Chapter Seventeen

Conrad

I waddled into the nursery, my belly heavy and full with our little bundle who was due any day now. I gazed around, making sure everything was in its place. I’d heard of nesting, but it wasn’t something I experienced with Natalie. But with this one, it was game on.

It began a few days earlier, with my need to rewash every single item of baby clothing we had. There was absolutely no need to do so, but even knowing that, I couldn’t stop myself.

From there, I reorganized every single baby item—twice, vacuumed countless times, and made enough freezer meals to fill both our and Rudy’s freezer. It was getting to the point of being ridiculous.

The crib sat against the far wall, the sheets covered in little bears already on the mattress. The midwife had said the baby could come anytime within the next two weeks, and I didn’t want to have to worry about any of these small tasks when they did.

I ran my fingers along the smooth wood, imagining our cub taking his afternoon nap. Above it hung a mobile of fae dancing that Natalie insisted all babies needed.

“I think we’re all set, little cub.” I rubbed my ginormous belly. More than once, I asked the midwife if there were twins hiding in there. Natalie hadn’t been a small baby, by any means, but I’d never gotten close to this big with her. She assured me it was a singleton. “Your dads can’t wait to meet you.”

Suddenly, a tight squeezing sensation wrapped around my middle. I gasped and gripped the edge of the dresser. It wasn’t the first time that day, but I’d been having Braxton Hicks contractions on and off this entire trimester, and I’d been brushing it off as that.

I was starting to suspect it wasn’t Braxton Hicks at all.

“Oh!” I held on harder as the pressure intensified then eased. I breathed out slowly. Could it be?

Another strong contraction seized me and I doubled over. Excitement and nerves swirled inside me.

This was it. It was go time. My midwife had said that shifter labors looked different from human ones. At the time, I thought it was hyperbole, but now that I was experiencing the way the contractions progressed, I saw that it was very much not.

“Bert! Natalie!” I called out. “It’s time! The baby’s coming!”

We’d promised Natalie that she could be there for the birth, after many discussions and teaching her exactly how babies were born.

I heard Bert’s heavy footsteps coming closer. My mate wasn’t walking—he was running. “Are you sure, omega mine? Should I get the midwife?”

I shook my head, breathing through another contraction. “No, not yet. It’s still early. We have time.” I managed what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “Help me to the bedroom?”

Bert’s arm circled my waist, and we walked slowly down the hall.

“Natalie!” he called over his shoulder. “Boil some water and bring clean towels!” It was an ongoing joke between the two of them after seeing not one but three television shows where they boiled water and then forgot about it.

She ran into my room. “The baby’s coming?”

I nodded.

“The baby’s coming!” Her enthusiasm was reassuring.

From day one, she was excited about becoming a big sister, but I’d always had a slight fear that it would fade away as reality set in. I was happy to see that it hadn’t happened.

Bert eased me onto our bed, propping pillows behind my back. He brushed damp hair from my forehead. “What can I do, Conrad? Tell me what you need.”

“Just stay with me.” I squeezed his hand as another wave of pressure built. “Talk to me. Distract me.”

And so began the long hours of labor. Bert never left my side, murmuring encouragement and cracking jokes to make me laugh between contractions. Natalie brought me her favorite stuffed animal to comfort me, and both of them took turns walking around with me for short stints before I climbed back into bed.

The contractions grew stronger, closer together. Low moans escaped my throat as I rocked on hands and knees, seeking relief, no position giving me comfort any more. Bert rubbed my lower back, his bear showing in his eyes, giving me support in the way only his beast could.

“You’re doing so well, omega mine. Breathe, just breathe.” They were the words he was given during our childbirth classes. Still, I appreciated them.

Time lost meaning, some minutes lasting for what felt like forever while others seemed to disappear with a blink. Finally, as evening descended, I turned to Bert with tired eyes.

“I think… I think it’s time to call the midwife now.”

He called her, giving all the details that were needed.

“We’re all set for you, little one,” I whispered. “Come when you’re ready. We’ll be right here waiting.”

The midwife came quickly and, after examining me, told me it was nearly time to push. I gave Natalie an opportunity to change her mind, but she wanted to stay. She had been such an amazing comfort all day. I was really impressed. At her age, there was no way I’d have been as strong.

Bert helped me get undressed and, at the advice of our midwife, I got onto my hands and knees, preparing to push. When the next contraction hit, I pushed and pushed and pushed until the midwife told me relax.

“You’ve got this, Conrad. You’re doing so great.” Bert placed his hand on mine.

The next half hour played out similarly. A contraction would hit, I’d push, the midwife would tell me to stop—repeat. But then the burning sensation began, and I knew it was time. When the next contraction hit, I pushed again. This time, I was rewarded with the beautiful cries of our newborn baby.

“Congratulations. It’s a boy.” The midwife then instructed Bert to assist me onto my back and help clean me up while Natalie helped her clean up the baby.

A few minutes later, our cub was placed on my chest. He instinctively rooted around for his first meal.

“What have you decided to name him?” the midwife asked.

“Rudy Mark.” I looked down at his sweet form. We’d decided to name him after Bert’s brother, who brought us together, and Mark to keep his memory alive. That had been Bert’s idea, and it made me love him even more.

“What a perfect name. I’ll be in the living room in case you need me.” She left the four of us alone.

“Was my head so pointy when I was born?” Natalie wasn’t being mean; she was just curious.

“Yeah, it was.”

“Good. That means his will be better soon.” That wasn’t where I thought she was going with that. It was sweet the way she was already looking after him.

She stayed and asked questions for a few minutes and then announced she was going to bed. Bert offered to come in and read to her, but she told him she was too tired for that and, fair enough, it had been a long day.

“She’s going to be an amazing big sister.” I rested my head on Bert’s shoulder.

“She is.” He kissed the top of my head. “You did so well, Conrad. You’re so strong.”

“I can do anything with you by my side, mate. Anything. I love you.”

“As I love you, omega mine. As I love you.”