Page 137 of Onyx Realm

Focusing on that image, I let out a heavy exhale as the contraction subsided.

“You’re doing great,” Dorothea murmured. “On the next one, we’re going to push.”

There wasn’t much time to draw in the refreshing oxygen I needed to relax. Already, the next contraction was there, and with it, the ring of fire.

I’d read about this. I’d done everything I could to prep. But that splitting sensation overwhelmed me.

For the first time all day, I screamed.

“Push, S, you’ve got this,” Penny cheered softly, holding me tight.

“He’s not back yet,” I choked.

“Sshhh, right now, you need to focus on your baby,” Dorothea coached. “Give me another push, come on.”

I groaned, sagging against the swollen plastic. “He said he’d be back. What if something’s happened?”

“Then we’ll deal with it, but you need to focus—”

The words drowned as another contraction bit me with such force that I clenched tight. I didn’t need the coaching; the urge to push was pure instinct.

“I see the head!” Penny whooped, volume too loud, too close to my ear.

“One more, just one more,” Dorothea encouraged.

The negative response was on the tip of my tongue. But I dove deep, summoning the vibrant strength that was intrinsic to motherhood.

“I can do this,” I whimpered.

And pushed.

Pain split me from the inside. It ripped the fibers of my very being. But then...it stopped. The pressure released. I was empty. The release was euphoric.

The splash behind had me keeling over, sitting on my bottom and giving my aching knees the relief they needed.

There, being pulled out of the water by the capable hands of the older woman, was a little, blue lump.

“Mother of god! It’s not breathing!” I screamed.

Dorothea chuckled as she rubbed the baby’s back. “It’s a she, and she’s breathing just fine. Listen!”

A moment later, a strong, insistent cry filled the room.

I sobbed.

The next second, the little lump was in my arms. The tiny chest rose and fell. Frenzied wails turned to music as they hit my ears.

Beside me, Penelope was crying as well. “I can’t wait for my turn.”

Just then, the door burst open.

Instinctively, I clutched my baby to my chest, but then my brain registered the intruder—who should have been here from the beginning.

“Where have you been?” I croaked. “You weren’t here.”

Markos fell to his knees. There was a decided shake in his hands as he reached for me, for us. “I was here. I heard you, princess,” he whispered in Greek.

I hiccupped a laugh and leaned my head against his. “She’s perfect.”

---