by V. A. Dold
Carefully, Anna hid her smile. She could feel Cade’s emotions, and he was teetering back and forth between excitement and terror. She should be more worried than she was. But even stranded on an island, in labor, couldn’t frighten her when she had Cade by her side. Together they could do anything. She knew they would be fine.
Silently, he gave himself a pep talk. You can do this. Your mate is counting on you. You need to be strong for her.
He needed to stay focused and follow the tips and instructions he’d learned. Logically, he knew, barring a breech baby, they would be fine. He just needed his shaking knees to understand that.
The past six hours had been the longest, most painful of his life.
Closing her eyes, another wave rolled over her abdomen, tightening and pressing hard. She took the long, slow breaths, she learned in class, trying to stay on top of the contraction.
Cade was struggling to keep a cool head. How was he going to deliver his baby if the pain debilitated him? Once again, he pushed down his concerns. They didn’t have a Dr. Marjorie here, and there was no way for help to get to them. At least not yet. He was all she had, and he’d be damned if he would let her down.
He gave them both a minute to rest before he stood to help her to her feet. “Come on, let’s get you settled in the bed.”
“Would you get me a glass full of crushed ice?”
“Sure, babe, once you’re comfortable.” He crushed a bunch of ice cubes, then paused. Head down, breathing deeply, he steeled himself for the possibility of delivering their baby. He refused to give in to fear and panic. His girls needed him to be strong, and he would die before letting them down.
Thankfully, he made it to the bedroom and onto the bed before another contraction hit. He didn’t have time to crush more ice if he spilled the cup.
He felt the telltale tightening that preceded the pain. Gripping the sheet, he tried to breathe through it like Anna did. When it ended, they both moaned, lying like limp noodles on the bed. Beads of sweat seeped into her eyes, and her hair looked like she’d just walked from the shower. She had never been more beautiful.
He wrapped a hand around her arm and slid lower until he could entwine their fingers. He rubbed gentle circles on her inner wrist, calming and soothing her.
The next pain behaved differently, it swelled and then swept from front to back, growing in strength and length. Throughout it all he continued his slow massage on her inner wrist, lending her what little comfort he could.
If he weren’t already wrapped around her little finger, he certainly would be now. “I’ll be back in a minute, cher. I need to get the birthing supplies and set it up in here.”
He had already lined the mattress with plastic and put fresh sheets over that, but he needed the other things he had gathered.
Suddenly, he remembered something the book said. Based on the change in contractions, she was in transition. It was the most difficult phase but thankfully didn’t last long. The book mentioned this was when women generally wanted to do bodily harm to their husbands. Maybe he should search the area around the bed for weapons.
A couple of hours ago, they had started closing their eyes and trying to catch a minute or two of sleep between pains. When he came back into the room dawn was breaking outside their window, and a faint light illuminated the room. Now if the storm would break, he would be a happy man.
Just as he lowered himself next to her, she had another contraction. After it passed, Anna took a cleansing breath and tried to scoot to the edge of the bed.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I need to pee.” Her bladder was screaming for relief or at least that's what it felt like. Cade helped her to her feet and instantly a rush of warm wetness ran down her legs and pooled around their feet. They both froze, staring at the puddle as time stood still.
“Now you can begin to worry,” Anna said with a shaky voice.
“Is that what I think it is? Tell me you waited too long to go to the bathroom,” he pleaded.
She swatted him hard and scowled. “I would never pee on the floor! My water just broke.”
“I read about that,” Cade mumbled as he began to pace.
“Okay, as soon as the storm clears, I'll hustle you to the hospital.”
“That would be nice, but unless this storm lets up really soon, we're screwed. I know from experience, once my water breaks, there's no going back and we don’t have a lot of time.”
Cade needed to see if his mother was close to getting home and out to the island.
Dad?
I’m here Cade, how’s Anna?
We’re in real trouble, tell me you and Mom will be here soon.
We are still a good hour away and then need to get to the island.
I don’t know if she can hold out that long. Her water just broke.
Shit!
Cade was stunned speechless by his father’s use of foul language.
Hang on, son. I’m putting the pedal to the metal. Your mother is calling Debbie again to see if she can get to you.
Thanks, Dad. We will see you soon.
The contractions were five minutes apart. Cade was hanging in there, but barely. The pain had gotten fierce, but blessedly it ended quickly. Even though he was suffering more than he had ever imagined, he still held her through each pain, trying his hardest to help her relax and offer what comfort he could.
He groaned as they breathed through yet another pain, counting out loud.
One-one thousand…
Two-one thousand…
Three-one thousand…and on…until it passed.
Sucking in a shaky breath, he slumped wearily. Then he pulled himself together and wrung out the cloth he kept in a bucket of water next to the bed. Gently, he wiped sweat from Anna’s brow first and then his own.
Thirty minutes later, Anna whispered as calmly as possible. “I think it's time. I'm feeling the need to push.”
