're tired, but you're almost there,” he encouraged, hoping to God he was right, and she was almost done. “You got this, and I've got you.”

“You really are close, Becky,” Dawn reassured her. “I know it's intense, but you're making excellent progress. I know it hurts, but just think of what will be waiting for you at the end of the pain. Remember what it was like when you had Frankie.”

“I had a fucking epidural with Frankie,” Becky hissed, then sighed. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” Dawn patted her leg. “I’ve been cursed at and called every name in the book. You’ve been an amazing patient.”

Becky swallowed hard just as another contraction hit, her grip tightening around Sloan's hand as she pushed again. “Oh, God,” Becky cried out as she pushed with everything she had.

“That's it,” Dawn encouraged. “His head is coming down nicely.”

Sloan glanced toward the end of the bed before quickly looking back at Becky. He wasn't sure he was ready to see what was happening down there. Not because of the blood or anything else that came with childbirth. Hell, he'd seen more blood than most people could imagine. But this was Becky, and the thought of her hurting made his chest tighten in a way he'd never experienced before.

“Is he okay?” Becky asked when the contraction finally eased.

“His heart rate looks good,” Slade assured her from the monitor.

“And you're doing beautifully,” Dawn added. “I can see his head now, Becky. A few more pushes, and you're home free.”