Page 19 of Bonding with the Beta (Fated Souls #2)

19

KAYLEIGH

“ W here. Is. Jax?” Ava screams from beside me.

Her brown hair clings to her sweaty forehead, her cheeks a dark shade of red, and her eyes glisten. I bounce my knee in the chair beside her, my stomach churning at the thought of Jaxon not being by her side. I bite down on my fingernail and chew, but I stop instantly.

Ava doesn’t need to know I’m worried.

“He’ll be here any second, I promise,” I say as I smooth back her hair.

I shouldn’t be trying to keep any promises, but I don’t know what else to say. I’ve never been good at comforting others. All I pray is that he’s going to burst through that door any moment.

A nurse dips her head between Ava’s legs and starts talking to the midwife in terms I do not understand. Ava grips my hand, and I glance at her, my bones feeling like they’re about to snap from her strength.

“I need him, Kayleigh,” she rasps as she shakes. “I-I can’t do this without him.”

Her breathing becomes heavier, and she holds my hand impossibly tighter. I stare at the way my fingers start losing blood circulation. I mentally wince but let her carry on because I’m not the one about to pop out a child.

“Let me call Kayden again. Yeah?” I say as I attempt to rip my hand from her death grip. “See where they are.”

Ava’s eyes look lost as I stand up, and eventually, she nods.

I grab my phone and head towards the door to call him in the hallway. As I grip onto the handle, a force behind the door pushes me backwards. I almost fall to the floor, but a hand reaches out to grab my wrist, stabilising me.

Jaxon rushes inside, flicking his eyes to me before they land on Ava in the bed. He moves to her side and leans down to cup her face as she cries. “Hey, baby,” he whispers. “I’m here now. I’m sorry it took so long.”

He wipes away her tears, and a wash of relief covers Ava’s face. It’s soon replaced with a look of agony as she contracts again. She cries out. “It hurts so fuck-ing bad,” she trembles.

Jaxon rests his forehead down onto hers gently. “I know it does, but you’re doing so well. Do you hear me? You can do anything, Ava,” he murmurs as he presses a kiss to her forehead. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

My chest contracts at the sight of them. My eyes sting at how he looks at her and the undeniable love they share. It’s special. It’s raw. Hell, I’m going to start crying before the baby is even born.

I suck in a breath and leave the room. It’s their moment. They’re becoming first-time parents. They’re going to need their privacy. I step into the hallway, and the scent of disinfectant swarms me. I run a hand down my face, and I release a sigh.

“Hey.”

A voice behind me makes me jump. I turn to face Kayden, sitting on one of the waiting chairs. He smiles when I look at him, dimples on show in a boyish grin.

“Hey.” I smile back as I slowly walk towards him, sitting in the next vacant chair.

“How’s she doing?”

“Having contractions,” I say. “Think it could be soon. Although I know nothing about pregnancies and giving birth.”

Kayden chuckles. “Me neither.”

“And my hand feels like it’s about to drop off. Ava has a crazy strong grip,” I say as I raise my hand to find the skin red, white, and blotchy.

He studies my hand for a moment before reaching for it, pulling it between his warm palms. “Jesus,” he hisses. “She really went to town on you.”

Then his thumbs begin to knead into my skin, catching me by surprise. A rush of tingles moves down my spine as his brows pinch together, attempting to get my hand to have feeling again. It’s a gesture so sweet and gentle that it makes my heart flutter.

I stay silent and enjoy the feeling of his hands. I watch his every move and how he takes his time, completely unhurried.

“Better?” he asks after a few moments.

My lips part, but I’m too stunned to say anything. Instead, I nod and bask in the gentle caress of his fingers. I slump back into the chair for a moment and smile at the way he doesn’t stop, not until my fingers are back to looking somewhat alive.

“I didn’t think you guys were going to make it on time,” I blurt as Kayden stops massaging my hands but doesn’t remove his fingers from mine.

I stare down at the way they’re laced together, sitting against the armrest of the waiting chairs. Kayden laughs softly. “Like I wasn’t going to get him here on time. I wouldn’t let him drive. He would have probably driven off-road and damaged his car severely.”

“Wise.”

The sound of Ava screaming bellows into the hall, and I flinch. I hate knowing how distressed she is, but at least she’s with Jaxon now. Soon, they’ll welcome their baby girl into the world, and this will all be a distant memory.

