Page 122 of Julian

“How was your flight?” she asked as they walked, eager for a bit of distraction.

“It was fine,” he said. “It was nice not to have to travel commercially in either direction, which I usually do when flying to Singapore.”

“Why didn’t you this time?”

“With so many of us in the travel party, it was easier to take a private jet. Plus, we were going on such short notice that we needed to have some time to review what was happening and come up with a game plan. That would have been impossible to do on a commercial flight.”

Another contraction started, so they stopped again, and this time, once they were in position again, Julian rested his cheek against the top of her head and swayed with her.

Though she’d been prepared to go through the labor with Lucy, Kiara was so grateful that Julian had decided to come to the hospital when he’d heard that she was in labor. As the pain subsided, it occurred to her that perhaps he hadn’t intended to stay at the hospital.

“I didn’t mean for you to get roped into labor support,” Kiara said as they turned the corner to another hallway.

“You didn’t rope me into anything,” Julian replied. “I’m here because I want to be.”

“Well, you can leave at any time,” Kiara told him. “I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

Julian stopped walking and stepped in front of her so they were facing each other. He reached out and took her hands.

“You are also exhausted, so there’s no reason I should get to rest when you can’t. I’m here for the long haul. Right to the end.”

Kiara clung to his hands, unfathomably grateful that he was there supporting her. “Why did you change your mind about being here?”

“I was already reconsidering my decision to not be in the delivery room before I heard you were in labor,” he said. “So when Anthony told me, I knew I wanted to be here with you.”

She looked away from him, her gaze going down the hallway. “I’m glad you’re here. It makes it feel a little… easier.”

Julian let go of her hand and touched her cheek. She couldn’t keep from looking back at him. “We’re in this together, and I’m glad I can be here to help you however you need.”

Before she could respond, pain gripped her belly. Working together, they got into position again.

Though Kiara wanted to parse through all the emotions that Julian’s words brought up in her heart, she couldn’t. Her focus needed to be on bringing their son into the world.

Julian was by her side, and would be until the birth, and that was all that mattered right then.

They walked for awhile, pausing for each contraction, but then Kiara was just too tired to keep going, so they returned to the room. Once she was back in bed, Kiara just wanted to sleep, but almost immediately, she had another contraction to deal with.

Weariness had lowered her emotional defenses, and before she could stop them, tears began to fall. It felt like too much, and she just couldn’t keep dealing with the painful contractions.

“Why don’t you get the epidural, sweetheart?” Julian spoke softly as he bent close to her after the contraction ended. “Maybe then you can get some rest.”

Trying to wipe the tears from her cheeks, Kiara nodded. “I am so tired.”

Julian smoothed a hand over her hair, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll let them know.”

It all moved quickly after that, and soon, Kiara was able to fully relax, knowing that she didn’t have to breathe through or endure any more painful contractions.

“Try to sleep,” Julian said. “I’m going to talk to Anthony and then I’ll be back.”

Kiara nodded, sleep already pulling at her. She didn’t know how long she’d be able to nap, but she wanted to rest up enough to have the energy needed for the final push.

When she opened her eyes next, Julian was sitting beside the bed in a chair that reclined. His head was turned toward her, but he was sound asleep. Kiara took the opportunity to study him.

She still couldn’t believe that he was there, and not because he’d felt obliged but because hewantedto be there. It gave her hope that he would want to be an active parent in their child’s life.

Julian’s hair was mussed, like he'd been running his fingers through it, and his clothes were wrinkled from travel. There were dark circles under his eyes that spoke of the strain of the past couple of weeks and his exhaustion. Yet he'd chosen to stay with her, to be part of this experience despite his initial reluctance.

A nurse came in quietly to check the monitors.