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.

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 what she was feeling now.

Ernest, I want to go home now!” She pleaded, reaching up to wipe her nose. Her face was stained with tears. I wanted to take her home. I would do anything she asked if it would take the pain away. But

on the edge of the bed and held onto her arms as another ripping contraction swept over

could see a moment of recognition pass behind Rosalie’s eyes, which was quickly replaced by relief as Gemma came out of the contraction

clipboard be fore hanging it back up on the wall. She moved toward the sink and began

said gently, tucking her hair behind her ears as she rocked back

it out. Put

for that now, sweetheart. This

midwife had donned gloves with the help of her as sistant and was moving toward Gemma. Gemma saw her and tensed, her eyes

“You’re doing great, Gem.”

to go home – oh, Goddess, please, help!” She pressed her head against my shoulder, straining with all her might. I wasn’t totally sure

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

my side in an instant, her hands gently running down the

absolutely ecstatic as she beamed down at

this baby?” The midwife posi tioned herself between Gemma’s legs, smiling up at her

cried, and I felt tears

at my mom, who had taken one of Gemma’s hands and was leaning down to whisper en couragements to her. Rosalie placed her

took Gemma’s hand. “You

off of her. I felt

ever done in my life had led to this very moment. I had spent every waking moment 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.

to her as 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

belly like he had been in the womb. Gemma was sobbing, and Rosalie was stroking

I laid it over his head. His head fit in

I couldn’t believe it.

I must have been dreaming. It felt like only yesterday I had carried Gemma out of the cas tle and laid her down

never have this

despite his size. I didn’t realize Rosalie had guid ed me into a chair until I looked up, seeing Gemma looking down at me from the bed, her face damp

smiling, tears

I said to her,

creased

***

name yet? It’s been two weeks.” Ethan walked into the

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