Page 111 of Rampage

"That was less than five minutes," he says, checking his watch. His face pales further. "Lily, this is happening fast."

"Then you'll have to do it," I manage between deep breaths. "You're a doctor, remember?"

"I'm a pediatric doctor, not an obstetrician!" His voice cracks with panic. "I haven't delivered a baby since med school rotations!"

I grab his hand, squeezing until he meets my eyes. "I trust you more than anyone in this world. Our baby knows your voice, your touch. It's perfect that you'll be the one to bring them into the world." We decided early on that we wanted to be surprised at the gender.

Something shifts in his expression, fear giving way to determination as he straightens his shoulders. "Okay. We can do this." He kisses my forehead, then switches into doctor mode, moving with sudden purpose. "I need to check how dilated you are."

The next hour passes in a blur of intensifying pain. Reid transforms before my eyes, his initial terror replaced by calm efficiency as he times contractions, checks my progress, and prepares our bedroom with everything we might need.

"You're already at eight centimeters," he announces after examining me, surprise and concern mingling in his voice. "This is happening much faster than typical for a first baby."

"Is that bad?" I pant, sweat beading on my forehead as another contraction builds.

"It means our little one is eager to meet us," he says, his smile not quite hiding his worry. He brushes damp hair from my face with gentle fingers. "You're doing beautifully, Lily. So incredibly strong."

The pain intensifies beyond anything I could have imagined, waves crashing over me with barely a moment to breathe between them. I cry out, clutching Reid's hand so tightly my knuckles turn white.

"I can't do this," I sob as the contraction peaks. "It hurts too much."

"You can," Reid insists, his voice steady and sure. His eyes lock with mine, anchoring me through the rising tide of pain. "You're the strongest person I know. Our baby needs you to be strong for just a little longer."

Another contraction builds, this one causing a deep, primal pressure unlike anything I've felt before. I bear down instinctively, a guttural sound tearing from my throat.

"That's it," Reid says, positioning himself between my legs. His doctor's composure has fully taken over, his movements confident and precise. "I can see the head, Lily. Our baby has your hair."

Tears spring to my eyes at his words, giving me renewed strength. I push again, channeling all my focus into bringing our child into the world.

"One more big push," Reid coaches, his voice thick with emotion despite his professional demeanor. "That's it, sweetheart. Almost there."

With one final, tremendous effort, I feel the baby slide from my body in a rush of relief and pain. A moment of silence hangs in the air—one breathless, terrifying second—before a strong, indignant cry fills the cabin.

"It's a girl," Reid announces, his voice breaking as he lifts our daughter onto my chest and cuts the umbilical cord. "We have a daughter, Lily."

She's perfect—red-faced and squalling, her tiny fists waving in outrage at the cold new world. I cradle her against my skin, overwhelmed by a love so fierce it steals my breath.

"Hello, little one," I whisper, counting her fingers and toes through tears of joy. "We've been waiting for you."

Reid sits beside us, his hands trembling slightly as he strokes our daughter's dark hair. The look on his face—awe, love, fierce protectiveness—mirrors exactly what I feel in my heart.

"Eleanor Grace," I say softly, looking up at Reid. "That's her name."

He nods, tears streaming unashamedly down his face. "It's perfect. She's perfect." His finger traces the delicate curve of her cheek. "Thank you for this gift, Lily. For everything."

As Eleanor's cries settle into contented snuffles against my skin, I look around our bedroom, this safe haven we've created together. Outside these walls, the world still holds dangers and challenges, but in this moment, wrapped in Reid's love with our daughter in my arms, I know with absolute certainty that we can face anything that comes.

"We did it," I murmur, leaning into Reid's embrace as he wraps an arm around us both.

"No," he corrects gently, pressing a kiss to my temple. "You did it. I just caught her."

A knock at the front door interrupts our peaceful bubble. Reid reluctantly pulls away to answer it, returning moments later with Meadow, who looks windswept and frantic.

"I'm too late," she says, taking in the sight of baby Eleanor nestled against my chest. Her professional assessment quickly shifts to a warm smile. "But it looks like everything went perfectly."

Before Meadow can fully enter the room, thundering footsteps echo through the cabin. The bedroom door bursts open as Grace rushes in, her eyes wide with excitement, Aiden right behind her with Leah in tow.

"Where is she? Where's my grandbaby?" Grace's voice trembles with emotion as she spots us on the bed.

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