Page 5 of Coyotes Ever After

Mila lets go of her hand and starts to move away.

“No.” Stella’s tone is strong and certain now. “You’re staying right there. Ben, come to my other side.”

The nurse who’s standing there moves aside so I can be next to her. My throat tightens with emotion as I kiss her damp forehead. Her hairline is soaked with sweat.

“You’re here.” Her soft smile quickly turns into a grimace, her back arching up off the bed. “Oh God...I need to push.”

I put an arm around her shoulders, supporting her upper body as the doctor encourages her to keep pushing.

“That’s it,” Mila says. “Dig deep, Stella. Keep going.”

“I can see the baby’s whole head!” Cam says. “Oh, what a perfect little head. So beautiful. You’re close.”

“Take a break from pushing,” Dr. Halverson says. “Everything is looking great; just give me a few seconds.”

Stella meets my gaze, panting lightly. I kiss her temple and speak in her ear in a low tone that’s only for her.

“You’re incredible. I love you so fucking much.”

She turns her upper body toward me slightly, panting and moaning softly.

“Perfect, Stella,” the nurse says. “Keep breathing.”

“Okay, you can push,” Dr. Halverson says. “Get those shoulders out and the hard part will be over.”

Stella whimpers and takes a breath in and out.

“Come on, babe,” I say. “Keep pushing.”

She looks helplessly over at Mila, who gives her a steely look.

“I’d do it for you if I could,” Mila says. “But only you can do this for your baby. You’re strong, Stella. Now push with every fucking thing you’ve got. You’re almost there.”

Stella groans and finds a new strength, her whole upper body tensing as she pushes. Her expression is agonized. I hate that I can’t do anything but witness her pain.

She lets out a long cry and the nurse gives her a bright smile.

“That’s it, Stella! The shoulders are out!”

Sucking in a breath, Stella’s face lights up when she sees our baby in the doctor’s arms.

“You have a son,” Dr. Halverson says, giving us a quick peek at his face.

Stella bursts into tears and collapses back against the bed. She’s boneless, her hold on Mila’s hand relaxing.

“A boy.” Stella smiles at me. “We have a baby boy.”

“You were amazing.” My voice is choked with tears I can’t hold back.

The doctor quickly delivers the placenta while another doctor and another nurse hover over the baby off to the side.

When the nurse puts our son in my wife’s arms, she gets an expression that’s more peaceful and euphoric than I’ve ever seen. She was made for this moment.

Mila and Cam slipped out of the room, so it’s just the three of us. Stella cuddles our son and kisses his forehead, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“You want to hold him?” she offers.

Slowly and gently, I take him from her. I’m flooded with love as I look at his perfect little nose, cheeks, eyes and lips.

---