weren’t going smoothly.
“The first baby’s head isn’t down,” Dr. Lowe explained quietly. “He’s lying sideways, his chin toward your hip.”
“What does that mean?” Riley wanted to know.
“It means all the pushing in the world won’t get this baby out.”
“Will he move the right way around on his own?”
“Maybe, but you’re both already under stress, as is his sibling.”
“Then what do you recommend as the next step?” Brendan asked, rubbing a soothing hand up and down Riley’s back.
“A C-section. I know it’s not what either of you would prefer, but the little one seems wedged quite tightly into that position. The contractions aren’t doing anything but keeping him in place. The longer it goes on, the more tired you and the babies will be.”
Riley already felt exhausted. “No, that’s okay. I just want everyone safe. If a C-section is the best way, then that’s what I want.”
He looked to Brendan, wanting his mate’s opinion.
“I support whatever is best for you and the babies,” Brendan said, giving him a tight smile.
They were wheeled straight into the operating room. As Riley was helped into a gown, Brendan disappeared for a few minutes. He returned dressed in scrubs, a paper hat, and a plastic apron. A nurse placed overlapping belts on Riley’s stomach to monitor the babies’ heartbeats. And then he was left sitting on the edge of the bed as they waited for the doctor to come place the line into his back for the anesthetic. At least he’d be awake to greet their babies.
“This wasn’t how I imagined our evening would end,” Riley said, glancing around at all the monitors and equipment.
“Me neither,” Brendan agreed. He was holding Riley’s hand tightly, which was the only indication that he was as scared as Riley felt.
One of the machines around them started to beep strangely, and the nurse hurried over to adjust the belts across his bump.
“Doctor,” she called suddenly. “Baby A’s heartbeat is dropping.”
And just like that, everything changed from calm and unhurried to frantic. Dr. Lowe swept into the room, calling orders to the rest of the staff.
“Riley, it’s time for the babies to come out. We need to put you under fast, so it’ll have to be a general anesthetic. Brendan will be right here the whole time.”
They helped him turn and lie back on the bed. Someone stretched his arm out, and he felt the pinch of a needle, his eyes seeking his mate’s.
“Brendan?”
“I’m right here. I won’t leave your side.”
“Until the babies are born. You’re a dad now. You have to protect them first, always. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
A cold sensation ran up his arm, and he shivered, his eyes growing heavy.
“I love you,” Brendan murmured, and he felt the press of warm lips to his forehead as the noise around him grew distant.
It seemed like forever and no time at all before his eyes opened again. He groggily lifted his head and peered around the room. Brendan sat at his bedside, his head down, his eyes closed. And right next to him were two bassinets, each with a precious bundle inside.
“Bre— Brendan?” He had to try twice to get the word out, his throat parched.
The alpha blinked his eyes open, his face lighting up with a smile when he found Riley awake.
“Hey, sleeping beauty. Everything’s okay. You got through the C-section just fine, and we have two beautiful sons.”
“They’re okay?” His voice cracked again, and Brendan reached for a cup on the bedside table.
“They’re perfect. Here, try some of this.”
Riley sucked on the straw, cool liquid soothing his dry throat. There was a dull ache of pain in his abdomen, and a general feeling of soreness in his body, but it all felt far away as he peered over at the babies.
“Would you like to hold them?” Brendan offered.
Riley nodded eagerly.
“I’ll do all the work. You just relax.”
The alpha raised the head of the bed slowly, giving Riley time to adjust to the new position. Then he fluffed the pillows and rearranged the blankets, making sure Riley was as comfortable as possible. He also showed him the button to press for more pain relief. Once Riley was situated, he carried the first baby over and laid him in Riley’s arms.
“This is the little guy who caused all the trouble. I guess it’s hard to tell up from down in there.”
Riley giggled softly and peered down at the sleeping baby.
“He’s so small,” he murmured, stroking one finger across a tiny cheek.
“They’ll grow, faster than you think.”
Brendan lifted the other baby