Cade stared at her terrified, unable to move or speak. A knock at the door brought him back to his senses. THANK GODDESS! Help had arrived and just in the nick of time. Cade leapt from the bed and ran for the door.
Just as he reached the threshold of the bedroom, Anna’s lovely face twisted in agony. Sucking in what little breath he could, he forced his legs to move forward. As he jerked open the door, he came face to face with a middle-aged woman holding an old-fashioned doctor’s bag, waiting patiently.
He didn't even say hello or thank her for coming. “She said she needs to push. Hurry!”
Nonplussed the woman stepped inside, set her bag on the dining room table, and opened it. “I'll join you shortly.”
Cade grabbed her bag startling the foolish woman. He stepped closer and got in her space. “You didn’t seem to hear me—I need you to help Anna. NOW.”
This midwife his mother sent must have a death wish. Her brows rose and then she smiled, actually smiled at him.
“Let me guess. This is your first?”
His fingers itched to snap her neck. Luckily, before he could do anything so stupid, pain doubled him over. Pain so excruciating, it sent him to his knees. “Goddess have mercy…” he whimpered, as sweat plastered his T-shirt to his.
“Try breathing, it helps with the pain,” the midwife suggested in the most unhelpful way.
Cade glared at her and used her bag to push himself up from the floor. “Do you know who and what I am?”
Calmly she answered. “Yes, I know who you are.”
“Then you know I could rip you to shreds in a moment. I suggest you leave your amusement at the door and do your job. NOW!”
The woman sucked in a shocked breath. “Yes, Mr. Le Beau.” Without another word, she hustled to the bedroom.
By the time Cade made it back to Anna’s side, another contraction was building. Her eyes widened, and she reached for his hand. As she had all night, she inhaled deeply, then slowly blew out the breath.
An identi
cal pain slashed through him. Holding his stomach, he squirmed onto his side next to her.
Anna leaned back and closed her eyes. Her exhaustion beat at him. As he watched over his mate, the midwife snapped on rubber gloves and gave Anna an exam. “You’re right. She’s ready to push. I feel the baby crowning.”
He gaped at her audacity. Of course, he was right. Did she think he had been joking?
Now that he had someone to help them through the delivery, he had time to think. In all of his years, he had never imagined he would be experiencing childbirth—literally! Suffering through every pain his mate did. How the hell did women do this? And why the hell would they ever choose to repeat the experience and have more than one child? Hadn’t anyone warned Anna about the pain? You couldn’t tell him women didn’t compare stories about what they went through. He sure as hell would be telling every male in earshot! Wait…she knew, she already had two children. Women are nuts.
When Anna opened her eyes again, the midwife smiled warmly at her. “I’m Debbie. I’ll be delivering your baby this morning, Mrs. Le Beau.”
“Hello, Debbie. Thank you for coming.”
Cade simply inclined his head. He still wasn’t keen on the woman.
“Would you like to watch as your baby is born, Mr. Le Beau?”
Cade moved to the end of the bed and took a look between Anna’s legs.
When he looked up at Anna, his expression must have made it look like it was the nastiest thing he had ever seen.
“What’s wrong?” panic edged her voice.
He scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “Nothing is wrong...I just wasn’t prepared for... that.”
Debbie didn’t even look up as she pulled things from her bag. “The swelling you see is completely normal. It will be pretty again before you know it.”
“I’m going to reposition you, Mrs. Le Beau. Can you manage to get on your hands and knees facing the wall? Try to brace yourself with your hands on the headboard. We don’t have a proper hospital bed, so I’m going to put you on your knees, gravity will help with the birth in this position. Many doctors and midwives know if you put a mother on her back, she has to work much harder to deliver the baby.” Anna grabbed hold, ready for the next contraction. Her fingers turned white with the vice grip she had as the pain hit, and she bore down.
Fixing her eyes on her mate, she fought down a scream as the next contraction hit.
“Shit! It feels like I'm being split in two,” Cade moaned.
Cade kept one hand on his mate at all times. Skin contact was imperative. He did his best to witness his daughter’s birth as each contraction tore through him.
“You’re doing great, Mrs. Le Beau.”
In between pants, she managed, “Call me, Anna. Aaahhh!” Anna cried through gritted teeth as another contraction held her in its grip.
“The baby’s crowning, I can see the top of her head. With the next contraction, give me a good push.”
“Aaahhh!” Anna and Cade groaned as one. Securing a solid hold on the headboard, she bore down and gave it all she had.
“You’re doing great, mon amour. You’re almost done,” he chanted, hardly knowing what he said.
“With this next contraction, I want you to push. Push hard. And when I get to ten, stop pushing. Ready? Push…push!”
“That's it, Anna. Push! Keep pushing... And let it go,” Debbie coached her.
Cade groaned as another contraction swamped them. He was exhausted. He couldn’t imagine how Anna kept going.
His wobbly knees barely holding him upright, he got up from the end of the bed and staggered the few feet to softly kiss her lips. He poured all his love into her through their bond. “You're amazing, mon amour. You take my breath away.”
Softly, she smiled at him and said, “You are too.”
