CHAPTER 72

CHAPTER 72
Dan’s POV

I couldn’t stop watching her; we had been at it for hours. It’s now 4 am, and my wife hasn’t rested for more than an hour.

Emily lay in our bed, sweat-damp hair clinging to her forehead, breaths shallow between contractions. 

The room smelled of blood, lavender, and fear. My mother moved with the calm efficiency of someone who’d delivered dozens of babies, but I saw the tightness around her eyes. She is only seven months pregnant, and the baby is breech. There are too many things that could go wrong.

I knelt beside Emily, her hand strongly intertwined in mine. Every time a contraction hit, she made this sound like half groan, half sob that tore straight through my chest. 

I would’ve taken the pain for her if I could. I’d have dug another grave tonight if it meant she didn’t have to suffer like this.

“You’re doing so good, baby,” I whispered, pressing my lips to her knuckles. My voice sounded steadier than I felt. “I’m right here with you.”

Her eyes fluttered open, glassy with exhaustion. “Dan… if something happens—”

“Nothing is going to happen to you or the baby.” The words came out fierce. I brushed damp strands from her face, trying to pour every ounce of love into my touch.

“You and our son are staying right here with me. You hear me, Emily? I need you both.”

A weak smile touched her lips before another contraction ripped through her. 

She arched, nails digging into my skin. I held her through it, murmuring promises I didn’t know if I could keep, but I meant every one of those promises.

“Heart rate’s dipping,” my mother said sharply. “Dan, help me turn her. Luca, more light.”

Luca moved instantly, adjusting the lamp. The man has been awake all night, and he has been the best friend.

He has officially earned my trust and respect even after the mess we’d left in the forest. I owed him more than I could ever repay.

I slid my arm under Emily’s back, supporting her as we shifted positions. She was trembling. So small suddenly, despite carrying our child. I pressed my forehead to hers.

“I love you,” I said, voice cracking. “God, Emily, I love you so much it hurts. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known. You fought for us when I didn’t deserve it. Now fight for him, for our family.”

Tears slipped down her temples. “I’m scared, Dan.”

“I know, but there’s no one who can do this more than you baby.” I kissed her damp forehead, her eyelids, the tip of her nose. “I’ve got you, always.”

The next hour blurred into a storm of pain and urgency. Emily pushed when my mother told her to, her screams echoing off the walls.

I held her, wiped her face, fed her ice chips, and prayed to a God I wasn’t sure I believed in anymore. Every dip in the baby’s heart rate sent ice through my veins. 

Twice my mother nearly ordered us to the hospital. Emily begged to stay, and I respected her choice even while it terrified me.

I climbed onto the bed behind her, letting her lean back against my chest. My arms wrapped around her, hands splayed over her belly. I could feel our son moving strongly, stubbornly, just like his mother.

“Come on, little man,” I whispered against her hair. “We’re all waiting for you. Your mom’s the bravest woman alive. She needs you to be brave too.”

Emily’s hand covered mine. For a moment, the three of us existed in this small, fierce bubble. No secrets, no blood on our hands except the kind that brings life.

“Full dilation,” my mother announced, as she stood in front of Emily fixing her gloves. “This is it. I need you to slowly push, breathe in, and out if it gets too hard.” Then the final wave hit.

Emily groaned in pain as she followed my mother’s instructions. Seeing the amount of pain she is going through makes me curse at myself for getting her pregnant.

I held her tighter, bracing her as she bore down with everything she had left. Sweat poured off both of us. 

Luca stood ready with towels, his face pale but steady. My mother’s voice cut through the chaos with calm commands.

“He’s turning, come on, baby…” Emily’s body went rigid. Her grip on my hand was iron. I whispered into her ear, voice hoarse, “You’ve got this. I’m so proud of you. I love you. I love you so damn much.”

One final push, and then a cry followed, frustrated and angry. The most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.

My mother lifted a tiny, writhing body. “It’s a boy,” she said, voice. “He’s small, but he’s breathing.” Everything stopped, time slowed down. I have a son, our son.

They placed him on Emily’s chest. She sobbed, arms wrapping around him instantly, protective even in her exhaustion. 

He was so small barely five pounds his skin mottled, fists waving, mouth open in a furious wail. But his color was good. His cry grew stronger by the second.

I couldn’t breathe. I reached out with shaking fingers and touched his back, feeling the rapid flutter of his heartbeat. 

“Hey, little warrior,” I choked out. Tears blurred my vision. I didn’t care. “You scared the hell out of us.”

Emily looked up at me, radiant despite everything. “Dan…”

I kissed her deep, desperate, pouring every fractured piece of my soul into it. When I pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers, our son nestled between us.

“You did it,” I whispered. “You gave us a son. God, Emily. I don’t deserve either of you.”

She smiled weakly. “You’re stuck with us now.” I laughed through the tears. It sounded broken and whole at the same time.

My mother worked quickly, checking Emily, stemming the bleeding, and making sure everything was as it should be. 

She glanced at me once, and for the first time in years, I saw something like pride in her eyes.

“He’ll need the NICU soon,” she said gently. “Just for observation. He’s early. But he’s a fighter.” I nodded, unable to look away from my family.

Luca stepped closer, eyes suspiciously bright. He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “He’s perfect, man.”

“He is,” I agreed, voice raw. I stroked my son’s tiny head, marveling at the damp curls there. Dark like mine. “What name are we giving him? I was thinking Sigurd, meaning warrior.”

Emily nodded, tears streaming. “Sigurd.”

I stayed right there, holding them both while my mother and Luca handled the immediate aftermath. 

The world outside, the secrets we still carried felt miles away. For now, none of it mattered.

“Dan, your eyes.” My mom exclaimed looking at me with a worried look etched on her face. I stared back at her confused.

“They’re dark.” I laughed in confusion, I stared down at Emily hoping she could enlighten me but she was fast asleep. I looked back at Mom, Luca had left the room.

I gently gave her the baby as she wrapped him in a blanket after cleaning him up. “What do you mean?” I asked confused because I have blue eyes how could I have dark eyes now?

“Go to the mirror.” Mom said as she tried to wake Emily up. “No, don’t wake her up she has been through enough.”

“The baby needs to be breastfed.” I got annoyed more by the back and forth. “He will be formula-fed, don’t wake her up.”I could feel my body heating up from being angry, and I assumed it was due to the lack of sleep.

Mom nodded and I quickly walked away to take a shower to get myself to calm down. I turned to the mirror and stared in shock at my black pupils staring back at me.