Page 31 of Bound to the Mafia Guard

Rowan shuffled into the room. His hand was on his lower back, his large belly entering the room first. He groaned.

"Okay, we have to speed this up. I can't go any longer."

I’d walked with him for hours, but eventually he had pushed me away, demanding that he have some space.

I was at his side in an instant. "Let's get you to the hospital room. Cord, can you tell Dr. Nindy that's where we'll be."

"Of course."

Once we were in the room, I helped Rowan on to the bed. "You're doing great, Rowan. You've got this."

He shot me a glare. "Yeah, that advice was fantastic at nine this morning, when I was only a few hours into this, but it's been fifteen hours, Trev! Fifteen!"

He took a deep breath, counting as he slowly held it and then exhaled out.

"I hear we think we're ready to have a baby." Dr. Nindy glided into the room with Joey following close behind. "My nurse is stuck in traffic, so if you don't mind, Joey will be assisting."

"Can he get this baby out of me faster?" Rowan asked.

Joey had a deer-in-headlights look to him. "I can try?"

"Then you can stay."

"All right, let's see where we are then," Dr. Nindy said. "Rowan, you've been so strong throughout this whole pregnancy. All the while going through school and moving to a new home. I just need you to be strong for a little while longer, okay?"

Thank goodness for her confidence. Her praise put him at ease, and his shoulders relaxed.

I was able to let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Then another contraction hit, stronger than any one before it. Rowan gripped my hand.

Dr. Nindy focused on her examination, taking a look at how Rowan was progressing and jotting down notes. "All right, Rowan, with this next contraction, I want you to push, okay?"

"Push? Already?"

She raised a brow. "You wanted to get this done, right?"

"Of course. I just thought maybe I'd have more time."

She chuckled. "You're ready, Rowan. Let's meet your baby."

Joey snapped on a pair of gloves. "You've got this Rowan. Just trust the process. I promise you're ready."

Rowan nodded. "Okay. I can do this."

I held Rowan's hand throughout each and every push. He gripped me tightly, cutting off circulation and making my fingers numb.

Words failed me. All I could do was tell him that he was doing great and how much I loved him. I wanted to say so much more, yet the words wouldn’t come.

"Oh gawd! It hurts"

"Just remember to focus on your breathing," I encouraged. Never before had I felt so helpless. Not even when I was lying nearly dead in the hospital. I could do nothing but be here for him.

"Last push!" Dr. Nindy said.

I hoped she was right.

Rowan let out one last shout, then there was a frenzy of activity at the end of the bed.

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