Page 39 of The MC’s Surprise (Bikers and Babies #4)

Sierra

T he nurses must have been used to my reaction because they worked around me and my mom, setting up an IV and getting everything ready. No one made me talk or make any decisions until Nurse Nora came back and asked, “So who is going in with her?”

Lifting my head, I looked at her. Her smile was soft and full of understanding as she pressed. “It’s your choice, hun. You get a support person to be there with you if you want one. Who’ll it be?”

My chest tightened and I turned to look at my mom, then at Justin, who had returned in time to hear the question. He smiled reassuringly.

“Whoever you want, sweetheart. I won’t be hurt if you’d rather go in with your mom.”

A part of me wanted to. My mom had been my support my whole life.

But this was Justin’s baby too. I didn’t want him to miss those first few moments.

And I did trust him. I glanced up at my mom, worried I’d hurt her by choosing someone else.

She smiled like she could read my mind, brushing my hair out of my face.

“I’ll be right here when you’re through. It’s okay.”

Letting out a slow, shaky breath, I nodded, then turned to Nurse Nora. “Justin.”

She patted my foot genially. “Okay. In that case, I’m going to steal him away just for a little bit. He needs to change into some scrubs.”

After they took him away, the doctor came back to explain what was going to happen.

Mom took a few minutes to braid my hair to keep it out of the way, and then they put a cap over it.

When the anesthesiologist came in with his giant needle, I nearly outright refused.

It took coaxing from both Mom and Mel to get me to do it, and I wished I’d asked for Justin to wait so he could hold my hand.

“Now, you’re going to feel my touch. It’s important you don’t move,” the doctor said in a soothing baritone that seemed more appropriate for a phone sex operator than a doctor.

The numbing stuff burned, but once it was in, I didn’t feel anything more than pressure with the bigger needle, which was a relief. And then I couldn’t feel much of anything at all from the waist down.

“Okay, we’re going to do a little test, make sure it worked,” he smiled as he came back to my side. He showed me a small piece of ice before rubbing it on my arm. “Feel that?”

I nodded. “Am I not supposed to?”

“Nope, you’re supposed to feel that one. It was just a test to show you how it’d feel. Now we’ll try here next.” He rubbed it on my leg, and when I didn’t feel anything, he moved to my belly. “How about here?”

“No, nothing.” I sucked in a shuddering breath. “I’m really not going to feel it?”

“You won’t feel any pain,” he corrected. “You might feel some pressure or pulling, but I’ll be there keeping an eye on things. I promise, it won’t hurt.”

That was reassuring, though the pressure/pulling thing was a little daunting. Was I going to feel them moving my organs? The thought made me a little queasy. I wasn’t normally squeamish, but I’d never thought about my own organs before.

Once he was finished, Mel took his place with a bright smile that did a lot to reassure me.

“Time to get this show on the road. We’re going to go for a little ride.

You just relax and enjoy. Mom and Dad, the waiting room is just down the hall on the right.

Nurse Nora will come get you when Sierra is moved to her final room. ”

“We’re not coming back here?” I asked as she set to raising the side rails on the bed.

“Nope. This is just where you give birth. I’ve got something way better for your recovery. All my friends get royal treatment when they let me be a part of their journey.” She winked at me, making me chuckle for the first time since they told me I was going to have to have surgery.

“You’re lying. Even if they didn't want you there, you’d still get them preferential treatment.”

She put a finger to her lips, her eyes twinkling as she shushed me. “Don’t share all my secrets.”

My parents followed us into the hall as Mel and another nurse wheeled me out of the room. We stopped outside the waiting room and I hugged my parents tightly before I had to go.

“I love you,” I whispered, choking back another wave of tears.

“We love you too, peanut,” Dad grumbled.

Mom kissed my temple, leaning into it a little, and when she stood back, her eyes were misty with unshed tears. “If you can leave home and start a new business in California, then this is easy. Be brave, sweetie.”

It took everything I had not to cry as Mel wheeled me away. When I wiped away a few errant tears, she smiled at me from where she pushed the bed next to me. “You’ve got this. I know you can do it.”

“And you’ll be there too, right?” I asked, hating the way my voice cracked.

“Every step of the way,” she promised.

Vegas

It felt weird wearing scrubs, and I had shake my hands out a few times to rid myself of the nerves. I was going to be strong for Sierra. And then once this was all over, I was going to buy her a damn yacht or something. She deserved something awesome for going through all this.

Mel poked her head out of a room with double doors down the hall. “Ready for this?”

I grimaced. “Can you ask an easier question, Little Sister? I’m scared shitless.”

She chuckled, beckoning me with a tip of her head. “Come on. You’ve been waiting for your chance to do your part. This is it. Come hold her hand.”

Taking a deep breath, I followed her into the OR.

Thankfully, they hadn’t started anything yet, so it was just Sierra laying on a table with nurses busy around her setting things up.

There was a stool for me to sit on right by her head, and when I sat and took her hand, she looked relieved. Relieved, and terrified.

“Hey, gorgeous. Funny meeting you here.”

That got me a shaky laugh. “I could say the same for you. I think I prefer you in the leather.”

“What? You’re saying you don’t want me to become a doctor?” I teased.

She pursed her lips, feigning thoughtfulness. “Would you be able to handle the needles?”

I blanched, shaking my head rapidly. “Nope. You got me. I don’t want needles anywhere near me.”

“And that’s why we put this up,” Mel said cheerily as she and another nurse raised a sheet at Sierra’s chest level, blocking us both from seeing what was happening on the other side.

“Thank fuck,” I muttered. “I was a little worried, honestly. Do people actually watch that?”

“Sometimes,” Mel nodded. “But just as often, partners faint during the procedure. So I’m going to give my little spiel and you’re going to pay attention.

Your only job is to pay attention to her.

” She pointed at Sierra. “No peeking over the divider. I know you, Vegas. If you’re bad with needles, I don’t want to test how you’ll do with surgery.

Give Sierra support and love, scratch her nose if she needs it, that kind of thing.

You’re also her voice. If she feels pain or discomfort at all, you need to tell us.

Shouldn’t be a problem, but I have to say it anyway.

” She smiled reassuringly. “Last chance to bet on the gender. We’ll finally have the reveal today. ”

I frowned, thinking about it. “Alright. I’m in for a girl.” When I saw Sierra looked up at me curiously, I shrugged and grinned. “I think a mini you would be cute as hell.”

My heart felt a little lighter when she smiled up at me, the fear banked just for a moment. I leaned in closer, pressing my lips to hers for a soft kiss.

“You’ve got this.”

“That’s what everyone keeps saying. I guess at this point, I have to believe it,” she said with a shaky laugh.

The doctor came in, introducing the woman who would be assisting him. Thank fuck for that because I was worried about shaky hands with a dude that old. Their faces were hidden behind masks, but when he smiled down at Sierra, the wrinkles in his eyes gave him away.

“Ready to have a baby?”

I watched, awed, as Sierra drew in a breath and summoned her courage. When she opened her eyes, she looked determined and she dipped her chin once sharply to acknowledge him. “Ready.”

I didn’t think she could get any more amazing if she’d tried. But watching her face her fears with fierce determination left me stunned.

“Holy shit, I love you.”

Her gaze whipped to mine, and I heard Mel gasp from somewhere nearby, but I only had eyes for Sierra. Her expression crumpled and she started to sob, which scared the shit out of me, worried I made a mistake until she blubbered, “I love you too.”

Dipping my head, I captured her lips. I was suddenly glad Charlotte never gave me the time of day. If she had, I never would have met this beautiful woman who faced down every challenge with a smile. I never would have found my perfect match.