“Yes, Axelle.” She throws up a tiny finger wave.
“Axelle, why don’t you come take my spot. You guys got here just in time for her to push.” Danita places my sweaty hand into Axelle’s, and I grin up at my daughter as she peers down at me.
Her eyes sparkle with tears, but they’re red, as if she’s been crying.
I pull her hand up and kiss it. “Honey? I’m okay.” I regard Blake, who’s staring intently at Axelle. Something passes between them. “Guys, I’m fine.” My eyes narrow on Blake. “What’s going on?”
He seems to shake off whatever it was he was thinking, and his soft stare bores into mine. “Besides the fact that we’re having a baby?” A tiny smile curls his lips.
Did Braeden tell Blake about Trip? I made him promise he wouldn’t until after the baby is born so I could tell him myself. No, surely Brae wouldn’t do that to his own brother.
The sound of voices at the door makes me glimpse over to see Danita putting on a long gown, rubber gloves, and a mask. “Doctor’s here.” I can’t see her mouth, but the smile in her eyes says it all.
It’s time to have the baby.
I grip Blake’s and Axelle’s hands tighter, excitement and absolute terror warring behind my ribs.
“Aw shit,” Blake growls. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” His hand gets tight.
I look up and follow his gaze to the entrance of my room where Dr. Cole is standing, shaking his head.
“. . . another contraction . . .” A random nurse mumbles.
“Mr. Daniels, it seems the fates are against you.” Dr. Cole moves into the room, already dressed in scrubs, and a few nurses busy to get him in a gown while he pulls on gloves.
A low groan vibrates from Blake’s chest, and I yank on his arm. It’s weak, but it’s enough to get his attention. “Blake, it’s okay. Let’s just—Argh!”
The contraction grips me from what seems like out of nowhere. “Holy shit . . .” I squeeze their hands, and the doctor takes his place along with the nurses. I’m lost in the pain of my contraction but feel my legs being placed into stirrups and the heat of a warm light between my legs.
I don’t need to look at Blake to know he’s probably shooting daggers at the doctor who has a front row seat to every damn thing between my legs. Oh well, he can get the fuck over it, or he can push a human out of his body if he wants a say.
A low groan rolls from my chest out my mouth, and Blake jerks then swings his eyes to mine.
“Breathe, baby . . .” His tender voice combined with the feel of his hot breath against my neck calms me a little, even though my womb is still intent on squeezing this baby out.
“Alright, guys,” Dr. Cole addresses Axelle and Blake. “When it’s time to push, I want you to hook your elbow beneath the leg you’re standing closest to. Pull it back and count with us.”
Axelle nods. “Okay.”
Blake tightens his glare aimed back at the doctor.
The doc rolls his eyes and focuses his attention down low. “Alright, Layla, I can feel the baby’s head. When this next contraction hits, I want you to push, okay? Don’t push with your face. Push with your abdomen, got it?”
I nod and try to relax during my brief reprieve.
“Blake, are you good?” I can’t put my finger on it, but something seems off about him. It’s not the interaction with the doctor; it’s something else. He looks . . . sick.
He turns his pale face to me, licks his lips, and nods.
“I can’t believe this!” Axelle’s voice is laced with pure joy and excitement. “I’m getting a brother or sister today!”
I squeeze her hand, but as the tightening creeps up, I can already tell this one is going to be huge. My eyes find Dr. Cole’s, and he checks the monitor and then nods. “Here it comes, Layla. You ready?”
Blake and Axelle hook an arm under each of my knees, and at the doc’s okay, they both pull back as the contraction shreds through me. I push, hard, as I’ve never pushed before because I know the second I get this baby out the sooner I can be done.
“Good, push . . . three . . . four . . . five . . . six . . . seven . . .” Everyone in the room counts in unison.
There’s a fullness between my legs, a burning, stretching sensation. Every muscle, even my neck and fingers, get wobbly with the force of my strain.
“Good, Layla, keep pushing.” The doctor busies his hands between my legs, but I can’t see what he’s doing beyond my belly.
The contraction fades, and I crash back into the bed.
“Looks like you’ve got a tow head.” Danita rubs my foot soothingly.
“That’s some pretty blond baby hair.” Dr. Cole says and then glances up at the monitor.
“Wait, what?” Blake’s eyes pass among everyone who is getting the VIP show to my vagina, looking for clarification. “Hair?”
They nod, and Dr. Cole, after a few beats of silence, motions for Blake to go see. “Yeah, come take a look.”
Blake kisses my hand and then my forehead, silently asking permission for him to leave me.
“Yes, go see our baby.”
*