Page 113 of Best Frenemies

He’s at my side and wrapping his arm around my waist. “We need to get a move on it, babe,” he whispers quietly into my ear. “Looks like we’re going to have our baby today.”

All I can do is nod through gritted teeth.

Holy moly. I’m about to have a baby.

Mack

“You can do it, babe,” I coach as Katy pushes with a contraction. “You got this.”

She grabs the backs of her thighs, and her face strains as she pushes with all of her might. My girl has been in labor for the past sixteen hours, and she’s been pushing for the past two. I know she’s tired, but I also know that she’s getting close. I can actually see the baby’s head at this point.

“You’re almost done, Katy,” Dr. Wethers encourages. “The head is right there. I think with the next contraction, the baby will be here.”

Katy looks up at me, her breaths slowing during the short break.

“You okay?” I ask her and she nods.

“Just ready to meet our baby.”

“I’m so proud of you,” I say and kiss her forehead. “Strongest woman I know.”

She smiles up at me, and I don’t think she’s ever looked more beautiful than she does in this moment. Sure, she’s sweaty and her hair is a mess, but she’s having our baby. Right now, Katy is delivering our child into the world. Nothing could ever be more beautiful than that.

“Okay, Katy, here it is,” Dr. Wethers announces. “Give me another big push with this contraction, and I think we’ll have a baby.”

Katy takes a big inhale of oxygen, grips the backs of her thighs, and pushes with everything inside her.

“That’s it,” Dr. Wethers says with a smile. “Keep going. Keep going.”

I watch as our baby leaves Katy’s body. And then, I hear the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard—our baby’s first cry.

“You did it!” Dr. Wethers cheers. And the two nurses in the room do the same.

“Good job, Katy!”

“Way to go, Katy!”

“And it’s a girl!” Dr. Wethers announces as she clutches our baby in her hands. “Congratulations, Mom and Dad, you have a daughter.”

I have a daughter? Holy shit, I have a daughter!

“You ready to cut the umbilical cord, Dad?” the doctor asks as she smiles up at me.

But I don’t even know what to say as I stand there, looking down at Katy’s and my daughter. All I can do is nod.

One nurse hands me surgical scissors, while the other holds the umbilical cord with a gloved hand. “Just right there, Dad. Right between my fingers.”

I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience as I cut my daughter’s umbilical cord, and a moment later, Dr. Wethers places our baby on Katy’s chest.

And I can’t fight the tears of joy carving paths down my cheeks.

“She’s so beautiful,” Katy whispers as she stares down at the tiny, precious little face.

“She’s perfect,” I say and lean down to kiss Katy’s forehead. “You’re perfect. I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

“Do you have a name?” one of the nurses asks, and Katy looks up at me with a soft smile on her face.

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