I slip my fingers from Kayden’s, but I immediately miss the warmth of his touch. I straighten in my seat, and he does the same.

“Is this a really shallow moment to say that I’m really glad I’m not a woman?” he asks.

I roll my eyes at him. “Most men wouldn’t be able to last five minutes trying to give birth.”

“You’re probably right.” He chuckles.

“I’m always right,” I say and pin him with a stare.

He narrows his eyes. “Not with the bet. Remember?”

“Of course.”

“I’m going to win,” he drawls cockily.

I scoff. “Not going to happen. I’ve known Ava since I was a child. I know her better than anyone.”

“We’ll see.” He winks.

We wait for another hour or so until the door in front of us cracks open, and Jaxon emerges. From the outside, he looks like a tough guy, but right now, with his bloodshot eyes and red circles, my heart strains, wondering if something has happened to Ava.

Then he smiles, and I finally take a breath. Kayden leans forward as I do with anticipation.

“Do you want to come and meet her?” he asks, his voice sounding fragile.

We both nod. “If that’s okay with you guys.”

Jaxon cracks another smile. “Of course.”

I’m on my feet as I speed towards the maternity room. Jaxon steps aside as I poke my head in to find their baby between Ava’s arms. She glances up at me and smiles weakly.

“How are you doing?” I ask as I reach the side of her bed.

Kayden congratulates Jaxon behind me.

Ava nods with teary eyes. “Really well,” she breathes, glancing down at their precious baby between her arms.

My throat tenses when I look down at her perfect little face. I gasp and hold my hands to my chest, keeping my tears from falling. “Oh, my goodness,” I gasp. “She’s so beautiful.”

“I know.” Ava sniffles as Jaxon settles by her other side and kisses her temple.

Kayden stands behind me and nods in agreement. “She’s adorable, guys.”

Ava’s finger traces her cheek gently.

“What are you guys going to name her?” I ask curiously.

Kayden’s eyes flick to the side of my face for a long moment.

“Aurora Lilly Harper.”

My heart aches at the cutest name I’ve ever heard, and I grin back at them with joy. “It’s perfect,” I whisper. “Congratulations, guys. I’m so happy for you. Ava, you’re a superwoman.”

Jaxon hums in agreement. “She did so well.”

“Actually…” Ava trails off as she flicks her eyes between us. “We wanted to ask you guys something.”

I share a glance with Kayden.

“Yeah?”

“Would you guys like to be her Goddessparents?”

“Do you mean Godparents?”

Ava’s cheeks flush. “Yeah, my brain is mush.”

I blink. “I didn’t know you guys are religious?”

“I suppose we like the idea of having two people we trust to help look after our little girl,” Jaxon says slowly. “We want you guys to be involved in her life because you’re very important to us.”

A hand presses to my mouth as I release a soft cry of happiness. “Yes,” I nod in agreement. “I’d love to be involved in her life as a Godmother.”

“Me, too,” Kayden says from behind me.

I twist my head to look at him, and he beams at me with the same expression I must have. The pleasure of being invited to be a part of their baby's life. I’ll do everything in my power to make myself present.

Ava turns to Jaxon with relief. “Thank you.”

“No.” I laugh out a sob. “Thank you for trusting us.”

Kayden’s fingers gently wrap around mine again, resting against the back of my thigh. I try my hardest to keep myself together, but I can’t stop the tears from free-falling. Instead, I squeeze his fingers back and drown in the sensation of his touch.

Jaxon whispers something to Ava as Kayden leans in, his lips hovering over my ear. “The name is cute, but I still won the bet.”

I gasp at him and shoot him a look. “No, you did not.”

He smirks as if he’s won the lottery. “I did.”

“We’ll discuss this later,” I say in a hushed tone.

“We sure will,” he says playfully.

My attention moves back to Ava. “How long are you meant to stay in the hospital?”

Ava sighs, her eyes firmly on Aurora. “Until they think I’m ready. But as long as I have these two, I’ll be just fine.”

My body warms at her happy ending. No one deserves it more than her.

“Lucy and Bash are coming over soon,” Jaxon comments and shoots Kayden a look, to which he nods as if they’re silently communicating something.

“You guys are going to be the best parents ever,” I comment.

Ava grins timidly at me. “I hope so. That's all I want.”

Jaxon shakes his head. “No need to hope. We are, Ava,” he says confidently. “We’re going to be the best parents ever.”