Page 119 of Knotting With A Stranger

“Just Lily is fine,” I manage through gritted teeth as another contraction begins.

“And you are...” she asks, glancing between my three hovering Alphas.

“The fathers,” they reply in unison, causing the nurse’s eyes to widen momentarily before she composes herself.

“All three of you?”

“All three,” I confirm, unable to suppress a laugh despite the pain. “Hope that’s not a problem.”

“Not at all,” she assures me quickly. “Just making sure I understand the situation. We’ll need to prepare a slightly larger delivery room to accommodate everyone.” She wheels me through the automatic doors, my Alphas close by.

“You’re all going to be amazing dads,” I tell them during a brief respite between contractions. “Stop looking so terrified.”

“We’re not worried,” Archer protests unconvincingly. “We’re ready.”

“Speak for yourself,” Hunter mutters. “I’m terrified.”

This admission makes me laugh, which quickly turns into a groan as another contraction hits, stronger than the last.

The next few hours pass in a blur of pain, encouragement, and medical attention. I’m admitted, examined, and settled into a delivery room. My men never leave my side, rotating positions, so one always holds my hand, one keeps cool cloths on my forehead, and one runs interference with the medical staff, ensuring my birth plan is followed to the letter.

It all feels like a blur of pain, trepidation, and excitement.

I notice more than one nurse’s lingering glance at them. But as James predicted months ago, they might as well be invisible.They have eyes only for me and the impending arrival of our children.

“Eight centimeters,” the doctor announces after checking my progress. “Moving along faster than I expected for a first-time mother with twins.”

“She’s always been an overachiever,” Archer quips, earning a weak smile from me before another contraction claims my attention.

The pain is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced—wave after wave of pressure and burning that makes me question every life choice that led to this moment. I’d opted for minimal pain intervention, wanting to be fully present for the birth, but now I’m reconsidering the wisdom of that decision.

“You can do this,” James murmurs, his lips close to my ear. “You’re the strongest person I know.”

“We’re right here,” Hunter adds from my other side, his large hand engulfing mine. “Not going anywhere.”

“And just think of the story we’ll tell these kids,” Archer chimes in, massaging my shoulders with surprising skill. “How their beautiful, badass mother brought them into the world while three grown Alpha men nearly fainted at the sight.”

That earns him a strangled laugh that morphs into a cry as the most intense contraction yet seizes me.

“It’s time,” the doctor announces, suddenly all business. “These babies are ready to meet their parents.”

Pain beyond imagining pulses through me, interrupted by moments of clarity so profound, they feel almost spiritual. My focus narrows to the encouragement of my three men, their voices grounding me through the seemingly impossible task of bringing our children into the world.

“I can see the head!” James exclaims, tears flowing freely now. “Oh my God, Lily, you’re doing it!”

“Push when you’re ready,” the doctor instructs calmly. “Nice and steady.”

I bear down with everything I have. Gripping Archer and Hunter’s hands, a primal sound tearing from my throat I barely recognize as my own.

“That’s it, that’s it,” Hunter encourages, his usual stoicism completely abandoned. “You’ve got this, Lily. You’re amazing.”

With one final, monumental effort, our first child slips into the world, a cry filling the room that makes all four of us gasp in unison.

“It’s a boy!” the doctor announces, placing the squirming, red-faced infant briefly on my chest before the nurses whisk him away for initial checks.

“A son,” Archer breathes, looking shell-shocked and ecstatic. “We have a son.”

Before I can fully process this miracle, my body reminds me that we’re only halfway done. The contractions resume, somehow both less and more intense, now that I know what to expect.

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