Page 121 of Julian

He had no idea what to do, so he just stood there, offering her support with soft words of encouragement.

Finally, she relaxed, the tension going out of her body as she inhaled and then let out a long breath. He waited for her eyes to open, and when they did, she looked right at him.

“I’m fine with you being here,” she said. “I’m just surprised. I didn’t know you were coming home today.”

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to come today or in a couple of days, but then a little bird told us what was going on,” he said. “And I knew I wanted to be here.”

A tired smile crossed Kiara’s face. “A little bird, huh? A Lucy bird?”

“Well, she didn’t tell me,” Julian said. “She told Anthony, and he decided to tell me.”

Her eyes fluttered closed again, but it didn’t seem like another contraction was coming just yet because she didn’t tense up.

“I’m glad you came.”

Julian smiled, then turned as the nurse approached him with a wheeled stool. He settled down on it, Kiara’s hand still in his, prepared to stay right at her side until their son entered the world.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

The contraction eased, and Kiara slumped back against the pillows, her grip on Julian's hand loosening slightly. She kept hold of it though, because she was afraid she was imagining that he was there with her.

Her heart had raced with surprise when she saw him beside her bed. She'd been certain that she would be laboring with Lucy as her support. But now, there he was, sitting beside her bed, his green eyes filled with concern.

"How long have you been in labor?" Julian asked, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.

"Since yesterday afternoon," she said, her voice raspy from exhaustion. "My water broke just after six o'clock yesterday. That's when Lucy brought me in."

Julian frowned. "You've been at this for over eighteen hours?"

"I think I read something about first babies taking their time." She tried to smile, but it felt weak even to her. "Even if he is coming early."

“Have you considered any sort of pain relief?” he asked. “An epidural?”

They had offered it, but she felt like she should try to push through the pain without it. Unfortunately, she was exhausted, which made it harder to deal with the pain. It felt like forever since she’d had any sleep.

“I don’t know.” She shifted on the bed, trying to get comfortable.

“Do you want to get out of bed and walk for a bit?” the nurse asked from where she was checking the monitors. “We can unhook you.”

Kiara knew that walking was a good idea, so she nodded. The nurse removed the monitor belt, then helped her to her feet.

“Dad, if she has a contraction while you’re walking, let her lean on you,” the nurse said. “Follow her lead.”

Kiara glanced at Julian when the nurse called him dad and saw a rather bemused look on his face. When their gazes met, he grinned and then offered her his arm.

She shuffled out the door beside him, grateful that Julian kept his pace slow. They’d only gone a few steps when another contraction started.

When she stopped walking, Julian stepped in front of her. “The nurse said to lean on me.”

Kiara had seen videos of how to do that, but she didn’t know if Julian would understand. But then the pain became too much, and she couldn’t focus.

She reached for his shoulders, then pressed her forehead to his chest. His arms went around her, his hands resting gently on her back.

Without even thinking about it, Kiara swayed back and forth, breathing deeply as the contraction peaked, dragged out, then ebbed. When it finally released its hold on her, Kiara took one more deep breath and then straightened.

“Okay?” Julian asked as he looked down at her, concern in his eyes. He still had his hands resting on her back.

She nodded, then moved to take his arm again so they could continue to walk.