Running into the reception area of the delivery suite, I feel ready to fall over with anxiety. My wife had been well this morning with no signs of anything, and although I’ve been told it’s quiet normal to be two weeks early, my heart hasn’t stopped beating hard since Charlotte’s call.

My eyes land on a nurse in scrubs behind the desk, and her calm, smiling face helps to settle me some.

“My wife, Sirena Hudson. I need to find her.”

“Ah, you must be Garrett.” She smiles. “She’s refusing to push until you arrive.”

My eyes widen with surprise and then laughter slips out. “That’s my girl.”

“She’s doing well, so don’t worry. Just give me a moment and then we’ll get you into her.” The nurse goes through into a secure area while I run my hands through my hair in agitation.

I just want to be with her instead of out here pacing back and forth.

“You’re him,” a whispered voice over my shoulder snags my attention.

I spin around, confused, and meet the eyes of a young man. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He stands and looks away before holding my gaze. “I’m Harry Bennett.”

Hearing his name is like a kick in the balls. My thoughts run wild knowing he’s in the waiting room while my wife is giving birth to his child.

“I know what you’re thinking, and I’m only still here because I wanted to see you.” He lets out a loud sigh. “You’ll look after my child, right?”

“Sirena and our child will never want for anything.” I stand my ground, completely stunned to have him here.

“That’s good enough for me. Tell Sirena, I wish her well, and that she’ll never have any trouble from me.” He turns and quickly exits while I’m still staring after him when the nurse comes over to me with green scrubs

“Please put these on and then I’ll take you on back.”

Still finding it difficult to comprehend that Harry was here, I quickly tug the green covering on and follow the nurse through the suite of rooms, until she stops in front of one.

“Your baby is impatient to arrive, so things are going to be moving very quickly,” she adds and pushes the door open.

Sirena spots me straightaway and burst into tears, holding her hand out toward me. I dash over and take her hand into mine while I let my forehead rest against hers, offering what comfort I can.

“You’ve gotten here just in time,” Charlotte says. “She needs to push.”

“Right, Sirena. Let’s get this baby out, and no more refusing to do as I say,” the doctor pointedly stares at her before taking his seat between her spread thighs.

“When I say push, you push with everything you have, okay?” the doctor pauses. “Dad, you need to hold on to Sirena and lend her your strength.”

I quickly get my arms around her, and let her grab ahold of one of my hands. Charlotte holds the other, and then Sirena gives a loud, tortured groan as she starts pushing.

“Okay, pant,” the doctor, instructs.

I don’t think I’ve been as nervous as I am now and seeing Sirena in so much pain and discomfort makes me want to hurl. I wont. I can’t. She needs support.

She pushes and strains for what feels like hours, and then the doctor finally says, “The head is out,” with enthusiasm. “On the next contraction, push hard, and your baby will be here.”

I blink when my vision goes blurry and I realize that it’s tears of happiness that fall down my face. I glance across at Charlotte and she has the same emotion written all over hers.

My attention is quickly caught up with Sirena’s pain again as she strains her entire body and moans, seconds later she sags against me and we hear the cry of our child.

“It’s a boy,” the doctor announces, placing our son onto Sirena’s stomach.

“Oh,” I hear Charlotte say before she starts crying. “I have a nephew,” she mutters through her tears, which are falling quicker than she can wipe them away.

I kiss Sirena on the cheek and whisper, “I’m so proud of you.”

“We have a son, Garrett.”

Kissing her lips, I whisper, “I don’t think I could ever love anything as much as I love our family.” With another kiss to her lips, I step back so that the nurse can check Sirena over.

Charlotte moves to stand beside me and asks, “Do you have a name picked out considering you were so sure the baby was a girl?”

Sirena hears and holding my gaze, tells her sister, “Elias Michael James Hudson.” She smiles softly as she keeps a close eye on what the midwife is doing with our son. “You know why we’ve chosen Elias and Michael, and James is Garrett’s middle name.”

“I love the name Elias, and grandpa is going to ball like a big baby when he finds out,” Charlotte says.

“I know.” She pointedly looks at her sister. “So no telling anyone his name. I want to be there when grandpa and grandma find out.”

“My lips are sealed.”

Elias is passed back to Sirena while the midwife helps my beautiful wife feed our son. “You have a hungry baby, and they don’t always latch on the first few times properly, but he has.” The midwife smiles. “I’ll be looking after you on the day shift, so if you need help with anything, please press the call button in the room that you’ll be transferred to soon, okay? I’ll be around and pop in from time to time to check on you both. But I’m here to help you okay? No need to hold back.”

Charlotte smiles and glances at me. “My husband does worry so we appreciate any guidance before we leave here.”

She busies herself while I move back over to my wife, dropping into the seat that Charlotte shoves behind me.

“You look just about ready to fall over.” Charlotte shakes her head and moves to the opposite side again.

“Garrett, do you want to hold our son?” Sirena asks, a few stray tears wet her rosy cheeks.

I find that I can’t speak at those words so with butterflies in my stomach, I stand and gently lift Elias from Sirena. I sit back down and cradle him in my arms, hearing the camera on Charlotte’s phone snapping pictures.

“I need you to know that I’ll love him always, Sirena. He’s my son.” I hold her gaze, although her eyes are swimming with tears.

“I know you will. You already look the part.” She smiles and takes my offered hand.

“Don’t forget that Auntie Charlotte needs a quick hold before I go and tell everyone. They should be in the waiting room by now.”

“Okay, but I need to shower—badly,” Sirena grumbles.

“The nurse said you’re to use the room behind us to wash up, so I’ll help you in there while Daddy stays with baby.”

“You okay with that?” Sirena asks.

“Oh yes.” I tear my eyes away from Elias. “Just shout if you need help.”

I’m left with our baby and find it difficult to imagine that only an hour before he was inside of Sirena. His head of dark hair is just like his mothers, along with his nose and chin. He’s a content baby, or at least he is for now. Of course I’d rather him stay that way while his mother is in the shower.

“Elias Michael James Hudson, you are a tiny miracle who will always be cherished.”