Page 84 of Fearless Bond
He spread out the blankets and towels under me. When the next cramp hit, he hugged me from behind and lifted my torso. I bore down, my pain suffused with pleasure.
“It should help to elevate your upper body,” Barclay said.
“I know. I remember.”
Then I had to push again.
“It wasn’t supposed to be so fast,” I complained.
“You’re doing great. We’re ready.”
“Fuck!”
He had to let go of me to look at how dilated I was, and I swore at him some more. Luckily, he had the brilliant idea to bring the chaise and set it in front of me so I could hold on to it and lean on it with my upper chest.
The contractions came faster, but the pushing brought me relief.
“I can see him!” Barclay’s voice broke.
Ray Mason Black was born at four in the afternoon and weighed six pounds.
He looked at us with his strangely alert eyes, his expression a little judgmental. He seemed unsure if this new situation was better or worse.
Barclay wrapped him in a fluffy towel, and I settled with him on the sofa before I offered him my nipple. He latched on after a few tries. Frowning, he kept staring at me as I nursed him.
“He’s so clever,” Barclay said. “Look at him. He knows exactly what’s going on.”
“It’s instinct, Barclay. He’s twenty minutes old.”
He cupped Ray’s little head in his big paw. “See that crease between his eyebrows? You have the same when you’re thinking hard about something.”
“Maybe.”
Soon, Ray closed his eyes, and the crease smoothed out.
Barclay didn’t move, staring at our baby with what looked like consternation.
“Barclay,” I said after a few minutes.
“Hm?”
“I’m hungry.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Are you comfortable? Do you need another blanket?”
“I’m good.”
“Okay, I’ll go bring you something to eat. Stay put.”
“Not going anywhere.”
He stood, looked at us, blinked rapidly, then crouched in front of us. With one hand on my cheek and the other on our baby’s back, he kissed my nose.
“You’re amazing, Calvin. I’m in absolute awe of you.”
I grinned. I was proud of myself too.
THE END
