Page 80 of When She Needs Them Most
“We’re not going to have any retraction this time,” the doctor says. “You’re going to push out her entire head.”
It’s crazy. I honestly thought the whole baby was going to pop out a few times, but in between contractions, Luna scoots back in a little. I’m pretty sure that’s what the doctor means about retraction, but I have no idea, and she’s not great at explaining things.
“Another is coming,” I warn Dr. Webb. Kase and I have been able to feel the pressure before Chelsea catches on.
“When you feel the urge, bear down and push.” The doctor continues staring between Chelsea’s legs. That woman is never going to be my favorite person, but if she safely delivers our daughter, I won’t blow up her house in retribution for her shitty bedside manner.
Kase, on the other hand? That man has been known to hold a grudge, and he really doesn’t seem to like the way she slapped his hand away.
Chelsea’s calf tightens, and I peek over the little curtain they made with the sheet. My legs wobble as blood trickles around Luna’s head, but the nurse wipes it away, like it’s nothing unusual. My whole body sways as the baby’s entire head pops out.
“That’s it, love, just like that. Feel free to break my fingers, if necessary,” Arden says in a humor-lined tone. Chelsea gasps. “No, no. You’re doing great. I can handle it. That’s all I meant.”
I can’t bring myself to check on what’s happening up there, because Luna’s practically here.
“Can I touch her head now?” Kase asks.
Jesus Christ. He’s never letting that shit go.
It only takes one more big push, and Luna makes her way into the world. It’s crazy because her head was out for at least a minute or two, but she doesn’t cry until the doctor has her in hand, drying off all the gooey stuff.
“Would someone like to cut the cord?” the nurse asks, glancing between the three of us.
My eyes fly between my packmates, but they both gesture at me.
“You do it.” Arden nods at me as he focuses completely on Chelsea.
“You’re the one who likes sharp things,” Kase says without taking his eyes off Luna.
Fuck me.
We’ll be lucky if we walk out of the hospital without ending upon some watch list.
Luna has a headfullof wavy dark hair. It’s unreal how much she has for being so tiny. Her eyes seem to be dark blue, but she barely keeps them open, so it’s hard to be sure. After Chelsea’s hour of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact, the nurses need to bring her to get checked out. Arden and Kase accompany Luna, and I get to stay with our omega.
The nurse brings us to her permanent room, then helps Chelsea to the bathroom. It’s an agonizing experience. The pain that radiates in the bond takes my breath away, making me grateful Kase is with Luna. I’m hoping the distance will lessenthe spillover and that the baby will distract him. That way, he doesn’t come find us to show his ass.
I feel like I pace for close to an hour, waiting for Chelsea and the nurse to emerge from the bathroom. Striding over, I offer my hands to the wobbly little omega.
“I’m pretty sure my gown came undone,” Chelsea says with wide eyes. “And I’m wearing what amounts to a diaper.”
The nurse chuckles and ties the back of her gown. “You can change into your own stuff whenever you’d like. Call me if you need the restroom. I need to keep track of your output for the next few hours, but if you’d like a shower later today, we can arrange that.”
“Yeah, it has to be close to daybreak.” I glance toward the window, and the sun is coming up as we speak. It’s a slow process to get Chelsea over to the hospital bed and even more arduous to get her into it. I carefully sit on the edge, running my fingers over my omega’s cheek.
She’s completely fucking beat, but in good spirits.
“Okay, Dad,” the nurse says, catching my attention. “We’re right at shift change, and I don’t want her to have to wait for pain meds while we swap over patients, so I’m going to run and grab that.” She points to the opposite wall. “That’s a full-size Murphy bed, and then we have the couch.” She points to it under the window. “If you need additional sleeping space, ask the day nurse to bring you one of the fold-down chairs.”
“Thank you,” I say, focusing back on Chelsea. “How are you feeling?” I stretch my arm around the top of the bed over her head, and she plants her nose in the general area of my armpit.
It’s so fucking cute. My chest gets warm and fuzzy as her face nuzzles against my T-shirt.
“I could not have done this without the three of you.” Her sincerity radiates in the bond, and it makes my eyes ache, like Imight burst into tears. “Honestly, I don’t know how I thought I could manage all of that on my own.”
“First of all, you’re a fucking rock star. You just pushed a human being out of your body. You did that. Not us.” I bend, brushing my lips over her forehead. “You would have managed if you had to, but I’m so fucking grateful that you didn’t. Being here…being able to cut the cord, it was a gift. A privilege.”
Chelsea nods, running her fingers over my chest. Everything in me wants to tell her a whole bunch of shit I’m not sure she’s ready to hear, but I can be patient.
