Page 23 of Grand Love

I shake my head, my throat catching as I try to hold back the tears.

I can’t do this.

I can’t do this.

Strong hands slip around me, one under my breasts, and the other resting on my hip. “You can do this,” he rasps into my ear.

I shake my head, pinching my eyes shut. His voice is like a sweet melody to my soul.

“Look at me.”

“I have another…” I shake my head. “Oh god. No, no, no!”

“Look. At. Me!”

My eyes snap open as my head drops back to his shoulder.

“Mase, I can’t.” I shake my head, my tears slipping free.

He is just as beautiful as the day I met him.

“Yes, you can. If anyone can do this, it’s you. Breathe, Nina.” His hand smooths over my full, round belly. “Breathe.”

I inhale him as my nose brushes his neck, breathing through the contraction until it eases.

I feel weightless as I’m lifted and placed on the bed, Mason slipping in behind me.

“Okay, with the next contraction, I want you to push, Nina. I can feel the head.”

“See,” he whispers against my ear. “You’re nearly there. You going to give up now?”

“Shut up,” I reply hoarsely.

I can feel his smile against my neck and I watch as Kelly’s lip twitches. I wish I could smile but the ache starts to spread, and I tense up again.

“Relax, relax,” Kelly tells me, rubbing my leg. “I need you to push for me, Nina.”

“Uggghhhhhh!”

“Shhhh, no, that’s not it. Push then pant, remember.”

“It burns.”

“Burns?” Mason repeats.

“Pant,” Kelly tells me, panting with me.

Never in my life have I felt such pain.

“Okay, now push. Push! Push!”

I bear down with everything I have inside me. “Yes, baby,” Mason rasps against my jaw.

“Good girl, stop there. I have the head, and so much hair,” Kelly informs us.

I smile. Finally, something.

“You are incredible.”

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