Epilogue

Another Month Later

"She"s definitely popping that kid out in the next twenty-four hours." Grady rubs his back, grimacing.

"I heard that," Annika snaps.

"Sorry, baby." Grady shuffles over to her. She"s got her arm linked with Ward's as they shuffle around the house. "It"s still true. Are you sure you don"t want to head to the hospital?"

"Once they get regular, I will. For now, we suffer together at home because I"m more comfy here." She releases Ward to wrap her arms around Grady"s lower back as she wiggles her hips from side to side. "I'm okay. Giving birth is natural. Please don"t stress."

Grady gives a clipped nod, moving to rub her lower back instead. It"s strange to pick up his emotions in the bond. Mostly because I"ve never picked up this particular feeling coming from him.

My head tilts as I try to analyze exactly what emotion that is.

It could be the throbbing pain of Annika"s contraction ripping through the bond that has me taking a step back.

Or it could be Grady's fear.

I honestly thought he was incapable of feeling it, but there it is, pulsing in the bond. His wide eyes meet mine as the contraction starts to lessen.

"They"re coming every four to six minutes. It might be time to consider packing up the SUV," Cas says, staring at his watch.

"The paper says they need to be at even intervals." Annika groans, burying her face deeper into Grady"s shirt.

"Then, we lie," Grady says as I plant my hands next to his on Annika"s lower back. "I"d like to see the doctor say something. I"ll slit his throat."

"Hey, I like Dr. Garza," Annika says, referencing Cooper Garza's older brother. He and his partner, Dr. Sanderson, have seen Anni throughout her entire pregnancy.

"Didn"t you have fantasies about delivering the baby yourself?" Ward chuckles.

"Yeah, but she"s in a shitload of pain. I didn"t realize how intense it would be." Grady sighs as his hands brush mine.

I give him a quick pat. "We"ve got this. Ward and Cas, you grab the hospital bags. Grady and I will help our omega to the bathroom for one last visit."

"Thanks. Yeah, I feel like I need to pee again already." She sighs.

Grady grabs my arm, his blue eyes staring into mine. He mouths thank you, and I give him a nod.

He was the only thing keeping me sane when we were trapped together in Ranger"s basement. I can hold him together now. Plus, I really fucking get it. I"m terrified, too, but Annika needs us to keep our shit together, so I do.

Annika immediately opts for the epidural. I mean, as soon as they determine it"s active labor, she"s asking for it. She's also four centimeters dilated, so they hook her up.

Ward sticks close to Annika"s side in the hospital bed while Grady paces the floor bare. The hours pass extremely slowly as we wait for her to progress to fully effaced and dilated.

"Shouldn"t the doctor be in here by now?" Grady asks, slamming his shoulder into mine on the way by.

I grab a fistful of the back of his shirt. "You might get your wish to deliver the baby yet."

"Not funny," he growls, spinning to face me as he slaps away my arm.

"She"s progressing well." I nod to the monitor. "His heartbeat is perfect. You need to chill."

He sighs, swiping a hand over his face. "I"m trying."

"Do we need to step outside so you can punch me?" I ask. He"s even making me antsy.

His head tilts. "You"d let me beat the hell out of you?"

I scoff. "Not without punching back, but if you"re that riled up, then, yeah."

Grady laughs, giving me a bear hug. "Thanks, man."

"I still can"t believe the two of you beat the hell out of each other in the parking lot." Annika snorts, wiggling in the hospital bed as she tries to sit up. "Here, take him."

Cas scoops the baby out of her arms, and Annika smiles as she gets situated. "Have we got any ideas on what we"re naming him?"

Annika laughs, running her hand over his tiny blue baby cap. "There"s a C tradition in your family. I"m open to that."

"Callum is a good name," Ward offers, leaning over the railing to study the baby.

"I like Corbin or Carver." Grady leans over the other railing, giving our omega a tender kiss.

"I like Camden," I admit, scratching my beard.

Annika gasps, pulling back from the kiss with Grady. "I actually love that."

"Really?" I ask, tilting my head.

"Me too," Cas agrees.

"It"s a solid name," Ward says, grinning down at the baby.

"Are you good with that?" Annika asks Grady.

He smirks. "Camden Forbes, it is."