Page 39 of Breaking Hudson

“You’re doing so good, Cole,” Hudson praises. When the contraction passes, I relax.

“One more, baby,” Dallas says. “One more and you get to meet her.”

“Fuck, it hurts,” I whimper again.

“I know, honey. You’re so close. You can do it,” Victoria encourages.

I whine when another contraction starts, but I start pushing again. This time is different. It’s like my body knows she’s almost here. I groan deeply as I bear down and push as hard as I can.

“Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. That’s it. Just a little longer,” Dallas encourages. “There she is.”

All at once, pressure sweeps over me. When Dallas pulls her up from the water and lays her on my chest, I start crying with her as she breathes her first breath of air.

“I’m so proud of you, Cole. You did it,” Hudson says tearfully as he holds us.

“You are amazing, Colette. You did incredible,” Dallas says sweetly, kissing me, and then our daughter.

“Oh, she’s beautiful,” Victoria sniffs.

“Isn’t she just the cutest?” Mom says, joining her in crying.

“James?” Dallas says.

“Hmm?” Dad asks.

“Want to cut the cord?” Dallas asks.

“Yes,” Dad says happily. I stay relaxed while the placenta is delivered and handed off to the midwife. We have decided that we want to donate it, so they go through all of that first.

“Wanna know her name?” I ask.

“Hmm?” Victoria asks, as I look down at my daughter. She is calm and relaxed against my chest as we lay against Hudson.

“Nicole Jillian,” I say. Both of my moms gasp and tear up again. “I wanted her to be named after the three strongest women that we know. My biological mother, my adopted mother… and me.”