Chapter Thirty-Five
Once Cade was more or less asleep, Hunter called Joe and Jensen back into the room.
“Nicely done,” Jensen said, on catching sight of the dozing omega.
“I don’t blame him for freaking out,” Hunter said. “I had that moment myself and I’m not the one doing the hard work.”
He moved to slip out from beside Cade, hearing the omega’s sleepy protest.
Hunter leaned over and placed a kiss on his shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere, beautiful. I’m staying right here by your side.”
Joe did his thing with Hunter staying put, working around them both. Cade woke and answered a few questions, falling asleep again moments later.
“We’re still in the first stage, probably for at least a few more hours.”
That was long enough for Cade to get a good long rest and for Seth to arrive.
When Seth did arrive, two hours later, Hunter snorted with laughter on seeing him.
“What?” Seth said defensively as Hunter eyed his wild hair and plaid shirt buttoned haphazardly.
He got up, detaching himself from Cade, who was awake and eating some fruit.
“Thanks for coming, Seth,” Hunter said, throwing his arms around his cousin. “Never change, okay? Never.”
That put a grin on Seth’s face. “Why, what-” He caught sight of himself in the mirror on the wall. “-oh. Oh.”
He turned sheepish. “I had to make up a good excuse to get out of there. Dad started nagging at me over something, I blew up at him, yelled and told him I needed some space to clear my head.” He started trying to smooth down his hair with his hands. “Obviously, there wasn’t a lot of time for preparation.”
“You’re here, that’s what counts,” Cade said, unable to hide a sleepy yawn.
“So, did I miss everything or was it a false alarm because… this looks nothing like what I was expecting. I thought there’d be chaos, people everywhere, Cade kneeling on the bed, screaming at the top of his lungs.”
“That was earlier,” Cade said blithely. “I feel better now.”
“But… what happened with the babies? Did you just forget to give birth to them? Decide maybe Thursday wasn’t as auspicious a day as you’d hoped for. Or are they already born and we’re playing a weird game of hide and seek?”
“They’re not born yet,” Joe said, sounding amused. “We could totally play hide the baby once they’re born, though. As long as we don’t lose count and forget to find one.”
“Hey,” Hunter protested. “If you want to hide a baby, you guys go have your own and keep your mittens off mine.”
“But Hunter,” Seth whined. “Neither of us have baby-making abilities. It’s all on you and Cade here.”
Another contraction hit Cade, the only outward sign being Cade’s gaze dropping to the bed, eyes closing as he slowed his breathing. Hunter sat next to him and rubbed his lower back.
“Does it hurt a lot?” Seth asked.
“At first it did,” Cade said, as the contraction eased off. “Because I was freaking out. Now it doesn’t hurt at all. It actually feels pretty good.”
“It feels good?” Seth said. “Okay, great. I don’t need to know anymore. Just give me a heads up when I need to go outside.”
The way Cade explained it, was that the contractions were a rising pressure that grew to a point then eased off again. What neither of them said in front of Seth was that Cade described it as like the build-up to an orgasm.
The afternoon sun was lazing in the sky when things started to progress. During a contraction, Cade grabbed Hunter’s hand, squeezing like he hadn’t done since the first time around.
Joe hurried over, doing a quick check.
“It’s time.”
Cade wasn’t sure he’d ever look at the word push the same way again. It seemed at once to be both the easiest and hardest thing he ever had to do. His body wanted to push, and yet his brain fought the idea. That was the fear again, lurking.
It didn’t help that Hunter was suddenly ultra-territorial and when Doctor Jensen tried to assist, his alpha growled at him.
“Seth!” Cade yelled, remembering why the other man was there.
Seth poked his head in the door, one hand shielding his eyes from anything he didn’t want to see.
“Hunter needs you.”
“I don’t, I’m fine,” Hunter protested.
“You just growled at my doctor,” Cade retorted. “Don’t growl at my- ow.” The pain was back, with a vengeance.
It was worse than before, way worse. Jensen came closer and Hunter actually shoved him away before Seth could step between them.
“Cade shouldn’t be feeling pain,” Jensen said. “I need to make sure nothing’s wrong.”
Cade didn’t think that could happen with Hunter in the room.
“Get him outside, Seth.”
“No, Cade,” Hunter said.
“Outside,” Cade yelled. He was trying to have a baby or four, for heaven’s sake. He couldn’t police alpha squabbles when his kids’ lives were at risk.
Seth manhandled Hunter out the door, leaving Jensen and Joe with Cade. Joe seemed a little uncertain, waiting for Jensen’s opinion.
“Everything looks good,” the alpha said. “Head is fully engaged, you’re dilated fully, your contractions are good and strong.”
He leaned forward until he was eye to eye with Cade.
“What’s on your mind right now?”
“I’m scared for my babies.”
“No, before that. When the pain started again.”
“I’m not sure I can do this.”
Jensen gave him a reassuring smile. “I don’t think there’s a parent on the planet who didn’t have that thought. And I’m certain Hunter is having those exact same doubts. But your body knows exactly what it’s doing. You need to trust it. The rest will come.”
Jensen called Hunter back in. The alpha stopped at the foot of the bed.
“I need you,” Cade admitted tearfully. “I can’t do this alone.”
Hunter came around to stand at the head of the bed, taking Cade’s hand in his. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise you. You’re my family now and River Den is my home. And these…” He pressed a hand against Cade’s stomach. “…these are our kids. Sure, they’ll be a handful and a half, but we’ll manage, together.”
The next contraction came and Hunter helped him sit up in the bed, wrapping a supportive arm around him and holding his hand.
“You can do this,” he murmured into Cade’s ear. “I promise you, I won’t let you go until it’s over.”
The pain eased again, Hunter’s scent filling him, Hunter touch warm against his skin.
“I’m ready.”