Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

Viktor

M y emails cannot hold my attention. I'm sitting at my desk at Manarch Industries trying to get work done. But I can't. Between clan business, Manarch Industries and Aisling, I'm spread thin. This thing with the Irish and my father is shedding more blood than anticipated. Fights between the Irish and the clan are getting out of control. Then there's the tension within the clan. I told my father getting in bed with the Irish was a disaster waiting to happen. But he just doesn't give a fuck. My cell rings, and the screen reads Oliver. I'm dreading the call. Every time he calls, it is to give me bad news, and I'm still avoiding him. His refusal to tell me where Ava is continues to piss me off.

"What do you want?"

"Where are you?" he asks, sounding out of breath.

"Manarch Industries. Why are you out of breath? What's wrong?" I ask, already standing from my desk. He's in trouble. I'm pissed at him, but he's still my brother and I'll stand by him.

"Ava is in labor. She's at her apartment. She called because that punk Max is with her, and she needs her family. I'm on my way, but you should be there."

"Thank you. I know things between us haven't been the greatest when it comes to Ava."

"Water under the bridge. Her contractions are twelve to fifteen minutes apart, according to her. You're closer than me." I'm out the building hailing a cab. No time to wait for my SUV.

"I'm getting in a cab. We need at least four men."

"I'll make the calls."

"I want Angus, Marco, Ray, and Beiste. I don't want to take any chances."

"Done. Don't forget to stay calm. She sounded scared under her cool tone."

"See you there." I end the call.

I give the cab her address. I'm a ball of nerves, but I'm happy I get the chance to see my son be born. Even though I hate that she called Oliver and not me, I'm grateful she did. She needs her family by her side. She needs me.

I hand the driver cash as I get out of the car, which has barely stopped. This is the moment I've dreamt of. I don't bother knocking on the door. I turn the knob, and to my surprise, it's open. Max is sitting on the couch as I hear Ava's cry of pain. I follow her voice. She's in the bathtub, gripping the sides, eyes closed, trying to breathe through a contraction.

"I'm here," I tell her.

Her eyes snap open.

"You shouldn't be," she tells me, but I can see relief at seeing me. I get on my knees and comb loose strands of hair off her face.

"I'm exactly where I need to be."

"Where is Oliver? He's such a traitor." She lets out a breath. It makes me chuckle.

"He wouldn't like it if he heard you."

"Right now, I don't care," she mutters.

"What do you need?" I caress her face.

"We still have time. I've been trying to time the contractions, but it isn't easy." I take my cell out. For the last two weeks, I've been reading in preparation for this moment and hoping she would let me be here.

"I got it covered. Is your hospital bag ready?" She eyes me, confused. "I've been doing some reading." She smiles.

"In my bedroom by the door."

"Ava, how can I help?" Max asks from the bathroom door.

"You can leave," I bark.

"I deserve to be here just as much as you, if not more. I've been here for her." I am about to stand when she grabs my arm.

"Viktor, another one." I start the clock.

"Breathe." I walk her through the breathing exercises. I hate seeing her in pain.

"I'm here," I hear Oliver yell from the front of the apartment.

"Bathroom." Before I know it, he's standing by the bathroom door, ready for orders. I point toward Max. "I want him gone."

"You don't get to make that call," Max says.

"Fuck, it hurts," Ava cries out, her nails digging into my arm.

"Breathe, baby girl." Her nails continue to dig into my skin until her contraction stops. "You're ten minutes apart. We need to go."

"There's a delivery gown on the bed. Help me get dressed, please."

"Oliver, clear a path," I order.

"Let's go," he barks at Max.

"Can you walk?" I ask Ava.

"I think so."

I grab the towel and help her out of the bathtub. As she stands, I see how beautiful she is. She's glowing. Then her water breaks. "I believe it's time to go." I pull her into my arms.

"I think you might be right." She gives me a small smile.

Five minutes later, we're in the car in the middle of a contraction. Oliver is driving as fast as he can. Ava squeezes my hand so hard that my knuckles crack, but I don't mind. I'm loving every second spent supporting her. The excitement swells inside of me. My son will be here soon.

"Viktor," she wails.

"We're almost there. Breathe."

"I want this baby out of me," she cries in pain.

"Almost there," I soothe.

It doesn't take long to rea h the hospital. Ava looks out the window when Oliver stops in front of the Emergency Room entrance.

"Where are we?"

"St. Mary's Hospital."

"This isn't where my doctor is." There's a slight panic in her voice.

"She'll be here. Oliver called her. This hospital has the best maternity unit in the state."

"You didn't have to arrange this," she says as she looks at me.

"I want nothing but the best for you and my son."

"How?"

"I planned it weeks ago, hoping you would come home and let me be with you when the time came."

"Thank you." She lays on the bed. "I'm happy you're here. I can't imagine going through this without you."

"So am I." I comb a few strands of hair from her face. "I love you, baby girl." I softly kiss her lips.

Thirteen hours later…

Ava is in the middle of another contraction. She's bent over the bed as I massage her back, trying to help her through. She has screamed at every nurse who has entered the room in the last few hours, demanding to be left alone. Finally, the contraction has passed, and she turns to sit on the bed.

"They're getting stronger." She leans her head on my chest.

"Pretty soon, you'll be holding our little man." I kiss the top of her head.

An hour later…

Even though we have been here for hours, it feels like time has passed quickly. Ava has been so strong. I feel useless since she's doing all the work. All I have done is hold her hand, say comforting words and do the breathing exercises with her.

"Push, you're almost there. The head is crowning," her doctor orders. "You're doing great." She adds.

Ava collects herself and then pushes a number of times more and then I see the most beautiful sight known to man.

"Would you like to cut the cord, Dad?" the doctor asks. I look at Ava, all smiles and tears.

"Yes." I step to the end of the bed and cut the cord. My son is perfect.

After I cut the cord they hand me my son and I walk over to Ava. She is waiting impatiently.

"Ready to meet your son, Mommy?" I ask placing our son on her chest for skin-to-skin contact.

"He's perfect, Viktor," Ava says as she holds our son.

"Yes, he is," I tell her.

I stand next to her watching them bond. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. The woman I love holding our precious son.