Page 92 of Omega's Faith

"It's a boy," Dr. Morrison announces unnecessarily, placing the squirming, screaming bundle on Jonah's chest.

I can't breathe. Can't think. I can't do anything but stare at this tiny person we made. He's red and wrinkled and covered in weird fluids and he's absolutely perfect.

"Samuel," Jonah whispers, tears streaming down his face. "Hi, baby. We've been waiting for you."

Samuel stops crying, turning toward Jonah's voice. His eyes are still closed, but he knows his omega dad. Of course he does.He's been listening to Jonah talk and sing for months.

"Do you want to cut the cord?" Dr. Morrison asks me.

My hands shake as I take the scissors. This is it. The moment he becomes separate from Jonah, his own person in the world. I make the cut, and just like that, Samuel Robert Colborne is officially here.

They take him to clean him up and do their tests. I stay with Jonah, holding him while he delivers the afterbirth and Dr. Morrison does whatever mysterious medical things need doing.

"You did it," I tell him. "You're amazing."

"Yes, I am," he confirms. "Even if I did threaten to kill you. Several times."

"I probably deserved it."

"You definitely deserved it."

They bring our beautiful Samuel back, wrapped in a soft blue blanket, and place him in Jonah's arms. He's calmed down now, making little snuffling noises.

"He's so small," I marvel.

"Eight pounds, two ounces," the nurse informs us. "Not that small."

"No wonder he felt like a watermelon," Jonah mutters.

I laugh, then stop abruptly as Samuel's eyes open. They're dark, unfocused, but definitely open. Looking right at me.

"Hi," I say stupidly. "I'm your dad. The disaster one. Your other dad is the smart one."

"Alex," Jonah chides softly.

"It's true. But I promise I'm going to try so hard to be good enough for you. Both of you."

"You already are," Jonah says. "You have been for months."

The door opens, and our families start filtering in. We agreed to have them here, waiting, bridging our two worlds from the very beginning of Samuel's life.

Jonah's Mom enters first is already crying before she evensees the baby. His Dad and brother Robert are close behind.

"Oh, sweetheart," she breathes, carefully touching Samuel's tiny hand. "He's perfect."

"He looks like Alex," Robert observes. "Poor kid."

"He has Jonah's nose," I counter. "And hopefully his temperament."

Diana arrives next, and for the first time in all the years I've known her, she looks completely undone. Her perfect composure cracks as she looks at Samuel.

"He's beautiful," she says softly. "Your mother would have been so proud, Alexander."

"You think?"

"I know." She touches my shoulder, a rare gesture of affection.

Even Pastor David seems moved when he arrives, though he immediately starts talking about baptism schedules.