Page 31 of Love Unexpected

“Tell me what you see,” the operator demands.

“I see a little more of the head.”

Emma collapses back onto the pillows, gasping for air. “Keep pushing, baby!” I urge her again.

She sits back up immediately, tucking her chin to her chest and screams through her next push.

“I see the head emerging. It’s… oh, there’s the shoulders!” I exclaim, feeling a rush of adrenaline. “Just one more push!” I encourage, maintaining eye contact with Emma, who nods, full of determination. “This is it, Emma. Come on, baby, one more push and he’ll be here!” I shout.

With a final explosive burst of effort, she pushes fiercely, and I feel the weight of a small body slip into my hands.

Chapter 28

Noah

“I got the baby!” I yell, overwhelmed with emotions as I hold the tiny newborn securely against my chest.

Emma begins sobbing at the same time the baby’s wails pierce through the room, and I myself choke back my tears.

“Noah!” Emma gasps, her voice breaking through my daze as her eyes dart between my face and the small bundle in my hands. “Is he okay? What’s wrong?”

I pull the baby back to take a better look. The rush of emotions I feel looking down at the tiny figure in my arms is unreal. “It’s a girl, Emma!” I say in surprise.

“A girl?” she asks confused and surprised.

“The doctor got it all wrong. She’s a girl,” I say as I stare down at the tiny little thing that already carries traces of the woman I adore. “She’s so beautiful, so perfect.” I gently lay her on Emma’s chest, careful not to let go of her as Emma looks too exhausted to keep herself up.

“Hey baby girl,” Emma whispers. “Welcome to the world.”

The operator’s voice crackles through the phone, “Sir, are you with me?”

“Yes, I’m here,” I respond, my voice steadier now that it’s over. “The baby is out. She looks healthy. We need assistance for Emma.”

“Okay, keep her calm. Help should be there soon,” she reassures me before disconnecting.

I look at Emma, her forehead beaded with sweat, the fight slowly ebbing from her eyes as she gazes at her newborn daughter. “I amsoproud of you,” I whisper.

I kiss Emma’s damp forehead and close my eyes, overcome with emotion. I never imagined I would feel a connection to the baby like I do, an instant bond that feels both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. I open my eyes and silently watch Emma cradle the baby. My heart swells with unexpected love for both of them.

“Noah. Thank you,” Emma looks up at me with tears trailing down her cheeks. “I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for being here.”

The moment is interrupted by a sudden pounding at the door. I quickly let the paramedics inside and lead them to the bathroom. They rush inside, duffle bags in hand full of supplies. I stand to the side as they do a quick assessment of Emma and the baby. My heart swells with pride when they hand me shears and allow me to cut the umbilical cord.

I keep my focus on Emma as they lift her and the baby up onto the stretcher and wrap them with blankets. She’s wheeled through the house and loaded up into the back of the ambulance. I step inside while they finish loading up their supplies and hook her up to an IV.

“I’ll be right behind y’all,” I tell her, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

“Okay,” she leans into my touch and kisses my palm. I don’t want to leave them, the urge to stay has never been so strong. Reluctantly, I give her one last kiss on the lips before getting into my own car.

I follow closely behind the ambulance, ensuring no other cars slip between us. Although I know they’re fine, they’re in good hands, the flashing lights and sirens on the ambulance heighten my anxiety.

When we’re around ten minutes away from the hospital, I watch in horror as the ambulance suddenly floors it in front of me. The sirens begin blaring louder than before.

“What the hell?” I mutter, pressing down on the gas to stay with them. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up;something is definitely wrong. I can see the paramedics moving around through the tiny windows on the back of the truck.

“Go faster!” I yell in the silence of my car.

Time slows down the rest of the way to the hospital. I run every stop sign and red light along with the ambulance. When we finally get to the emergency bay, I pull up right behind the ambulance and jump out.

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