Page 22 of Brokered Betrayals
“One more push and she’ll be here,” Dr. Yang told them. “She has tons of dark hair.”
Sawyer’s heart had never pounded so hard, and he feared he would pass out if he didn’t calm down. He took a steadying breath because he would not miss this moment. Sawyer glanced over at the monitor as another contraction started. “Here we go, Kels. One more big push.”
Kelsey took a big breath and bore down one last time.
“Here comes her head,” Dr. Yang said.
Royce moved back to Kelsey’s knees and watched, his hand covering his mouth. Tears rolled down his face, and he turned and met Sawyer’s gaze. “She has so much hair.”
“Her head is clear. Just a little more effort and her shoulders will be free,” Dr. Yang encouraged.
Kelsey released a feral growl, pushing with everything she had.
“And here she is,” Dr. Yang said.
Sawyer looked at the foot of the bed in time to see the doctor holding Darla. Her arms waved angrily in the air, and her tiny cries filled the room. Their baby girl was a gooey mess but still the most beautiful sight Sawyer had ever seen.
Kelsey relaxed back against the bed and released a choked sob. “We did it.”
Sawyer leaned forward and kissed her temple. “No,youdid it.”
“Would you like to cut the cord?” Dr. Yang asked Royce.
“Yes, please.”
They’d planned this moment. Royce would cut the cord, and Sawyer would do the first round of skin-to-skin bonding. Sawyer watched as his husband accepted the scissors from the doctor and cut Darla’s umbilical cord as instructed. The nursing team took Darla from Dr. Yang to clean and assess her, and Royce followed closely on their heels. They didn’t go far, just to the infant warmer at the opposite corner of the room.
Royce looked over his shoulder and called out, “Ten fingers. Ten toes. Enough hair for five baby girls. Evangeline will buy every baby hair accessory under the sun.”
Kelsey giggled, pulling Sawyer’s attention to her. She watched the activity with a look of absolute pride on her face. There were so many things he wanted to say, but nothing came out when he opened his mouth to speak. Sawyer lifted Kelsey’s hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it instead as tears streamed down his face. Joy and gratitude bubbled to the surface like the finest champagne and burst from him in a broken sob. Kelsey turned to look at him, her eyes filling with tears when their gazescollided. “I…” Sawyer shook his head. Christ, he’d considered himself an eloquent person up to that point, but he couldn’t get a single word past the lump of emotions in his throat.
Kelsey freed her other hand from Andrew’s and cupped Sawyer’s face. “I know.”
Royce and the nurses laughed across the room, and Sawyer wondered what adorable moment he’d just missed. But he was torn between his little miracle and the woman who made her existence a reality. Royce looked over his shoulder again, and their eyes connected.
“She just pooped and peed on the nurses,” Royce announced proudly. “Her waste disposal systems are a go.”
Sawyer pulled himself together and looked into Kelsey’s soulful brown eyes again. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’ll never be able to express my thanks enough.”
“A shiny new Range Rover would be a nice token of appreciation,” Andrew teased.
Kelsey dismissed him with a wave. “Don’t listen to him. This experience has meant the world to me, and I’m so grateful I got to be a part of it. I cannot wait to see the remarkable person Darla grows up to be.” More laughter came from Royce and the nurses. “Go meet your little girl. It sounds like she’s already causing a ruckus.”
Sawyer leaned forward once more and kissed her forehead. “I love you so damn much.”
“I love you too. Can I come meet her after I eat and get some rest?”
“Of course. Whenever you’re ready.” But Sawyer was still reluctant to leave Kelsey.
“I’ve got her from here,” Andrew promised him.
Sawyer nodded, released Kelsey’s hand, and stepped away. “Did you decide what you want to eat for breakfast? Pancakes, french toast, or biscuits and gravy.”
“Yes, please,” Kelsey said with a giggle. “Surely, I need to replenish calories after childbirth.”
Sawyer chuckled. “We’ll hook you up. Text us your room number once you get moved.”
“They’ll let me rest and recover here for a bit before moving me over. You can just put my name on the order, and someone from the desk downstairs will call up to labor and delivery. Andrew can go down and get it.”