Page 26 of The Only Road Back

I expected nerves when this moment came, but not the kind that turns my hands slick on the wheel. My heart drums against my chest as the city blurs past. Every red light feels like a test I’m failing. Every slow driver is a personal affront.

Beth is next to me, fists clenching the seat, jaw tight.

“Jack, if you don’t get us to the hospital in the next five minutes, I swear to God—” Her voice comes out sharp, clipped by pain.

“I’m going as fast as I can, sweetheart.” My voice is thin, tight. “Unless you want me to break the law and run every light.”

She stares at me between contractions, sweat beading at her hairline. “At this point, I don’t care if you drive through a building. Just get me there.”

I try to laugh, but the sound sticks in my throat. Watching her like this—helpless, hurting, desperate—I’ve never felt so useless.

I fumble for my phone and call my parents. Mom answers instantly.

“Jack? What’s wrong?”

“It’s happening. We’re on the way to the hospital.” I glance at Beth, whose eyes squeeze shut as another contraction rips through her.

“Oh, my God. We’ll meet you there. I’ll let Henry know.”

“Thanks, Ma.” I end the call just as I pull into the hospital lot.

I throw the truck into Park and run to her side. “I’ve got you, sweetheart,” I say, helping her out, steadying her as she doubles over.

“Jack, it hurts,” she whispers, clutching my arm.

I press a quick kiss to her temple. “I know. I’m here.”

A nurse barrels out with a wheelchair. I help Beth sit. The nurse offers a reassuring smile. “We’re ready for you, Mrs. Connor.”

Beth laughs breathlessly, wincing. “Still getting used to that name.”

I clasp her hand. “Better get used to it.”

Inside, everything accelerates. Nurses check her vitals, prep the monitors, usher us into a delivery room. I grip her hand through every contraction, wiping sweat from her brow, whispering encouragement.

“I want an epidural,” Beth manages between ragged breaths.

The nurse glances at a monitor, then at the doctor stepping in. He gives Beth a sympathetic look. “You’re already at nine centimeters, Beth. It’s too late.”

Her eyes fly open, wild. “What?”

“This baby’s not waiting.”

Beth drops her head back, groaning. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I squeeze her hand, feeling bones grind. “You’ve got this, sweetheart.”

She shoots me a glare. “You did this to me, Jack.”

I almost grin. “You didn’t complain at the time.”

Somehow, she laughs—half pain, half fury. “Remind me to kill you later.”

The doctor smiles. “Beth, I need you to push on the next contraction.”

She locks her gaze on mine, then bears down, knuckles white.

She pushes.

Again.

And again.

The world narrows to her, the doctor’s voice, the rhythmic beep of the monitor.

Then—”Jack, are you okay?”

The room tilts. My knees buckle. The last thing I hear is the doctor saying something about the baby’s head.

Everything goes dark.

I wake to crying—a new, thin wail cutting through the haze.

Not Beth’s.

A baby’s.

Our baby.

Head pounding, I push up from the floor. A nurse tries to help me, but my eyes are on Beth.

She’s propped up in bed, hair damp with sweat, face pale but shining. In her arms, a baby. Swaddled in blue. Our baby.

I stagger over, still dizzy. Beth looks up, eyes bright. “You fainted,” she says, gentle and amused.

I let out a shaky breath, embarrassed and awed. “Guess I did.”

“Tough ex-Marine, taken down by childbirth.” She grins, tired but triumphant.

I don’t try to argue. My focus is on the baby—tiny, perfect, impossibly real.

“He’s ours?” My voice cracks.

Beth nods, tears bright in her eyes. “Yeah, Jack. We have a son.”

It hits me all at once—hope, fear, pride, love.

I sit beside her, hands trembling. “Can I hold him?”

She nods and carefully passes him over. The weight in my arms makes my world stop.

He’s so small, with dark hair like mine but Beth’s delicate features.

I brush my thumb over his tiny fist. He grabs hold, strong and determined, and my heart nearly bursts.

“He’s perfect,” I whisper.

Beth wipes at her eyes, smiling. “He really is.”

I look at my son. “Hey, buddy. I’m your dad.” The words taste new and sacred.

The baby sighs, face scrunching before he relaxes again.

Beth laughs. “I think he likes you.”

I can’t stop staring, can’t believe he’s real. “Good. Because I already love him more than I thought possible.”

Beth’s voice is soft. “We need a name.”

I nod. “Maybe…James? After my grandfather.”

She smiles, eyes full. “James Connor. I love it.”

I press my lips to James’ forehead, then meet Beth’s gaze. “You were incredible.”

She slumps back, exhausted but glowing. “I feel like I just ran a marathon.”

I grin. “You brought a whole human into the world. That’s more impressive than anything I’ve ever done.”

She closes her eyes, content. “I love you, Jack.”

I kiss her softly. “I love you, too, Beth. So damn much.”

She smiles, drifting toward sleep. “We’re a family now.”

I cradle James, watching over them both. The world falls away. There is only this room, this love, this life—new and forever.

I whisper, “Yeah. We are.”

I hope you enjoyed The Only Road Back: A Second Chance Romance , and if you didn’t, I apologize for taking your time.