Page 128 of Twisted Truths

“I’m here, little possum,” I say, dashing to her side and brushing her sweaty hair away from her face to press my lips to her temple. “You’re doing so good, baby. So good.”

“Nash,” she gasps out, squeezing my hand so hard I grimace.

“I’ve got you,” I assure her, rubbing her back.

The next fourteen and a half hours are a blur of doctors and nurses, and my heart (and hand) aching every time Hadley has a contraction. Through it all, my wife is an absolute gladiator. I’ve never seen her look so beautiful.

After forty-five minutes of pushing, the sound of our baby’s cries replace Hadley’s pained groans, and the room appears to be bathed in technicolour as the midwife places our child on Hadley’s chest.

“Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Stone. You have a healthy baby girl.”

Drawing in a deep breath, I lean down to kiss my wife. “Well done, baby. You did so good.”

Hadley looks up at me, tears shining in her eyes. “It’s a girl.”

“It’s a girl,” I confirm, unable to wipe the smile off my face.

We both stare in awe at the tiny bundle wrapped in her mother’s arms.

A little girl.

Hadley presses her lips to our daughter’s head.

“Welcome to the world, Ziggy Madeline Stone.”