Page 100 of Promise Me Not

I move her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear the way she likes to do. “I’ll be right here the whole time.”

Slowly she nods, and together, we look to the doc.

“Okay.” The doc hunches down slightly. “In three, two, one…”

Payton groans, her teeth clacking as she shouts through them, her body curling up into an impossible crunch. Her face starts to turn two shades too red, and Parker and I lock eyes, fear and uncertainty burning like lava in my veins.

“Good,” the doc praises, and Payton falls back against the bed, panting. “A few more like that. Deep breath. The next contraction is already coming. Get ready in three, two, one…”

“Ahh!” Payton shouts, clenching again, her hand shaking, nails digging into my skin.

My jaw is locked, and I’m fucking sweating.

Payton settles again, her breathing all over the place, and those teary eyes find mine once more.

“You’re going so damn good,” I rasp.

“I can see the head,” the doc announces.

“She can see the head.”

“Two more and you get to meet your baby.”

“Two more and?—”

The doctor snickers, and I clamp my mouth closed, gaze snapping around the room.

Even Parker is smirking, his gaze narrowed, though he quickly points it back to his sister. “You’re so close, Peep. Come on.”

“And three, two, one…”

Payton pushes, her shoulders trembling and legs shaking with the force.

“The head is out. Another push.”

“I can’t!” Payton cries.

“Come on, Payton,” the doctor encourages calmly. “One more.”

Payton shakes her head, dropping it back and shouting into the room as her body locks tight.

I lean over, pressing my forehead to hers, and our eyes meet.

“Payton, you need to push.” The doctor is a little more urgent this time.

Payton’s lip trembles as she stares at me, her head moving back and forth.

“Yes, baby,” I breathe. “You can do this. Come on, Pretty Little. You’re so close. Show me how strong you are. How fucking brave.” My lips slide across her cheek, and she cries harder. “You can do this. Let’s go.”

Slowly, she nods and starts to push. Her features pull tight, the cries of a warrior slipping from her lips, sweat rolling from her forehead and mixing with mine, but I don’t dare move. I hold her eyes, and with our gazes tied, pulses pounding dangerously fast, we hear it.

The softest, craziest fucking sound I’ve ever witnessed.

A little broken cry.

Awe. Complete and total awe, that’s the expression that blankets her face.

Her entire body goes limp, tears streaming down her face at an unstoppable rate.

---