Page 53 of My Three Hometown Firefighters (Aspen Springs #2)
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Sienna
“You’re ready, mama,” the nurse says. “Your doctor should be here soon, then we’ll start pushing.”
“Really?” I ask. My voice is raspy with disbelief. It seems like I’ve been doing this forever, but I know it’s only been about twelve hours.
The nurse tosses her gloves in the trash, getting some hand sanitizer from the dispenser near the door. “It’s time,” she says, smiling. “July eighth seems like a perfect birthday to me.”
With that, she walks back out into the hallway.
A strong hand squeezes mine. Grayson. I forgot he was standing next to me, holding my hand.
“It’s okay. You’re almost done,” he says soothingly.
I swallow thickly as Tucker and Warren step up on the other side of the bed.
“We’re about to meet her,” I get out through the lump in my throat.
“Yeah, we are,” Warren says, emotion weighing heavy on each word.
I take a second to absorb this moment. I look at each of my guys. “I love all of you,” I say.
They echo the sentiment, taking turns to lean down and kiss me.
The next few minutes are a blur as a line of doctors and nurses file into the room. The guys are moved around so everyone can do what they need to.
Before I know what’s happening, I’m pushing. Grayson and Tucker are on either side of me, supporting my legs as I crunch forward.
Fuck. This is hard. I mean, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but damn.
The guys take turns because there’s only room for two of them at my sides. They are there every step of the way, my anchors when I need them most.
After pushing for what feels like the millionth time, I flop back against the bed. My hair is a sweaty mess with more hair out of the tie than in it. I furiously swipe at it, trying to get it out of my face.
“I got it, sweetheart,” Warren says.
I let my hands fall to the mattress.
He gently removes the hair tie. With surprising ease, he arranges my hair into a messy bun. With my hair out of my face, I feel like I can breathe again.
“Thank you,” I breathe out. “When did you learn how to do that?”
He shrugs. “When we learned we were having a little girl, I started watching videos on how to do longer hair.”
He says it so casually, like it isn’t a big deal at all, but it really is. My heart melts on the spot.
“You picked a good one there,” my doctor says, giving me a wink.
“I did,” I say, smiling up at Warren.
“Trying to show us up here,” Tucker jokes from my other side.
“You know I love you too,” I say, rolling my eyes at him.
“You’ll just have to make it up to me some other time,” he says, laying the dramatics on thick.
My doctor laughs from her place at the end of the bed. “And with that, it’s time for another contraction. Let’s go, girl.”
Tucker is all business, helping me lean forward. “You got this, Sunshine.”
I really think I might die. How do women do this all the time? How do they do this more than once? I’m pretty sure this is going to be enough for me.
Maybe I shouldn’t make the decision while I’m in the middle of pushing out a baby, but oh well.
“Let’s just get this kiddo out, then we can worry about more later,” Grayson says.
I guess all of that wasn’t just in my head. After two hours of pushing, my filter has left the building.
“Give me one more big push and you get to meet your little girl,” my doctor says.
“I can’t,” I cry out, leaning against Warren’s arm.
Grayson’s fingers tilt my chin, so I’m looking over at him. “You can do this, love. You are the strongest person I know. You’ve been a total badass for the last nine months. Right now isn’t any different.”
Tucker reaches around Grayson. His hand rests on my shoulder. With all of them right here with me, I take a deep breath.
When the doctor tells me to give her the biggest push I have all night, I do. And then she’s here.
A few seconds pass where I refuse to take my next breath until her cries ring out around the room. My jagged intake of air is echoed by all three of my men surrounding me.
“Who’s going to cut the cord?” one of the nurses asks.
My hands have a death grip on Warren and Grayson.
“Go for it, Tuck.” Grayson laughs. “I don’t think our girl’s letting either of us go right now.”
Tucker’s eyes bounce between Warren and Grayson and then down to me. “Are you sure?”
We all nod.
Tears well in his eyes as he backtracks to the end of the bed, where the doctor is wiping down our daughter as she continues to cry.
“Let's get you ready,” one of the nurses says, leaning over to unbutton my gown.
When Tucker is done, my little girl is placed on my chest. My arms cradle her against me, and my whole world shifts.
Things that once seemed life-altering now pale in comparison to this moment. Nothing in my life will ever be the same because of her.
“Hi, baby girl,” I whisper. Her forehead scrunches as she takes a deep breath. Her cries start to quiet as she calms down. “Welcome to the world,” I tell her as the first tear falls down my face.
I look up to see tears in all the guys’ eyes. “She’s here,” I whisper because it’s just for them and not anyone else in the room.
“She’s perfect,” Warren says, and I couldn’t agree more.