“This is it, folks. One more push! Give me a hard one all the way through the pain.”
She scrunched up her face and pushed, bearing down with everything she had. One…two…three…four, Debbie’s voice sounded far away as she struggled to continue through her utter exhaustion.
Debbie finally called “ten,” and Anna leaned her head against the headboard, too tired to hold it up.
“Okay, the baby’s head is out. Just breathe for me, shallow breaths, and don’t push until I ask you to.”
Cade leaned in and whispered, “Breathe, mon amour. You're swaying and look like you’re going to pass out.”
Anna clenched her teeth and concentrated on not pushing. A moan of relief echoed between her and Cade as the contraction passed. But it was a short-lived break as another hit before she could take a breath.
“One more push and you should be done. Ready? PUSH!” Debbie commanded.
Anna gave it every last bit of energy she had. Suddenly, between one heartbeat and another, she felt the baby slide free. The pain and pressure ebbed away. When she turned to look at Cade to see his reaction, she found him passed out on the floor. Moaning as he slowly regained consciousness.
Blinking once… twice, he cleared his vision. That’s when he realized it was over. Covering her with kisses, he whispered words of love and adoration.
Debbie smiled at them. “You can help her onto her back now. You have a daughter, and she’s beautiful!”
Anna was woozy and tired, but alert, listening.
Nothing. Silence.
About to panic, she struggled to see her baby. Then a smack resounded in the room, followed by the most wonderful, incensed wail she had ever heard.
Cade glanced from his mate to his daughter. All he could see was a tiny pink fist waving angrily. Tears filled his eyes as emotions swamped him.
He’d read stories where women pushed for hours before their baby came out. Thankfully, Anna’s delivery hadn’t been like that. She only pushed a few times. Each was the ‘new’ worst pain he had ever experienced.
Their daughter had been impatient to meet her parents. He would be forever grateful to her for that. He wasn’t sure he would have lasted any longer.
Debbie laid their protesting daughter on Anna’s chest. Both she and Cade’s hands settled around their baby, laying claim to their daughter, as Debbie clamped and cut the cord. Emotions seized him and a lump formed in his throat.
Quietly they held their daughter together while Debbie finished the delivery.
Bright green newborn eyes met his, and the cries stopped instantly.
Father gazed at daughter, and time stood still.
Too soon, Debbie took her again to clean her up and weigh her.
“What are we going to name her?” Cade asked. They hadn't been able to agree on a name, so they decided to wait until they saw her and saw what she looked like. Their theory was a name would come to them once they saw her.
She looked at her daughter and then up at him. “What do you think about Emma Abigail, after your mother? We can call her Abbi to avoid confusion.”
“I think it’s perfect.” He had his incredible mate and a beautiful, healthy daughter. His life couldn't be any more complete.
Thankfully Debbie had brought baby clothes and diapers. He hadn’t thought of those. He had focused on the birth, not what to do with the baby after.
Debbie grinned as she handed Anna a diapered and dressed baby girl. She was swaddled in a pink blanket, wearing a tiny pink gown, with a matching pink knit cap. “Seven pounds, two ounces, and nineteen inches long. Congratulations.”
She had a full head of red hair, like her momma. He’d seen it. But now only a few tiny red curls peeked out from under the cap.
Anna could see the longing in Cade’s gaze. He was dying to hold her. “Emma Abigail Le Beau, this is your daddy.” Grinning happily, she handed Abbi to Cade and watched the most powerful man she knew, turn to mush. Abbi’s little fingers wrapped around one of his, instantly claiming his heart.
They knew the Le Beaus would never be able to wait patiently for them to return home. Soon eight masculine me
n and several women would be fighting over their daughter. Passing her around like a gorgeous, little sack of sugar. But for now, for this moment, she was theirs. Cade laid her in Anna’s arms and kissed them both. “She's absolutely perfect.”
“She sure is,” Anna agreed. “Just like her father.”
Debbie repacked her medical bag and paused in the doorway. “Congratulations again.”
“Let me walk you out,” Cade offered. “Anna could use the rest.”
That was when he realized the house had more people in it than the four of them. Emma and Isaac sat on the couch while Simon, Rose, Marcus, John, Stefan, and El sat in all the other available chairs.
“Really? All of you had to come?” Cade snorted as Emma rushed past him to get to the baby. “Easy there, Mom. She isn’t going anywhere.”
“I know, but I just need to hold her for a minute,” she pleaded.
“Fine.” Then he looked each of them in the eye. “Five minutes each, then I get her back, Anna needs to feed her.”
If Anna weren’t breastfeeding, he wouldn’t have touched his daughter for the rest of the day. His family was incorrigible.
The End
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed Cade and Anna’s follow up story
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Thank you!
V.A. Dold
Continue reading for an excerpt from
RICHIE.
RICHIE
Book 6
Le Beau Series
Prologue: The Plan
With great care, Emma Le Beau placed a purple satin cloth on the altar she consecrated to the Goddess Luperca almost two centuries ago.