Page 70 of Derecho

“There’s a lot of pressure. It feels different,” I grunted through the latest contraction.

“Their house is right here, Lainey. We’re pulling in now and you’re doing so good. Just keep breathing.”

I felt the truck stop moving, recognizing the sounds of both guys getting out of the vehicle. I rolled, sitting down in the seat before my door opened and I was back in Beau’s arm. I reached out for Lach, who slipped his hand right into mine without a single word.

“What’s going on?” The wooden screen door clanged against the frame as Birdie came rushing out, but I couldn’t focus on anything other than the contraction that was building. There wasn’t a way in the world my grip wasn’t crushing all the bones in Lachlan’s hand as Beau carried me up the stairs, and I screamed. I didn’t care who was there, who could hear me. I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Oh, okay. Okay. Here, Beau, bring her upstairs and we’ll see how things are going.”

“Things…Fucking….Suck.”

Somehow in the commotion of getting upstairs, I lost my hold on Lach. As soon as I felt Beau set me down on a bed, I opened my eyes just in time to see Birdie squeezing Beau’s arm. “Thank you for going to check on them.”

“Womanly intuition. I’ll never understand it, but damn, is it powerful.”

“How am I still in labor? Why won’t he come?”

Apparently, we didn’t need to rush right over here. Because even as the contractions kicked my ass one after the other with so much pressure in my pelvis I could swear this creature was about to fall out at any second, the little alien didn’t seem ready to come out into the world.

“First babies can be really stubborn.” My sister tore the blood pressure cuff off my arm. “But you’re doing great. Hayes and Colt are going to get the roads cleared to the ranch and there’s going to be a big, beautiful ambulance to take you and the baby to the hospital soon. Not that you need to go, because everything here is handled and I’m not worried about anything. But I know your plan was always to give birth and recover there, so that’s the goal. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“They called an hour ago. Why isn’t it here yet? I can’t do this, Birdie. I don’t…I don’t want to do this.”

“This is why it’s called labor, Lain. It’s hard work. But you can do it. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. So don’t talk like that.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You’ve always wanted to be a mom. You were made for it. Me? I hate kids. Look at how awkward I was with everyone at the springs…ohhh…” My breath whooshed out of my lungs, but for the first time since my water broke, I couldn’t get any air back in.

“I need him. I need him…to come…here…” God, that admission cracked something in my soul wide open. The tears finally let loose, and my face was a mess before I could pull in my next breath.

“The baby? He’s coming. You’re doing such a great job.”

“No!” I gasp. I needed Lachlan. I needed to feel his arms around me again. I needed to hear his grumbly voice tell me to stop being so dramatic, and that I had a job to do bringing my son into the world. “Lachlan. I need Lachlan. I need him. Please, Birdie. I need him now. Please.”

Another contraction gripped me, forcing my eyes closed. My fingers clawed at the blankets under me, my grip the only thing keeping me tethered to the Earth. I couldn’t say how long it’d been going on before a warm, calloused hand wrapped around my arm, squeezing with a magnitude of gentle reassurance words could never hold.

“Shhh. I’m here, sweetheart. I’m right here. We’ve got this.” I felt Lach’s body slip behind mine on the bed. His legs cocooned me, and I sank back against his chest.

“Don’t leave me again,” I growled.

“Me?” He dared to laugh in my ear. My fingers landed on his thigh, digging in. “Hey.” Lach chuckled. “I didn’t want to go in the first place! I just didn’t want to intrude on any sacred womanly work.”

“Don’t argue with me! I already feel like I’m being ripped apart. Just…don’t…fuck, I can feel…him….”

“Okay,” Lachlan cooed. “Okay, breathe, Lainey. Just breathe. Birdie? What do we do?”

My sister’s laughter filtered from the bottom of the bed as I felt her hand touch my ankle.

“Well, Lach, we deliver this baby. Looks like all team members are finally in position, including my sweet nephew. Lain, are you feeling the urge to push?”

Christ, yes! Yes, I was. It was like every muscle in my body was screaming that I needed to get the baby out right this second. I couldn’t do anything except nod as my muscles all contracted down. Lachlan’s hand laid over my belly, and I could feel the strength and support pouring from his body into my own.

“You’re amazing. You’re doing amazing,” he coached as I bared down.

“Lach’s right. You’re doing absolutely brilliant. I knew you were going to be a powerhouse when it came time to get down to business. Listen to your body, and push when you feel the urge.”

We went back and forth, pushing, resting, feeling like I was being pulled in half like a piece of taffy that was about to break apart. And just when it seemed like I was never going to make it, a tidal wave of relief hit me as I felt him leave my body. A bright, piercing cry filled the room, and all I could do was close my eyes and rest my head back against Lachlan.

My sister placed the little invader on my chest, his weight settling against me while his face scrunched up in absolute protestation over his eviction from my womb.