He began massaging Linus’ hands and feet, rubbing his back when another contraction hit him. Linus clung to Storm and gritted his teeth.
When he had caught his breath, Linus said, “You’ve never told me how you got my keys. When you were secretly living in the apartment.”
“Oh. You’re ready to hear it?” Storm rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “I bumped into you at the college and lifted your keys. It was right before class, so I went to make a copy, then slipped them back when I bumped into you again after class.”
Linus frowned. “I... don’t remember that happening.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t supposed to be memorable. Just a light bump, enough to distract you while I got your keys. I wasn’t trying to hurt you, you know.”
Linus gave him a wry smile. “Well, I’m glad I have you around to save me from myself.”
“Of course.”
Linus’ contractions grew more frequent. Storm rubbed Linus wherever the discomfort was, but it hurt him to know that Linus was in pain.
Then he finally got an epidural, except he still gritted his teeth and struggled through the contractions.
“Sorry,” Storm said guiltily. “I didn’t mean to put you through all this.”
“It’ll be worth it,” Linus growled.
Storm helped him lie on his side. He brushed Linus’ sweaty hair away from his face, dropping kisses wherever he could. Then he climbed onto the bed behind his omega and spooned him, until their baby began to crown.
The midwife peered between Linus’ legs. Storm growled.
“If you’re so great at this, why don’tyoube the midwife?” she sniped at Storm. “Honestly, you alphas only seem to get worse.”
Storm shut up and let her work. Except the longer he watched Linus, the more he needed to help.
“Push,” the midwife said.
“Push,” Storm echoed.
Linus gave him a beady-eyed glare. “What the hell do you think I’m doing?”
Storm clamped his mouth shut and rubbed Linus’ back. Linus kept on pushing. He gripped Storm’s hand so tight that it felt as though his knuckles were grinding together.
Finally, after hours, something pink and bedraggled slid out of him.
Storm’s heart skipped. “You did it, sweetheart. You did it! I’m so proud of you.”
He gathered Linus into his arms and dropped so many kisses on Linus’ face. Linus was teary-eyed and exhausted. So beautiful.
Storm helped him sit up. Then the midwife came over with their tiny baby, his mouth open in a loud wail.
“Congrats, you have a beautiful son,” the midwife said.
“Tamsen,” Storm and Linus said, beaming.
Tamsen wriggled and wailed. When Linus cradled him close and cooed at him, Tamsen grew quiet as though he recognized Linus’ voice.
Storm choked up; this was all so amazing. “You’re incredible,” he told both of them, dragging his wrist over Linus, and more gently over Tamsen’s back.
“Can’t wait to bring you both home,” Storm added. “Our lil family, sweetheart.”
Linus sniffled and leaned into him. “This is perfect.”
“It really is.”
