Page 62 of Flirt

I ran my hand over Gabriella’s head and watched as they dealt with Ethan. His cry was definitely acknowledgement to his unhappy state. Mac turned with Ethan in her arms and walked toward me.

“Here you go, Daddy. Say hi to your son. We’ll let you hold him a second, then you can pass him off to Mom and she can see if he is interested in nursing,” Mac said and smiled when I reached out and took him into my arms.

“Thank you, Angel,” I said vehemently.

“Anytime. Well, after maybe a year or so,” Gabriella answered, and both Mac and I chuckled. I kissed Ethan’s forehead and passed him off to Gabriella who already had her gown pushed aside exposing her breast to see if the little guy would nurse.

I watched amazed as he rutted around her breast. “Going to be a breast man for sure,” I said.

Mac snorted. “Is there a man who isn’t?”

“Not sure, but his interest verifies he belongs to me.” I grinned when Gabriella looked at me and rolled her eyes.

“Ethan’s color, lungs, toes, fingers, and most importantly, his heart all look and sound great. I won’t even get upset when you unwrap him and check for yourself. He weighs eight pounds even and measured twenty-two inches long. You did an awesome job, Brie. He is gorgeous,” Mac said as she observed Ethan trying his best to find the food source.

Ethan’s face reddened and he let out a cry of frustration. Gabriella helped him and his little mouth finally found her nipple and latched on.

“Excellent. Good to see he isn’t going to have to be coaxed. Some newborns fight it and the mothers get frustrated,” Mac injected.

“Sawyer was the same. I never had a problem breastfeeding her,” Gabriella stated.

“Oh my God, I forgot to tell you that while you were getting prepped for delivery, Carly’s water broke in the waiting area. Seems I’m going to have a busy night,” Mac said and shook her head.

“How’s Crusher hanging in?” I asked, and Gabriella eyed me as if to say ‘really.’

“He was doing great, cool and calm. At least when I left him with Carly. Not sure what kind of shape he’ll be in when I get back in there. When I was leaving the room, she was already saying that she was going to shoot him. If Crusher doesn’t sleep with one eye open, he is as crazy as she is,” Mac said and laughed.

I realized both women knew why I asked. I wanted Crusher to be acting semi-nuts like I had. Though, like Mac had pointed out, the man did live with Carly.

“Thanks, Mac, for everything. You know I didn’t mean all the stuff I said before,” I apologized.

“Please, I’m getting kind of used to it with you guys. Besides, if you are yelling and complaining, it means you are still standing and breathing. You would be surprised at the number of dads who spend the delivery of their child on the floor.” At Mac’s words, the nurse across the room snorted.

“When can Sawyer come in?” Gabriella asked.

“We’re going to give you a few minutes together, then you’ll be taken to a room. If you need anything before a nurse checks back in or I do, buzz for help. I’m going to go check on Carly really quick, then I’ll swing by the waiting area and let everyone know Ethan has arrived, then I’ll bring Sawyer with me when I head back in this direction. Let you guys spend some time as a family before the others converge,” Mac said and turned toward the door.

“Hey, Mac, any chance Carly and Gabriella can share a room like Sami and Luna did? It sure would save everyone from going back and forth between two rooms,” I asked.

Mac looked over her shoulder and grinned. “Please, that was done before they finished mopping Carly’s water off the floor,” Mac said and laughed as she pulled the door open and walked with the nurse.

I rested a hip on the side and leaned my upper body on the mattress next to Gabriella, facing her with my one arm curved over her head. “I love you, Angel,” I said as I let a strand of her hair fall through my fingers and listened to her talk softly to our son.

“Love you more, Max.”

“Angel, I don’t think that’s possible.” I laid my head beside hers on the pillow. “Turning around and following you back into Whispering Nights was the best decision I ever made.”

Gabriella adjusted and cradled Ethan with one arm, then turned her head so we were face to face. She raised the freed hand and placed it on the side of my face. Then she used her thumb and caressed my cheek.

“Yes, it was,” she said and smiled. “I’ll be thankful for the rest of my life.

I smiled and kissed her on her nose. When she turned her head back to our son, I closed my eyes and sighed.

Before long, a nurse came in and Gabriella was moved to a semi-private room. No sooner that she and Ethan were settled, the door opened and Sawyer walked in holding Mac’s hand.

“Delivering a little girl anxious to meet her brother,” Mac said as they entered, and she let go of Sawyer’s hand.

“Whoa,” I said just in time to stop Sawyer from diving on the bed.

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