“Push, Angel,” Anita said. Damian held Angel’s hand as she squeezed so tight he wondered if she was trying to break every single bone.

“I am fucking pushing,” she ground out.

“It’s okay,” Damian said, and stroked her head.

“Is it, Damian? Are you as big as a house, and pushing, and trying to force something out that clearly doesn’t fit through me?” Angel growled.

Damian shut up. He knew better than to even try to answer that. He’d told her how beautiful she looked just weeks earlier and she went ballistic.

“We’re almost there. Take a quick break and breathe normally. On the next contraction, push with all your might and that should be enough to get this stubborn child out.” Anita wiped her sweaty brow with her sleeve. She’d delivered other pups in the past, but knowing Alpha Thor and Calista, and Angel’s parents were all sitting in the waiting room made her a bit more nervous than she should be. She was sent to Alpha Damian’s Pack to make sure the babies were taken care of, and she didn’t want anything bad to happen. So far, everything was going well. And with any luck at all, this final push would deliver a healthy baby.

“Ughh,” Angel groaned. “Can I push?”

“Yes, go ahead. Push, dear,” Anita encouraged.

Angel bore down and gave one final hard push, tightening her grip on Damian’s hand once again.

She felt the relief in her lower region as the baby made its way out into the world, and safely into Anita’s waiting arms. No smack was needed to get the baby to cry. The screams were loud.

“Congratulations,” Anita said. “”It’s a boy. And does he ever have a good set of lungs on him.” She laughed, and was joined by Damian and Angel.

Anita quickly set the baby on Angel’s stomach, then asked Damian if he wanted to cut the cord. He curled his lips, raised his eyebrows, and shook his head. She did so for him and then took the little bundle over to the heated basinet, where she cleaned him up and wrapped him in a clean, warm blanket before returning him to his mother’s arms.

“He’s beautiful,” Angel whispered.

“He’s handsome. You’re beautiful,” Damian said, then kissed her forehead.

“It’s okay for a baby to be referred to as beautiful. And he is. He’s perfectly beautiful to me,” Angel said.

“You’re right, my love. He is.”

“I’ll give you both as much time as you want, but remember you have people out there waiting to meet this little one. Do you have a name picked out yet?”

“No,” Damian said.

“Damiano, Jr. That’s his name. Our little D.J.”

“Damian, is that the name?”

“If that’s the name Angel wants, far be it from me to disagree with this beautiful woman who continues to make me happier than I ever imagined possible.”

Angel and Damian carefully inspected their much-awaited little one. They looked at his hands and feet, holding each in their hands and commenting on how soft his skin was. Then Angel noticed he had a birthmark on the front of his neck.

“This is a good sign,” Angel said, rubbing the small patch.

“What do you mean?” Damian questioned.

“A birthmark on the front of the neck means he’ll be a great success,” she said.

“I’ve never heard of anything like that.”

“Well, I have. And I believe what they say about birthmarks. I’m glad he doesn’t have a birthmark on the back of his neck, like you do.”

“What does that mean?”

“A birthmark on the back of his neck means he’s going to be very aggressive and stubborn.”

“Maybe my mom and dad should have looked into this whole birthmark thing.” Damian chuckled.

Anita finished cleaning up and put a clean sheet under Angel, then brought her another warm blanket.

A slight tapping at the door made all three of them laugh.

“Fifty bucks says that’s my dad,” Damian whispered.

“I’ll bet money it’s your mom,” Angel whispered back.

“Shall we see?” Anita asked in a low voice.

They nodded.

Anita made her way to the door and opened it to reveal Thor, Calista, and Angel’s parents all huddled around the entry. They all laughed.

“Is everything okay? We heard the baby cry,” Calista said.

“Come on in. Everything’s fine. Wash up, then you can each hold him,” Damian said.

“Him? A little boy? Congratulations, Damiano and Angel,” his father bellowed, then pulled his son into a hug.

Everyone else offered their congratulations. Calista finished washing her hands first and quickly made her way to the side of the bed. Damian lifted his precious son from Angel’s arms, then handed him to his mother.

“Oh. My. Goddess. He’s so beautiful.” She looked at Angel, her eyes filled with tears. Angel smiled at her. “What a precious little gift. I never thought I’d have a grandson.” She walked over to the chair that was sitting near the foot of the bed and sat down. She then rubbed her fingers over the baby’s face and held his tiny hands in hers. She rocked him back and forth, while talking to him.

“What’s his name?” Thor asked.

“Damiano, Jr,” Angel said.

“Oh, Lord. Be careful what you wish for with that name,” he said, then laughed. Everyone else laughed except Damian.

“I’m just kidding, Damiano.” Thor cleared his throat. “Calista, my love. There are others who’d like a chance to hold this adorable little creature.”

Calista walked over to Angel’s mom, and placed the baby in her waiting arms. She, too, cooed and fawned over the amazing little creation. Her tears tumbled down her cheeks.

When everyone had taken their turn holding little Damiano he was handed back to Damian, who held him proudly.

“My son,” he said as he stared at the baby.

“We’re going to leave. We’ll see you again soon. Angel looks pretty tired right now,” her mother said.

Damian looked at his beautiful mate and saw her struggling to keep her eyes open. He sat on the edge of the bed, and with D.J. in one arm, fast asleep, he stroked his beautiful Angel’s face with his other hand.

“Get some sleep, my beauty. I’m not leaving. I’ll be by your side forever.”

Her eyes closed and she drifted off.