Page 231 of Say My Name

Dominic stands beside me, one hand gripping mine, the other on my shoulder.

“I can’t do this,” I say, the words torn out of me. I feel like my own body is breaking apart.

“You are doing it.”

“I hate that answer.”

“I know.”

“I need something better.”

His face is pale, his eyes fixed on mine.

“You won't be alone for one second of it.”

That will have to be good enough.

The pressure builds until I can't think around it.

“Dominic.”

“I'm right here, Elena.”

I hold his eyes and push.

Pain, instructions, Dominic's hand in mine. I lose count of everything except the times I hear his voice. He tells me I'm doing well only when I need to hear it. When I tell him to stop talking, he stops. When I reach for him again, he's there.

Then a sharp, furious cry fills the room.

For one breath, I don't understand what it is.

Everything keeps moving. Danielle speaks. Someone adjusts the bed. Dominic's fingers close hard around mine.

Then our baby is lifted into view.

“Oh my God.”

My voice breaks.

The baby is placed against my chest, warm and damp and impossibly small. A tiny mouth opens against my skin. One fist presses beneath a round cheek.

“Hi,” I whisper.

My hand trembles when I touch that soft head, the fine hair like silk beneath my fingertips.

“Hi, baby. We’ve been waiting for you.”

I look at Dominic.

He hasn't moved.

One hand grips the bed rail. His eyes are fixed on the baby, and every trace of control has disappeared from his face. He looks stunned and terrified. His eyes fill before he even blinks.

“Dominic.”

He looks at me.

“Come here.”