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We’ve practiced this numerous times, so I know it helps her.
My hands move with her, massaging slow, firm circles over the tightness in her lower back.
“That’s it.” I whisper, keeping my body close to hers, letting her use me as her anchor. “Let your body do what it needs to do. I’ve got you, beauty.”
She hums a soft, relieved sound with her forehead still pressed against my chest.
“It feels good.”
I smile, pressing a kiss to her hair.
“That’s what I want to hear. We’ll keep doing this for as long as you need, okay?”
She nods, and that’s when I spot movement at the entrance of the room.
Nikolai steps in, his phone tucked away into his pocket, as his sharp eyes sweep over us.
He nods, looking straight at me.
“The doctor is on her way. Everything is falling into place now.”
A silent exchange passes between us.
We’ve got her. We always do.
Chiara sighs against me, rocking slowly as another contraction appears.
My brother moves into the room, his arms sliding around Chiara’s waist as she leans back into him, groaning slightly.
We move in sync with her, swaying softly as she breathes sharply with each contraction.
She trusts us to carry her through this, and we will.
Every step of the way.
It feels like time bends and warps around us.
I have no idea how long it’s been—minutes, hours—but none of it matters.
All that matters isher.
Chiara is in the birthing pool now, her body half-submerged in the warm water, her belly round and tight with every contraction.
She’s glowing like this, sweat-damp and flushed, with strands of hair clinging to her face.
And fuck, she’s never looked more beautiful.
More powerful.
More ours.
Nikolai is behind her, kneeling on the floor just outside of the pool, supporting her with his hands pressed firmly on her shoulders.
His lips brush the side of her head as he murmurs soft words of encouragement into her ear.
I’m in front of her, kneeling inside the pool itself, holding her hands as I rub my thumbs over her knuckles every time another contraction hits.
She’s panting now, her body trembling, her fingers squeezing mine so tight it sends a dull ache up my arm.