17. Rebecca

17

Rebecca

River Channing was pressing gently on my stomach, checking for the baby's position, when another wave of pain hit. I tried to hide it, but it was too intense, and I cried out.

River rubbed my shoulders. "Does that help?" His hands were firm but soothing, and to my surprise, it did help. I nodded, letting him continue massaging my back.

"We're going to need to put her in the truck and drive to the hospital," River said. "The ambulances are tied up with a twenty-car pile-up on the freeway." He looked at me. "How do you feel, sweetheart?"

"I don't think we have time to get to the hospital," I said, embarrassed. "The baby won't wait another ten minutes. She's ready to be born right now." I hesitated. "I do know a little about birthing. I was there when my youngest brother was born, and I read all the books you bought me."

"I read them, too," Maverick said, looking at River. "Rebecca needs you to stand over there. I'll deliver the baby, and you can guide me from there."

He turned back to me. "Okay, sweetheart, we've got this. I don't want you to worry. Just focus on your breathing like I taught you."

"I'm not worried. I know you'll keep our baby safe."

"I'll keep both of you safe," he promised. "Let's get you ready. Off with this dress. I'll put one of my T-shirts on you."

"I have a birthing gown," I said, glancing at River. "Can you grab it? It's on top of my dresser, last room upstairs on the right."

River nodded and ran upstairs.

"I need to wash my hands, sweetheart," Maverick said, kissing my forehead.

"Hurry back before River gets here," I whispered. "I don't want him to help me…" I couldn't finish the sentence as another pain ripped through me. It was so intense, I was sure the baby was about to come.

Maverick rushed back. "We don't have time for a gown. Let's just get this off of you." He quickly helped me out of my dress. "I'll wash my hands if I have time. What would you have done if I hadn't found River to get me home?"

"But you did make it home, so everything's alright," I said weakly.

He smiled as he gently lowered me to the end of the bed. "I'm going to cover you up and prop some pillows behind you. I know it's uncomfortable, but if it helps, close your eyes and focus on your breathing."

"I'm okay," I whispered, watching Maverick bend down in front of me. It was embarrassing, even though he had seen me in every way before. Another pain hit, and it felt like my stomach was tearing apart.

River returned with towels. "I'm going to help Rebecca up here. Maverick, can you see the baby's head?"

"Yes," Maverick said.

"Alright, that's good. Rebecca, I need you to push when the next contraction comes."

I cried out and pushed with all my strength. After another ten long minutes, our baby boy was born.

He was beautiful and perfect. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at our son, and when I glanced at Maverick, he had tears in his eyes too.

"We won't be able to call him Ella," Maverick said, wiping his eyes, and we both laughed.

"Mom and Dad, we're not done yet," River reminded us. "We still need to cut the cord."

Maverick cut the cord, and River cleaned up the baby while Maverick finished taking care of me. He changed the sheets and gently laid me back in bed.

Maverick kissed me. "I'll never let you go through that alone again. I'm so sorry you were in so much pain."

"I'm so happy, I barely remember the pain now. I want five more children," I teased. "What should we name our son?"

Maverick laughed just as River brought our screaming baby over. "He's hungry, and he's got a set of lungs on him."

"I know how to feed him," I said, reaching for our son. I looked up at River. "Thank you for everything, River. We're naming him Matthew Channing."

River smiled, clearly touched. "I'd be honored to share my name with this little guy. But now, I need some sleep—it's been days."

"I'll show you a room," Maverick said, leaving with River.

I looked down at Matthew and chuckled. There was no mistaking he was all boy, just like his father.