“If you try to put Theodore Fitzcharles IV on his birth certificate, I will gut you.”

Theo braced himself against the back of the bed and held perfectly still as Meg did her best to break every bone in his fingers. When the contraction ended and she slumped against his chest, he exhaled carefully. “What name would you like?”

“You’re humoring me, and I hate that you’re humoring me.” He’d braided her hair back from her face as soon as they realized the contractions weren’t slowing down, and he was glad for that fact now. They were both straining and sweating, and the last thing she needed was to worry about hair in her face. Meg pointed at Galen where he paced the space in front of the bed. “Stop that. You’re making me nervous.”

“Should it be taking this long?” Galen ran his hands over his head, his eyes too wide. “I’m going to go get that goddamn doctor and get some answers.”

“Galen.” Theo put enough snap in his voice to stop his husband. “If you piss off Meg, she’s going to gut you. Dr. Oakes has things well in hand. The baby is in position. He just stepped out of the room for two minutes. Breathe.”

Someone in this room had to breathe, because it sure as hell wasn’t going to be Theo. He’d attended birthing classes with Meg, had read all the books, had educated himself on everything pregnancy and baby related until he drove both her and Galen up the wall.

None of it had prepared him for the experience of Meg going into labor. Of the pain that turned her body into a tight spasming ball of fury that he could do nothing to abate. He had her supported with his body, had given her something to cling to, but it didn’t seem to make a difference when each new contraction hit. She cursed, she squeezed his hands to mush, she threatened the kind of violence that would have been impressive under different circumstances. Through it all, he could only endure. That was his only role in this—to do whatever she needed.

Another contraction hit and Meg let loose a breathless curse. “God, that one really hurts.”

Galen went wild-eyed. “That’s enough right fucking there.” He charged to the door and threw it open.

Dr. Oakes stood there, his brows raised. “Do you need to take a walk, Consort?”

“No,” Galen growled.

“Then stop with the theatrics.” The doctor motioned his nurse into the room and then moved with purpose to the end of the bed and gave Meg a kind smile. “Breathe, yes just like that, I know it hurts, Consort, but you’re doing wonderfully.” His presence took the tension in the room down several notches. Once the contraction passed, he pulled his chair closer. “I’m going to check your cervix.”

Several seconds passed.

Dr. Oakes took a careful breath. “Looks like your little fellow’s been busy. It’s time.” He jerked his chin at Galen. “Consort, if you would help brace her knee while she pushes. Nurse Lecanter, if you could take the other knee.” He met Meg’s gaze. “When the next contraction comes, I need you to bear down and push. You’re going to meet your son soon.”

“Okay.” Meg panted, each breath tearing at Theo’s control. “Okay, I can do this.”

“You can do this,” he murmured in her ear. “You are strong and powerful and our child is lucky to have you as a mother. You’re almost there, princess. We’ve got you.”

Just like that, it was time. Theo breathed with her, Galen held her leg, his expression at once panicked and rapturous. It was happening. She was having their baby. Holy fuck, Theo hadn’t expected this level of emotion curdling in his chest. Fear and joy and hope. And he could do nothing but wait for the conclusion, whispering an endless string of comforting words to ground Meg as she fought to bring their son into the world.

“Good, good.” Dr. Oakes smiled. “He’s crowned. Another couple of pushes and he’ll be here.”

So it went. Time lost meaning. There were only contractions and brief respites. All color had leeched from Galen’s face, and Theo imagined he looked just as terrified. Should it be taking this long? He couldn’t voice the question, couldn’t do anything to bring fear into this room. Dr. Oakes had things well in hand. He had to.

“There we go.”

A shrill scream sounded through the room and Theo’s heart actually stopped when he realized it hadn’t come from any of them. No, it was… the baby. Dr. Oakes let loose a little laugh. “Well, apparently your son isn’t a son at all.” He lifted the tiny baby. “Congratulations on your daughter.”

Things happened quickly after that. Galen cut the cord, the doctor dealt with the afterbirth, their daughter was delivered to Meg’s bare chest, and both were wrapped in comfortable blankets. He and Galen ended up on either side of her, staring down at this tiny person that they’d made. She looked much like an angry old woman, but she was still the most beautiful thing Theo had ever seen. He stroked the side of her sleeping face with a single finger.

“Louise,” Meg whispered. “I want to name her Louise.”

Theo would have given her the world in that moment if she’d asked, but he hesitated. “Are you sure?” Louise had been his mother’s middle name and while he loved the idea of honoring her this way, he’d been serious when he promised Meg that she could pick any name she wanted for their child.

“It’s a good name,” Galen said, his voice hoarse. He smoothed a careful hand over Louise’s head. “Fuck, she’s perfect.”

“She really is.” Theo turned his head and kissed Meg’s temple. “I love you. Both of you.”

“Love you, too.” She sounded half asleep. “Would you like to hold her?”

“Yes.” He carefully took Louise and arranged her against his bare chest like the nurse had shown them. Theo covered her back with a careful hand, delighting in the slow and steady rise and fall of her breathing. A baby. They had a baby.

His life had been full of major highs and devastating lows, and this moment, right here, was the worth the entire ride. He pressed a soft kiss to Louise’s crown of dark hair. She had a full head of it, which delighted him to no end. “Your life comes with great privilege, little girl, and great responsibility. You are our jewel and our treasure and we will protect you to our dying breath. Our family is a little unconventional, but you will want for nothing. You will spend your life surrounded by an abundance of love.”

“Forever,” Meg said.

Galen gave a shaky grin, his dark eyes shining in the low light. “Always.”