Page 59 of Omega's Reluctant Mate
I hung up as both dogs gave me concerned glances. Luckily they seemed to understand that the walk was over, and they sat, flanking me as guards as I sat on the sand.
Oscar was the first to reach me, taking the leashes so that I could focus on breathing.
Miriam was next, informing me that an ambulance was on its way, and that Nate’s plane was due to land any minute. She’d already chartered a helicopter to get him to Harris Cove faster than a car could.
I nodded, but, as another contraction ripped through me, I knew that he wouldn’t make it.
I burst into tears. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Nate was supposed to be at my side. I was supposed to have an epidural in a hospital room.
Instead I’d be lucky if Miriam wasn’t playing catch with my baby.
“Corey!” Theo cried as he rushed and knelt beside me. “How close are they?”
“Close!” I shouted.
He nodded, then looked between Miriam and Oscar. “Hot water and towels! Sterile gloves if you have them. Get Corey a bottle of water too. We can wait for the ambulance for things like cutting the cord.”
“I’m closer,” Oscar declared. “With me.”
“Done,” Miriam stated.
The sound of feet rushing as both house managers scrambled to get everything.
“Focus on me,” Theo said as he moved. “Can you shift enough for me to pull your pants off?”
“I-I think so.”
He helped me maneuver enough to get my pants off, then knelt between my legs.
“I’ve never done this before,” he admitted.
“Neither have I.”
He laughed. “I’m supposed to be the one who jokes, remember?”
“You’re also the one who’s looking at my junk right now.”
He smiled. “I think kneeling is going to be the best option. Can you do that?”
“Kneeling?” I cried.
“I’ll be here to play catch,” he stated. “But it’ll change the position of everything, which will help. Birthing beds are made to get you in an easy position for the doctor, but we don’t have a bed here, so this will give me better access. Gravity will also help.”
I took a deep breath. “O-ok.”
“Good. We’ll move you as soon as Oscar and Miriam are back. But let me know if you feel a need to push. Ok?”
I nodded as another contraction gripped me.
“Was it this bad for you?” I asked.
“I was in labor for over a full day,” Theo replied. “Totally different experience. By the time I had to push, I was just ready to be done with it.”
“I think I’d have liked to at least made it to a hospital first,” I replied.
“We’ll split the difference next time, ok?” he offered.
“Deal!”
