Page 26 of Unbar the Barred

“Fuck off,” he ground out on the next wave of pain. “You’re right… this… is all… yourrrrr fault,” he growled breathlessly, his body shuddering violently at the next wave of belly clenching pain.

Unsure how long it was before the pain relinquished its hold on him, Cassidy found himself lifted away from the mess andTrey positioned him to rest, his sweaty back against Trey’s damp body, their skin sticking together. He panted and sank into the comforting feel of Trey’s arms wrapping around him after he tugged up a sheet. Drifting on the exhaustion, his eyes slitted open at the sounds in the room. He could see a huddle of men peeking through the bedroom door. He would let the mortification at being seen like this bother him later, when he got his strength back.

“Have a sip of water for me, my love.” A glass touched his lips, and the iciness got him parting them gratefully. He drank deep when the thirst made its presence known.

When the glass moved away, he searched the room, his pulse fluttering madly. “My babies? Where are they?”

Trey kissed the side of his sweaty brow. “The doc is just checking our girls out to make sure they’re okay.”

“Girls?” he whispered, feeling his world expand with the reality he had daughters.

“Two beautiful baby girls,” Trey murmured softly against his skin, a catch in his voice. “They look just like you, Cass.”

The doctor walked past the ranch hands, cradling the swaddled girls in the crooks of his arms. Trey was wrong, their beautiful burnt sienna skin was just like their daddies.

“No, they look like us.” He held out his arms despite the weakness in them. He didn’t worry because Cassidy knew with every fiber in his being that Trey would be there for him, for their girls.

When the doctor carefully placed one girl in each arm, smiling at them, Trey’s arms cradled Cassidy and held them all. “I love you.”

Cassidy heard chuckles from outside the doorway and ignored them, because hearing his mate say aloud how much he loved him made everything right in Cassidy’s world.

“So, what names did you choose for your girls?” This came from the doctor.

Trey’s body shook with laughter. “Cass, let his chicks choose.”

“Say what?” Ethan muttered as he strode in. “Please tell me you’re jokin’?” His face paled as he got a good look at the bed Cassidy remained on.

Cassidy grinned at the room. “I can’t, they’re my family. They like the letter Z.”

There was more laughter. “So, what did they pick?” Ethan asked, sounding resigned and amused at the same time.

Cassidy looked over his shoulder at Trey’s amused expression, then down at their daughters. “Say hello to Zuri and Zinnia. The newest members of Darling Ranch.”