Chapter 154 CHAPTER 154

Chapter 154 CHAPTER 154


ROBIN

“Oh, God… it’s so fucking hard.” My laboured breaths echoed through the entire room as I clung to Jack’s hand.

“Robin!” Mum exclaimed, barging in and racing to the other side of the bed, taking my free hand. “Oh, my darling, girl.”

“Mummy,” I cried, “It hurts so bad.”

“You can do it, baby.”

“Robin, you have to push. Now,” Dr Ransford instructed, adjusting my legs to give himself a better view.

I took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut before tightening every muscle in my body, straining to force the baby out.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!” I yelled, whimpering.

“You’re doing brilliantly. Another push. Come on.”

“FUCCCKKKKKKKK!”

I growled through gritted teeth, biting down on my lower lip, tears running down my cheeks.

“Very good, Robin. The head’s out, one more big push.”

I obeyed, using every ounce of strength I could muster from within, and it wasn’t much.

Then—

A loud new born cry pierced the room, shooting me back to life before the nurse clamped and cut the umbilical cord, the tears blurring vision.

Jack crossed the room, carefully accepting the tiny bundle from the nurse before carrying him to me.

It was a boy. My baby boy.

He looked so… perfect.

Jack’s eyes shimmered with tears, gazing down at our son before the Dr gently reminded him the delivery wasn’t over.

Reluctantly, Jack handed our little boy back to the nurse. Reality came crushing down again, remembering, I was only a third of the way there.

“You’re doing incredibly well,” Dr Ransford encouraged. “Two more babies. Give me your biggest push yet. You can do it.”

I panted for several minutes, desperately trying to gather enough strength or siphoning some from Jack and Mum as they whispered words of encouragement. Squeezing my entire body tight, I bore down again, pushing with a loud wail.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” I heard Jack whisper, his faint voice streaming in my head.

Ransford tabbed my leg. “One more.”

The next push drained everything from me, every muscle screaming in protest as I bore down with every minuscule energy I could locate in my body until another sharp baby cry filled the room.

A second baby.

My girl.

I slumped against the bed, trembling with exhaustion—too weak, too tired to continue.

But I wasn’t about to give up.

Jack leaned over me, wiping the sweat from my forehead and pressing gentle kisses across my temple, cheeks and forehead.

“One more, baby.” He whispered, panic coating his words. “Please don’t give up now.” He kissed my lips, helping me sit a little straighter to complete the task.

At that point, I didn’t know where I was supposed to discover a stream of strength to tap into.

My body was giving up on me.

“Baby!” Jack roared, stroking my cheeks repeatedly to jog me from closing my eyes while Mum sobbed quietly beside me.

“Ransford do something!”

“She needs a moment. Give her a few second to recover.”

Jack’s lips were on me in records time, trailing soft kisses across my face. Then very slowly, I forced my eyes open, even as wave after wave of excruciating pain tore through my body.

“You promised you wouldn’t leave me, Robin.” His tears dripped freely down, splashing onto mine.

“Don’t you fucking dare leave me…else I’m coming with you.”

A weak smile tugged at my lips, slowly reaching across his face with a trembling hand, stroking his tears away.

“I’m not going anywhere, baby.” I whispered as hoarsely as my faint voice could manage.

Heaving myself, I leaned forward and kissed him. Then, like being injected with a brand new energy, I drew several ragged breaths, gripping Jack’s and Lindsey’s hands before bracing myself for another treacherous squeeze.

I was back.

“GOODDDDDDDDDD!!!” I squeezed with all my might, my face feeling like it was about to explode by the sheer force.

“Good! The head’s out. One more strong push, Robin. You’re almost there.”

I nodded weakly for several seconds in response to Ransford. Taking a deep breath, I filled my lungs one final time, tightening my grip around my family’s fingers before I expelled a resounding lingering boom, cinching myself tightly until the relief cry reverberated in the room.

I did it.

I let out a shaky laugh, breathing out of control before I collapsed onto the bed, utterly spent.

Jack’s arm immediately surrounded me, pulling me to his chest and spreading kisses to the top of my head.

“You did it, baby.” He giggled through tears, drawing me away gently and kissing my sweat drenched face. “You fucking did it.” I smiled, softly parting my lips to return his kiss.

God…I loved this man.

“Oh, no!” A shout filled the room from the doorway and I jerked my head. “We missed it?” Lana groaned, rushing to my side and wrapping me in an embrace.

I laughed, my heart feeling fuller than I ever thought possible.

“What the hell are you doing here.” I rebuked, shooting a big grin at Mike.

“Mum called.” Her gaze flickered to Lindsey who had baby number three pressed sweetly against her chest.

“I wasn’t missing this for the world, sister.” My eyes drenched with fresh scalding tears.

“But your honeymoon—”

“Sex can wait. Besides we’ve had plenty already.” The room erupted into a hysteric laughter.

“Ew, Lana. We didn’t need to know that.” She kissed my cheek, waving me off.

“I’m just saying. Now where’s the big boy?” Lana was out from the bed, wandering over to the bassinets and picking up baby number one into her arms while Jack had baby number two nestled against his gigantic chest.

“Oh God… he’s so beautiful.” Lana swooned, softly rocking him.

The room slowly grew silent, and for several peaceful minutes, nobody spoke.  Everyone was completely engrossed by the babies.

I simply watched, my eyes roaming around the room feeling the happiest I’d ever been.

The people I loved most in the world… together.

All in one room.

“What are you going to name him?” Lana asked, looking to Jack, then at me.

Baby names were something Jack and I had never given any thought about or discussed. Yet in a heartbeat, I knew the perfect names for my babies and I was sure Jack was going to love them.

“Jake.” My fingers intertwined with Jack’s, gazing proudly at Lana. “Jake Betton-McCullen.”

Jack’s eyes softened, water glistening in his eyes.

“Are you sure, baby?” I nodded. I’d never been surer about anything.

“One hundred percent. I want him named after your twin brother.”

Without a word, Jack carefully slipped baby number two into Mike’s waiting arms before gathering me into the gentlest hug he could manage, covering my whole face with soft kisses.

“Ouch.” I laughed, instantly loosening his hold.

“Sorry.” He whispered, slowing his kisses across my face.

“ROBIN!” A loud tiny voice speared through the air. Margaret’s little figure wriggling free from Cathy’s grasp and hurtling towards me.

“Margaret, slow down!” Cathy called after her, but it landed on deaf ears.

She launched herself into my bosom, her tiny arms crossing around my neck.

Now…

Everyone I loved was here, under one roof.

“What are their names?” Maggie asked, giddy with excitement and joy.

“Jake…Elaine… and Jessica Betton-McCullen.” I turned my head sharply towards Jack, surprise washing over my tired features.

“I’m sure, Robin.” he said softly. My eyes filling with tears of joy, feeling an overwhelming emotion.

“Don’t you like the names?” Maggie asked, looking at me with worried eyes.

I smiled, stroking her cheek. “Oh, sweetheart… I love them.”

A treacherous sob tore down my throat. “They’re way too perfect.”

My eyes met Jack’s once more, and somehow…

I loved this man even more than I did yesterday.