Page 60 of The Ties That Bind
“It’s official. You’re fully dilated, lass.”
He glanced at Sir, “You may want to give your Russian friend a call. It won’t be long now.”
Dr. Glas asked Brie, “Are you ready to find out the sex of your child?”
Brie felt butterflies when she answered, “Never been more ready!”
While the doctor left to gather the team, her parents filed back in. “I’m going to wait in the waiting room,” her father announced, leaning down to kiss Brie on the forehead.
He grabbed the stack of crosswords and said, “I love you, little girl,” before quickly exiting the room.
Her mother watched him go and sighed. “I’m afraid he’s not any good seeing people he loves in pain.”
“Understandable,” Sir replied.
Brie took Sir’s hand and gazed up at him. “Lucky for me, Sir has no issues with that.”
He winked at her, acknowledging the double meaning.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I have to join him. Bill is trying hard to cover it, but he’s a mess.”
“I understand, Mom.”
She hugged Brie hard before turning to Sir, but she wasn’t quick enough and Brie caught the worried look she gave Sir.
“Let me walk you out, Mrs. Bennett,” Sir replied, escorting her out of the room.
When he returned a few minutes later, Brie asked him, “What was that all about?”
“Your parents are concerned about your well-being, babygirl. They just needed some reassurance.”
Brie could understand why they were worried, but she no longer had any doubts that both she and the baby would be fine. It allowed her to savor this moment without any fear.
“I’m calling Durov,” Sir informed her, holding the phone so Brie could see Rytsar when he answered.
“Radost moya!” Rytsar bellowed when the phones connected.
“Rytsar!” she cried back. “Are you ready to become adyadyaagain?”
He stared at her with those intense blue eyes and stated, “It is my greatest honor.”
Brie felt tingles in her soul knowing he meant it. “I’m grateful you can be here with us.”
“While it is not the same as being there in person, this will do.”
Sir smiled at him. “I agree, old friend.”
“How are you holding up, Brother?”
Sir glanced at Brie. “Better than expected, considering the start to the day.”
“Actually, it started out perfect,” she told Rytsar. “It wasn’t until I started drinking Nonna’s hot chocolate that everything went south…”
Two nurses walked in behind Dr. Glas. He smiled confidently at Brie and clapped his hands together. “Let’s deliver this babe.”
The nurses moved to either side of Brie to help support her legs during delivery while Sir stood beside Brie with one hand on her shoulder as he continued their video call with Rytsar.
When Dr. Glas told Brie to bear down, she felt an inner confidence she had never felt before and pushed for all she was worth. After the powerful contraction passed, she looked up at Sir and the camera with eager anticipation.
