“So, what do we do?” Caleb asked.
“Caleb, you keep scraping Bran off the ceiling and help Doc.” Kate grinned before she felt a sharp pain rip across her stomach.
“Deep breath in, short breaths out,” Nic said, his voice like a deep well of calm.
Kate did as instructed and soon the pain subsided.
She felt Doc lift her gown and spread her legs. Bran growled. Caleb smacked his shoulder.
“Thanks, man.” Bran shook his head as if clearing it.
“Trust me, Bran, even if I were straight, sights like this would have me looking at men,” Doc said, starting her pelvic exam.
“Hey!” she yelled.
He looked up and her and winked.
“Oh. My. God!” Kate yelled. The pain radiated from her stomach to her back.
“Focus on me, Kate. Breathe,” Nic said, smiling down at her.
Kate looked up into his chocolate-brown eyes and did as he instructed. He didn’t know it, but she was using his eyes to focus and breathe. Over the past year she had noticed that her quiet friend felt things so deeply, but he never wanted to burden anyone with his problems. His eyes were always kind, always gentle. It was his eyes that made her feel like everything would be okay.
She loved both her mates with every cell in her body, but they couldn’t do this for her. Both were too worried and anxious. Their feelings always showed in their eyes. She needed Nic’s calm presence and unwavering, patient gaze.
“You’re doing wonderfully, Kate. I expect the first one to be coming any time now. How are you with the pain?” Doc asked.
“Hurts like hell, but what are my options. Epidurals don’t exactly work on shifters.” Kate breathed through her next contraction, keeping her eyes locked with Nic’s.
“Which is why your breathing partner is so important. Nic, I have to say you’re doing a wonderful job,” Felix complimented.
“I was jealous, but not anymore. I can see why she needs him. Hell, he’s calming me down from across the room,” Bran admitted.
“Well this party is just starting. Take a seat, gentlemen, it may be a while,” Doc said.
Kate looked over to her mates.
“I love you both.” She put her heart behind her words.
“We love you too, Katie Bell,” Caleb said, taking her hand. She took a deep breath and braced for the next contraction.
“Okay, one more push, Kate.” Doc ordered. Caleb stood on one side holding one leg, while Bran stood on the other holding the other.
“I can see the head, Kate!” Bran exclaimed.
“You can do it,” Nic whispered.
“This is what you’ve been dreaming of for so long. One more push, Kate.” Nic squeezed her hand. Crying out and bearing down with every ounce of strength, Kate pushed. She felt a second of intense pressure and then relief. And then there was the sound she had been waiting her whole life to hear. Her baby’s cry.
“It’s a boy, Katie, we have another boy!” Caleb shouted, tears streaming down his face.
Felix took the baby to the side table and began to clean him up.
“We’re not quite done, Katie, you got one more. How are you holding up?” he asked.
“I’m tired. But, I can’t wait to hold them,” she whispered through dry lips. Nic reached over and brushed her lips with a moist cloth. She smiled her thanks. Another contraction started.
“Okay Kate, one huge push,” Doc yelled.
