Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Two

Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Two
Hunter never left my side, his hand a constant anchor as contractions crashed through me with increasing force. My dad, Quinn and Maya had all been called, each all had insisted on being at the hospital even if they were not in the delivery room.
Hunter's parents had already been on a flight back from London, their flight wasn't due for a few hours. They had wanted to enjoy a holiday abroad before the babies were born. Hunter could only leave a voice message for them, Hunter let me know all this in between contractions.
Dr. Bates arrived, her calm presence immediately reassuring.
"Well, these three have decided they're ready to meet the world," she said after examining me. "You're progressing faster than even I expected. Seven centimeters already."
"Is that bad?" Hunter asked, his concern evident.
"Not bad, just quick. But we're monitoring everyone, and so far, all three babies look strong." She patted my hand. "You're doing beautifully, Grace."
The next hour blurred into a haze of pain and breathing and Hunter's voice in my ear, steady and encouraging. The contractions were nearly constant now, barely giving me time to recover between them.
"Hunter," I gasped during a brief reprieve, "I'm scared." I had wanted a natural birth; now I didn't think that was a good idea.
His eyes met mine, filled with a mixture of awe and fierce protectiveness. "You can do this, Grace. You're the strongest person I know."
"But what if—"
"No what-ifs," he said firmly. "We're going to meet our babies today. All three of them, healthy and perfect. Like you."
I nodded, clinging to his certainty when mine wavered.
Dr. Bates returned to check me, her expression shifting to one of focused determination. "You're fully dilated, Grace. It's time to start pushing."
Everything after that was a blur of sensation and sound. The room filled with medical staff, a team for each baby, Dr. Bates calmly directing. I was vaguely aware of Hunter beside me, his voice a constant in my ear, his hand never leaving mine.
"Push, Grace," Dr. Bates encouraged. "Baby A is almost here."
I gathered every ounce of strength I had, bearing down through the pain, Hunter counting steadily beside me.
"The head's out," Dr. Bates announced. "One more big push."
With a final effort that felt like it might tear me in two, I pushed.
A tiny cry filled the room, high and indignant.
"It's a boy!" Dr. Bates said, her voice warm with joy. "A perfect little boy."
I caught a glimpse of dark hair and flailing limbs before he was whisked away to be checked by the waiting pediatrician.
"James," Hunter breathed, his voice thick with emotion. "Our James is here."
I barely had time to process this miracle before another contraction seized me.
"Baby B is eager to join his brother," Dr. Bates said. "Let's get him or her out too."
It went faster this time, my body remembering what to do. Just three pushes later, our second son entered the world, his cry even louder than his brother's.
"Another perfect boy," Dr. Bates announced. "Healthy lungs on this one!"
"Benson," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "Hello, little one."
Hunter pressed his forehead to mine, his own tears mingling with mine. "You're amazing," he said hoarsely. "So amazing."
But we weren't done yet. Our daughter was still waiting.
"Baby C is in position," Dr. Bates said after a moment. "Grace, I know you're tired, but I need a few more big pushes."
I didn't think I had anything left, but somehow, from somewhere deep inside, I found the strength. With Hunter's encouragement and my own determination, I pushed through the exhaustion and pain.
"Here she comes," Dr. Bates said. "Almost there... one more push, Grace!"
With a final, monumental effort, our daughter slipped into the world. Her cry was softer than her brothers', but clear and strong.
"Your daughter," Dr. Bates said, lifting her briefly for us to see before passing her to the waiting team. "She's beautiful."
"Lily," Hunter said, his voice breaking. "Our little Lily."
The room buzzed with activity as each baby was cleaned, weighed, and checked. Hunter moved between them, touching tiny fingers, counting toes, coming back to me with tears in his eyes and updates on each perfect child.
"James is 5 pounds, 3 ounces. Benson is 5 pounds even. And little Lily is 4 pounds, 7 ounces," he reported, his face alight with wonder. "They're all perfect, Grace. All healthy."
When they finally placed James in my arms, followed by Benson in Hunter's and Lily cradled in the crook of my other arm, the world seemed to stop. Everything we'd been through, Helena's betrayal, my mother's manipulation, the scandal, the pain, all of that faded away. Nothing mattered except this moment, these three tiny miracles, and the man beside me who looked at us all like we were his entire world.
"Hello, my loves," I whispered to our babies. "We've been waiting for you."
Hunter perched carefully on the edge of the bed, Benson secure in his arms, and leaned in to press a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"I love you," he said, his eyes shining with tears. "I love all of you so much. My life isn't complete unless you are by my side."
"I love you. Oh, Hunter, I couldn't be happier. Thank you for asking me to marry you."
"It should have always been you. You are my one and only." Hunter rested his head against mine for a moment before kissing my lips. He settled on the edge of the bed.
As I looked down at our children, James with his serious expression, Benson already squirming with energy, and tiny Lily with her delicate features, I felt a completeness I'd never known before.
This was my family. My true family. Built not from obligation or manipulation, but from love and choice and truth. It was the family I had always dreamed about.
Looking at these three perfect faces and the man who had chosen me, who had fought for us, I knew with absolute certainty: Every step had led us exactly where we were meant to be. Everything we had been through all boiled down to this moment.
"Now let's get you settled into a bed, so you can rest and have a go at feeding your babies." Dr. Bates said.
I looked up to see she had tears in her eyes. "Yes," I said, agreeing.