Chapter 79: George

Ernest

“GET OUT!” Gemma roared as she stood bent over the bed, her hair wet with sweat and matted to the sides of her face. Rowan backed through the doorway, tripping over Ethan, who caught him before Rowan could fall flat on his ass in the hallway of the medical clinic. Ethan was wide eyed, stealing a single glance at Rosalie before he dragged Rowan out of sight.

Dad was right behind them, but he stopped before shutting the door, giving me a soft, emotional smile. I nod ded, smiling back, just as Gemma roared again, this time screaming “F*CK!” loud enough for the glass panes in the window to tremble.

Rosalie was at her side, her arms coming around Gem ma’s shoulders. She was whispering in Gemma’s ear, and Gemma was shaking her head, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead.

Rosalie looked at the midwife, who was busy talking to my mom in the corner of the room as they folded towels. When Rosalie failed to get their attention, she moved her gaze to me. She slowly left Gemma’s side and glided across the room, dressed in a nightgown and robe.

“Talon made it seem like it was an emergency. Is she al right?”

“She’s fine,” I said a little too loudly. Gemma snapped her head in my direction, her eyes narrowed into slits. “She’ s doing a great job!” | paled as Gemma’s lip trembled, fury flashing behind her eyes.

“Easy for you to say. It must be nice-ow!” She bent her head toward the bed, rocking her hips from side to side.

“I’m terrified,” I leaned into Rosalie, whispering discreet ly into her ear.

“Don’t be, she’s going to be fine,”

“No, for myself,” | admitted, swallowing hard. “She wants to kill me. I can see it in her eyes.”

Rosalie arched her brow as she stifled a laugh.

“It won’t be long now,” the midwife said as she passed by with a stack of towels in her hands, setting them down on a table on the side of the room.

It was a cozy space with soft yellow walls and cream colored vinyl flooring. It looked more like a bedroom than a hospital room, but the midwife and her assistant had ex plained the reasoning for that during one of Gemma’s re

cent appointments. It was meant to make the patient feel more at home, calmer, and it seemed to prove successful

especially during births.

Winter Forest had had a baby boom over the past decade, and the midwife had delivered almost every single one in this village.

But despite the warm ambiance of the room, vases full of flowers, and a barrage of women tending to Gemma’s every whim, she was struggling.

hour ago, and the situa tion escalated rapidly from there. I had to carry her to the clinic, and she nearly skinned me alive with her fingernails during the short walk from her mother’s house along the shoreline. She had broken the skin in a few places where she gripped my arm for dear life, but I knew it paled in comparison to

nose. Her face was stained with tears. I wanted to take her home. I would do anything she asked if it would take

sat on the edge of the bed and held onto

Rosalie’s eyes, which was quickly replaced by relief as

to Mom as she made a note of the time on her clipboard be fore hanging it back up on the wall. She moved toward the sink and began to thoroughly wash

it’s time,” I said gently, tucking her hair behind her ears

out. Put me

that now, sweetheart. This baby was ready to

of her as sistant and was moving toward Gemma. Gemma

“You’re doing great, Gem.”

my shoulder, straining with all her might. I wasn’t totally sure what to do now, so I sat

had taken a birth class with the midwife, but it had been a calm experience. This

side in an instant, her hands gently running down the length of Gemma’s arms as she began

on the other side of the bed looking absolutely ecstatic as she beamed down

ready to have this baby?” The midwife posi tioned herself between Gemma’s legs, smiling up at her over the

cried, and I felt tears welling

Gemma’s hands and was leaning down to whisper en couragements to her. Rosalie placed her hand on my back, patting it gently before she took

hand. “You

eyes off

of the last nine months won dering how I would ever deserve her. She was so strong, so incredibly intelligent and all around perfect in every way. And now

she brought our child into the world. I only remember the feeling of her hand in mine, and how the tension abruptly left her body as the tell-tale wail

tucked into his belly like he had been in the womb. Gemma was sobbing, and Rosalie was stroking her hair. Mom looked a little pale, but the wide smile stretched

His head fit in

I couldn’t believe it.

that moment that I must have been dreaming. It felt like only yesterday I had carried Gemma out of

I’d never have this moment with

hat on his head. He felt heavy in my arms despite his size. I didn’t realize

smiling, tears rolling down

so much,” I said to her, my voice catching

creased

***

a name yet? It’s been two weeks.” Ethan walked into the living room carrying

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