Page 108 of Christmas with Brother's Best Friends

I focus back on the road and manage to get us parked in the hospital’s parking garage without killing us. The three of us rush inside and get directed to labor and delivery.

“What if we’re too late?” I say over my shoulder as Ethan and Andrew closely trail me.

“There’s Mom and Dad!” Ethan tells me as we approach the waiting area.

I slow down, seeing Emma’s parents and Max’s parents seated next to each other. “Is she close?”

They all nod quickly. Emma’s mom points down the hallway. “Room 405! They made us leave five minutes ago to prepare her for delivery!”

Emma made sure that Ryan, Max, and me would be able to be with her for the birth. I refuse to miss it.

Andrew and Ethan give me a push in that direction. “Go!”

I nod and hurry down the hallway, my heart racing wildly. I find the room and rush inside to see the doctor already sitting between Emma’s legs as she prepares to push.

Relief washes over her face as she holds Max’s and Ryan’s hands as they stand on either side of her. “You made it!”

“Traffic,” I say as I move to her left side next to Max. I lean down and kiss her forehead, my adrenaline still remaining high.

We’re about to meet our baby! True to her adventurous spirit, Emma decided to not find out the baby’s sex until birth. That didn’t stop us from buying a bunch of baby items that were suitable for either one. We don’t care if the baby is a boy or a girl.

We just want them to be healthy.

“Okay, ready, Emma? The baby is crowning. They’re ready to come out,” Dr. Bradford says.

“Ready,” Emma says.

Max guides Emma’s hand to mine as he gives me a small smile. “Glad you made it, man. Ryan was ready to kill you.”

I look over at Ryan, who has a slight smirk on his face. He then quickly focuses back on Emma. “I would’ve let him if I missed this.”

Emma squeezes both of our hands as she pushes, her face reddening from the exertion.

“Good!” Dr. Bradford says. “Again!”

I lose count of the number of pushes, but when the sound of a baby wailing fills the room, I lose my breath. My eyes immediately start burning as I watch the doctor and nurses clean up and check on our baby.

“You did amazing,” Ryan tells Emma as Max brushes her damp hair away from her shining face.

I kiss the top of her hand, managing to remember how to breathe again. “You were perfect.”

Emma’s eyes glisten. “Is the baby okay?”

“Is everything okay?” Max asks the doctor.

Dr. Bradford turns around with our swaddled baby in her arms. She smiles and gently places our child on Emma’s chest. “Congratulations. You have a healthy baby girl.”

Emma lets out a joyful sob as she cradles our child close. “Hi, baby girl.”

I swallow hard as a lump forms in my throat. I gaze down at our daughter, my hand gently resting over Emma’s. “She looks so beautiful. Just like her mom.”

“Wow,” Max breathes out as he brushes his forefinger along our baby’s soft, flushed cheek. “She’s so small. I… I can’t believe this.”

Ryan breathes in shakily as he leans his head against the top of Emma’s. “This was all you, baby. Look at the angel that you brought into the world.”

Happy tears tumble down Emma’s cheeks as she smiles at all of us. “She’s finally here. Baby Nessa is here.”

We went back and forth for months, but we agreed on Nessa for a girl and Kaden for a boy in the end. I just can’t believe she’s finally here in front of us.