Page 11 of A Game-Changing Christmas

Camilla nodded frantically, and she and Claudia held their breaths while the doctor checked her cervix.

“I should probably wait outside,” Claudia said, trying to make a run for the hills. It was the last thing she should’ve spoken because Camilla’s grip became a vice.

“Look!” Camilla said, bringing Claudia’s wide-eyed attention to her flustered face. “I know we don’t know each other, but we’re in this together now, sis. Shit happens. You are not leaving me in this room by myself!”

Claudia pursed her lips and nodded vigorously.

“You’re right.” Claudia offered her other hand to Camilla, and Camilla sighed as if she’d been holding her breath. She released Claudia’s shoulder to accept Claudia’s hand with a hold just as strong as her shoulder grip. “I’m here with you.”

Camilla nodded, relieved. “I’ll return the favor if you need me to,” Camilla offered. Claudia couldn’t help but feel a little reprieve, too, even though chances were she’d be attached to Jaden’s hip once she got that far along. No way was she going into labor without him.

Hunter entered the room full speed like a dominant force to be reckoned with. Broad shoulders and an athlete physique carried him in a rush to the other side of the bed.

“Angel…” he said, bringing his lips to her perspired forehead.

“Oh my God, baby,” Camilla huffed, and she released Claudia’s fingers to grip Hunter’s strong hand. “Aaaaaaah,” she screamed as another contraction slipped through her.

“Breath with me, like we practiced,” Hunter said, his dark brown gaze holding her in a steady spell.

Camilla followed his lead, blowing and inhaling with a continual rhythm. Suddenly, Claudia realized she was doing the same thing, as if it were a practice run for such a time as this.

“The baby is on his way. I’m sorry, Mrs. Valentine, there’s no time for an epidural.”

Camilla shut her eyes tight, and Claudia felt the walls of her own vagina clinch. It was as if Camilla’s pain was experienced by Claudia. Damn. Claudia swallowed heavily and tried to shake the muddle she’d ventured into; watching the doctors and nurses, along with this beautiful couple give birth to their son.

Hunter’s attention was stolen briefly. “Doctor,” his deep voice barked.

“Yes, Mr. Valentine.”

“Did you say the baby’s on his way?”

Dr. Peterson glanced from Camilla to Hunter. “You didn’t know?”

An overjoyed expression washed over Hunter’s gaze. “No,” he murmured.

“Well congratulations. You’re having a boy.”

“Aaaaaaaaaah!” Camilla screamed, bringing Hunter, Claudia, and Dr. Peterson back to the matter at hand.

Two intense hours and forty-five minutes later, Hunter Valentine junior was born. Wrapped in a terry cloth blanket, tucked in the loop of Camilla’s arm, baby Hunter slept.

“You are amazing,” Claudia said to Camilla with a thoughtful smile.

Camilla returned her gesture. “So are you.” The two shared a friendly moment. “Would you like to hold him?”

Claudia’s mouth opened on a gasp, and she covered her heart with a hand.

“Could I?”

Camilla glanced at Hunter who was parked at Camilla’s side.

“Of course,” they both said.

With her mouth open, and her eyes lit up, Claudia slipped her arms through a hospital shirt then washed her hands and strolled back over to Camilla’s beside. The transfer coated Claudia in warmth, and her heart double-tapped in her chest.

“Oh my Goooood,” she whispered on a coo. “He is so beau-ti-ful.”

With a head full of black curls, cocoa brown skin, thick brows, and lashes like his father, Hunter Valentine junior slept soundly. “Wow,” Claudia continued to whisper. “You’ve got that new car smell, Hunter,” she joked, causing Hunter and Camilla to laugh quietly. “I just want to let you know I got first dibs on the godmother position. That other girl, what’s her name, Allison? She gone be salty.”

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