~ JESSE ~
Maya had me sitting up in the bed, curled forward, gripping my knees. Reeca on one side, helping prop me up, a guard on the other.
My body was nothing but a conduit for pain. Wave after wave, my entire lower body condensing, contracting, pushing to get this baby out. I could barely think.
Cazz was there, so quiet, so distant, but there, calling his encouragement and pushing love at me through the bond.
There was a moment when I thought I wouldn't make it, when I thought my body would give and I would just drift away.
But then I caught Maya smiling. Leaning forward between my legs, reaching, grasping, for my baby. And I gritted my teeth, clawed fingers into my knees, prayed for strength, and I pushed.
Maya spoke again and again, Reeca murmuring, the guard unfazed. And I pushed.
The pain was my whole world, but our child was coming and Cazz was in my head, pleading and encouraging, cheering me on.