Page 49 of Saving Nevin
Fetching my cell, I dialed Mom’s number. It rang and rang, but no one answered. Shit. I waited a minute or so, then tried again. Nothing. Mom was a heavy sleeper, and if she’d had a busy day at the clinic, it’s likely she’d passed out early.
So I called Xan instead. Thank god, he picked up on the second ring. “What’s up?” he chirped. The sound of video games played in the background, like he hadn’t even bothered to hit the pause button.
“Xan? Where’s Mom.”
“Asleep? It’s like, midnight. What’s going on?”
“Wake her up,” I demanded. “Nevin’s gone into labor and in case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the middle of a snowstorm. There’s no way I can get him to the hospital in time.”
The line fell silent. “Oh. Shit. Okay. Hold on.” I heard a thump, then hurried footsteps. “Mom. Mom, wake up. Kace needs you. Nevin’s having a baby.”
“When?” I heard her mumble, still half-asleep.
“Now!” I insisted.
“Now!” Xan said.
“Let me talk to him.” Xan must’ve handed the phone over, because a moment later, her voice came on the line, still groggy but more awake. “Kace? Is everything okay? Where is he?”
“He’s in bed. His water broke. He said he’s having contractions. I don’t know what to do,” I said, the sentences strung together on a line. “What do I do? We’re in the middle of a freaking blizzard! I can’t get him to the hospital.”
“I’m coming. I’ll be there soon,” she promised. “Hang tight. In the meantime, fill a bucket with hot water and gather as many towels and old blankets as you can find. Kace, I know you’re freaking out but we’re delivering a baby tonight, sweetheart, so I need you to take a deep breath and be strong for Nevin, okay?”
“Okay,” I uttered, my throat thick. “Thank you.”
“Kace!” cried Nevin from the bedroom, and I thrust my phone into my pocket and ran to be with my mate.
Mom arrived, having traversed the snowstorm in wolf form, about fifteen minutes later and immediately stepped into her role as Alpha, barking orders.
Together, we guided Nevin through labor on prayers that the birth was normal and there was no complications.
Thankfully, we got our wish.
Zechariah Lane Howell was born at half-past two in the morning, beautiful as anything I’d ever seen before, with thick dark hair and blue eyes and a wail on him that could shatter glass.
Holding baby Zee in my arms, still covered in blood and screaming like a little lamb as Mom cut the umbilical cord, I felt my heart nearly stop. He was perfect. Utterly perfect.
On the bed, Nevin began to sob. Mom took the baby to clean him up so I could comfort my Omega and move him out of the mess. Nevin clung to me, tears on his lashes.
“Shh, it’s okay. Everything’s okay. You did so good, baby. I’m so proud of you,” I whispered, kissing him atop his sweat-damp curls.
Mom brought the infant over, swaddled in a blanket, and Nevin gasped softly. He held out his arms, a little shaky, and Mom placed our newborn son right where he belonged. My heart squeezed, and Mom began to clean up the mess, leaving us alone.
“He’s beautiful, isn’t he, Nev?” I murmured. “Our little Zechariah.”
Nevin stroked his fingers through Zee’s hair, kissing the baby again and again. “He’s so perfect,” he whispered, sounding awestruck.
Bianca jumped up on the edge of the bed with a soft, “Mwrooow?” and sniffed at the air. Nevin leaned over and offered the baby to her. She flicked an ear and gently sniffed Zechariah’s hair. Her blue eyes were inquisitive and curious as ever.
“They’re gonna be fast friends, I just know it,” Nevin said with a smile. Then he looked at me. “You know… I wouldn’t mind having another in a year or two.”
I laughed. “Babe, you just gave birth. We’re in for sleepless nights and dirty diapers from here on out. Let’s give it a couple of months, alright? I love you.”
He beamed tiredly up at me. “I love you too, Kace. Forever and always.”
