"Oh god, here comes another one!"I grab for the gas.
"Deep breath in and push," the doctor encourages.Desperate to end this, I follow her instructions.
"Yes, that's it," she praises after several minutes."You're a natural, Alisha.Good, very good."
"Oh fuck, why is it burning?"
"That's because your first baby is crowning.Next contraction, push as hard as you can, and we'll see if it's a boy or girl."
I look up at Cole, who kisses my sweat-dampened hair."You can do it.Let's meet our children."
The next contraction is brutal."Ah, fuck!"
"Push, Alex!"
Closing my eyes, focusing entirely on my baby, I push with everything I have.Just when I think I'll split in two, a cry pierces the air.My eyes fly open to see the doctor holding up a tiny, squirming body.She places the baby on my chest.
"Congratulations!It's a boy!"
* * *
Cole
My jaw dropsat the doctor's words.A son?I have a son?
Alisha's joyful tears fall as she cradles our boy."A boy," she sobs.I kiss her lips, both of us mesmerized by this perfect little person.
"Want to cut the umbilical cord, Dad?"
I nod, following her instructions with trembling hands.The nurse comes to take him for examination, and suddenly Alisha grunts in pain.Oh fuck, we're having twins.
"Okay," the doctor says calmly."His brother or sister is ready.You're doing amazing, Alisha.A few more pushes and you'll have your twins."
I take my wife's hand, whispering against her temple, "I love you.You can do it."
She finds renewed strength, tucking her chin to her chest and pushing with everything she has.I watch in awe, gaining a whole new respect for women.The things they endure, the strength they possess - it's incredible.
Three contractions later, the doctor calls out excitedly."Yes!One or two more big pushes and we're there.Cole, want to help deliver your second child?"
Adrenaline surging through my veins, I move into position.The doctor explains what to do, and with our son's cries still filling the room, I hold out my hands as the head emerges.Alisha gives one final push, and suddenly I'm holding our second child as my wife collapses back against the pillows.
"Well done, Dad."My eyes scan the tiny being in my hands and go wide.
"It's a girl!"I choke out, looking at Alisha."We have a boy and a girl!"
The doctor helps me place our daughter on Alisha's chest.After cutting the second cord and cleaning my hands, Eve returns with our son.
"This little guy wants to meet his dad," she says, placing him in my arms as I sink into the chair.
"Hey buddy."I kiss his tiny head, wiping tears from my face.
Looking up at Alisha cradling our daughter, my heart nearly bursts."They're perfect," she sighs.
"What are their names?"the doctor asks.
Alisha meets my eyes with a tired smile."You tell them."
I touch my son's cheek."This beautiful man is Axel, and our pretty girl is Harley."
