Page 91 of Sexted By a Stranger
Hearing this, Luca looked up. "Then rest, stellina."
He set down his tablet and walked around the desk, pulling the pencil and sketchbook from my hands. "Inspiration doesn't come when you're exhausted."
Before I could protest, he bent down and scooped me up horizontally. I gasped softly, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Luca. I can walk by myself."
Well, protests were useless.
He carried me to the spacious sofa nearby.
His warm palm covered my aching lower back, gently massaging in soothing circles that nearly made me moan with relief.
"Little one's very active today," Luca's hand slid to my rounded belly, feeling the strong movements within. "Just like you—can't sit still."
I enjoyed the peace, my mouth curving upward. "Yeah, I hope the baby…" My words cut off as a sudden, gripping contraction exploded from deep in my lower abdomen.
I sucked in a sharp breath, my body instantly tensing as my fingers gripped tightly onto Luca's arms wrapped around me.
"Sheila?" Luca's voice turned sharp with concern. "What's wrong? What hurts?"
I panted heavily against his chest, fine beads of sweat forming on my forehead.
"Luca…" my voice trembled slightly, "it hurts…"
Immediately afterward, a warm gush of fluid completely beyond my control flooded out, soaking the sofa cushion beneath me.
Chapter 29
Sheila & Luca
Sheila
"Luca. I'm- the baby's coming."
"Don't be scared, I'm here." His voice cut through my panic as he quickly pressed the emergency communication button on the wall. "Williams, Lennox! Delivery room! Now!"
The manor instantly came alive.
The contractions were getting closer together, more intense.
"Sheila, look at me, breathe." Luca's voice anchored me as his hand gripped my cold, sweat-soaked fingers. "Inhale. That's it. Slow exhale. You can do this."
In the delivery room, medical equipment hummed to life while the medical team positioned themselves. Luca ignored their suggestions to leave, changing into sterile scrubs to stay by my side.
Each violent contraction tore through me like fire. I squeezed his hand until my knuckles turned white.
"Push. Sheila, I can see the baby's head." The doctor encouraged me.
Luca's palm was soaked with sweat as he leaned down to my ear, his voice tight with emotion. "Come on, stellina, our baby's almost here. I'm right here."
With one final, all-consuming push, I felt the release. Then immediately, a piercing cry shattered the tense atmosphere of the delivery room.
"Congratulations! She's a very healthy baby girl!" the nurse announced joyfully.
Tears instantly blurred my vision as overwhelming joy and exhaustion crashed over me simultaneously.
Our daughter.
