Chapter Twenty-Four
Zane
I couldn’t remember how many hours into Aden’s labor we were when he finally got an epidural and was able to get some sleep. He was absolutely exhausted and had passed out from fatigue. I knew we didn’t have long left before it would be time for him to push, but I’d had to get out of the room for a minute. I was out pacing the floors of the omega maternity ward. A nurse was inside with Aden while I stretched my legs. I was more nervous than I’d ever been in my entire military career, and I’d seen some shit that would make most people curl up in a ball and cry.
The door to Aden’s room opened and the nurse poked her head out. “It’s time.”
I could hear Aden crying out inside the room, and I rushed back down the hall. “Is everything okay?”
“The epidurals only last so long. It’s wearing off. Come on, it’s time. It won’t be long now.”
“I can’t do this,” Aden yelled.
“Yes, you can,” I said and took his hand. “You can do anything. You are the toughest soldier I know, and you are going to be the best daddy any baby has ever had.”
A few seconds later, a doctor came in and everyone took their positions. I was hoping that after everything Aden had been through, the pushing part of the delivery would be short.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way for my poor Aden. Two hours in, he was exhausted, pale, and the doctor had begun to look worried.
“Doctor, he is starting to spike a fever,” the nurse said gravely.
“That’s it. I’m calling it here. Let’s get Aden to surgery.”
“What? What’s going on?” I asked.
“A fever is a bad sign in the omega. It means this has gone on too long to be healthy for daddy and baby. We’re taking Aden in for a C-section.”
“Can I be there with him?” I asked.
“Yes, a nurse will take you to get scrubbed up and you can meet us in the OR once Aden is prepped and ready.”
“Doctor!” a nurse yelled to get his attention.
We turned and Aden had passed out. “Forget that. I’m sorry. It’s now an emergency C-section. You can wait here or in the maternity ward waiting room.”
It was a blur after that. They took Aden away, and I stayed in the room. I was afraid to move from my spot because I wanted to make sure they could find me the second our baby was born.
Ten minutes later, a different nurse popped her head in the room. “Come on. I know you like to pace. Let’s get you ready so you can pace outside the operating room.”
“What about Aden and the baby?” I asked as I crossed the room to join her.
“I heard that Aden is awake again. He must have just passed out from exhaustion. That means as soon as your baby is out, you can go in. You won’t have to wait for them to come back to the room. Come on; let’s get you in those scrubs.”
I waited outside the OR for another half hour. In the movies and on TV, C-sections always happen in a flash. I found out that day that they can actually take an hour or more.
I paced up and down the hall until I heard someone call my name. “Captain Mayfield.”
I turned and the nurse who had been with Aden through the whole delivery was looking out for me. “I’m here. I’m here,” I said and ran back.
“Captain, please come meet your daughter.”
“My daughter?” I asked. “I have a daughter!” I yelled joyfully before letting the OR door close behind me.
“Congratulations!” the doctors and nurses said in unison.
I went to Aden’s side to wait for our daughter. He looked pale and wrung out, but there was a huge smile plastered across his face.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“It hurts a lot, but it’s all worth it.” A loud cry rang out. “Do you here her? That’s our baby.”
“I guess we don’t have to worry about whether it’s an Alpha or an omega anymore,” I said with a chuckle.
“Nope,” the doctor chimed in. “You’ve definitely got an Alpha.”
“What?” Aden and I both asked.
“Yep, we run the gene stick on girls too as part of protocol. Your daughter has inherited the Alpha gene from the Captain. It’s very rare, but it does happen.”
“What are we going to name her?” Aden asked.
“I think you should choose, honey. You did all of the hard work,” I said with a smile.
“Rosalie Summer Mayfield.”
“I think that’s perfect,” I said as they handed us our beautiful baby girl.