chapter 123: Hold on, baby

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Chapter 123 – Damon's POV

"Hold on, Baby…"

The drive to the hospital had never felt so long.

One hand gripped the steering wheel, the other reached across the seat, tightly wrapped around Arya's trembling fingers. Her head was pressed back against the headrest, eyes squeezed shut, lips trembling as she tried to breathe through another contraction.

"Breathe, baby… In and out. Just like they taught us, okay?" I said, trying to stay calm even though my heart was practically clawing its way out of my chest.

"I am breathing," she snapped, her voice strained and sharp.

Then another contraction hit.

Her nails dug into my skin as she whimpered and arched forward.

I gritted my teeth and pressed harder on the gas pedal. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. We're almost there. Just hold on for me a little longer, okay?"

Liam sat quietly in the back seat, clutching his stuffed dinosaur and looking more serious than I'd ever seen him. His little legs dangled above the floor, and his eyes were locked on Arya's face.

"Mama?" he whispered.

Arya turned her head toward him, her breath coming out in shallow bursts. "Hey… sweet boy… Mama's okay," she managed, forcing a smile that barely masked the pain in her voice. "Your sister's just being a little impatient."

"I'll tell her to wait," he said softly, and I swear I felt my heart break a little.

Arya groaned suddenly, her other hand flying to her belly. "Oh God, this one's worse. Damon—!"

"I know, I know," I said quickly, signaling left and switching lanes. "I can see the hospital. We're almost there, Arya."

"I can't… I don't think I can sit anymore," she gasped, shifting her weight and trying not to cry out. "It feels like she's pushing down—!"

"Hey, hey, don't panic." I reached over and cupped her cheek with one hand, even though I shouldn't have taken it off the wheel. "You've got this. You're the strongest woman I know. I swear we're almost there. Just a couple more minutes."

The car in front of us slowed down, and I swerved around it, earning a loud honk from a driver I didn't care to acknowledge. Screw the rules today.

"Arya," I said firmly, glancing at her again. "Look at me."

Her eyes fluttered open, watery and unfocused.

"I'm right here," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. "You are not alone, okay? Not for one second. I've got you."

She nodded weakly. "I'm scared, Damon."

That made two of us.

But I couldn't say that. Not now.

So I did what I knew I could do — I drove like hell, parked like a madman in the emergency drop-off zone, and ran around to help her out of the car.

"I'll take him (Liam) in," a nurse called from the entrance after seeing the state Arya was in.

Liam kissed Arya's hand and whispered, "Be strong, Mama," before letting the nurse take his other hand.

I hoisted Arya into my arms — not caring if I looked crazy or dramatic — and carried her through the sliding doors.

She winced and clutched her belly again. "Another one… it's coming again…"

"It's okay. I've got you," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

A team of nurses and a doctor quickly met us with a wheelchair.

"She's in active labor," I said. "Water broke about thirty minutes ago. Contractions are coming hard and fast."

"Let's get her to Labor and Delivery," one of the nurses said, her tone all business.

I stayed glued to Arya's side, never letting go of her hand. She gripped it like a lifeline as the pain tore through her again.

"She's coming," Arya panted. "I can feel her coming, Damon—"

"Not yet," the nurse said gently, checking her watch. "Let's get you settled first. You're doing great, sweetheart."

Arya looked like she was about to collapse. Her body was shaking from the intensity, and tears streamed down her cheeks. I had never seen her like this — I'm sure not even with Liam. This baby was coming with fire.

As they wheeled her into the delivery room and helped her onto the bed, I leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"You're doing so damn well. I know it hurts. I hate that it hurts. I wish I could take it from you. But you're not alone in this."

She nodded and held onto my shirt tightly. "Don't leave."

"I wouldn't dream of it," I said.

The doctor entered, gloved up, and checked her dilation. "Eight centimeters," she announced. "She's moving fast. It's almost time."

I swallowed hard and looked at Arya.

She stared at the ceiling, breathing through another contraction, her face soaked in sweat, her brow furrowed in agony and concentration.

I kissed her knuckles. "We're almost there."

"You promise?" she whispered.

"I swear it on my life," I said. "Just a little more, and she'll be in your arms."

And as I stood beside her, heart pounding and hands shaking, I realized something.

I had never loved her more than I did in that moment — vulnerable, strong, exhausted, radiant.

She was bringing our daughter into the world.

And I was lucky enough to witness it all.

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End of Chapter 123 – Damon's POV