Chapter 186 – Bonus – PUSH!

Chapter 186 – Bonus – PUSH!
Zander’s POV

We were on the 16th hole at the golf course, and Grandfather had just hit the best hit on a par 5 that I’ve ever seen, when Nathan’s phone rang.

“Hey, Kimmy,” Nathan answered. “Oh, really? Sure, I’ll let him know.”

“So, what did my lovely girlfriend have to say?” Twerkley asked.

“Oh, she didn’t call for you,” Nathan smirked. “She called for Zander.”

“Zander?” Twerkley questioned.

“Me?” I asked.

“Yes, it seems we need to go to the hospital,” Nathan grinned. “Someone is going to be a daddy.”

“What?!?” I gulped. “Isabella is in labor??”

“Her water broke,” Nathan replied. “Nina and Amelie are taking her to the hospital.”

“Oh my god, I’m going to be a father,” I said, shocked. “Shit. I’m going to be a father.” I sank to my knees on the grass of the tee off box.

Nathan and Salvatore started laughing.

Grandfather grinned, “It was scary for us all the first time.”

“I honestly thought I was going to throw up,” Salvatore chuckled.

“Me too!” Nathan snickered.

“Well, we’d better get to the hospital,” Grandfather announced. “I’ll drive the golf cart this time, Zander.”

“Ok, Grandfather,” I gulped.

It’s happening. Isabella is in labor, and we’re going to be parents. I’m so absolutely thrilled, but at the same time, nervous as hell. I guess every first-time parent goes through that. I can’t believe we’ll have two babies to hold and snuggle shortly.

We get to the clubhouse, and Nathan, Salvatore, and I head directly to Nathan’s Jaguar. The other’s promise to settle all the bills and meet us at the hospital later.

“Zander, I’m going to tell you something extremely valuable,” Salvatore advised. “If Mia Stellina is anything like her mother, do not piss her off in labor. My fingers still hurt from almost twenty-one years ago when Nina was mad at me in the delivery room.”

I laughed.

“I’m serious, Aventini women are not to be messed with,” Salvatore informed. “The only answer is yes, dear.”

“Gotcha,” I nodded. “If she’s anything like Nonna or Nina, I’m already terrified.”

“Smart man,” Salvatore chuckled.

Nathan raced through the countryside and then through New York City to get to the hospital. When we arrived at the hospital, I barely waited for Nathan to stop the car before I hopped out and ran inside. I ran straight to the front desk.

“I’m Zander Cavanaugh, my wife is pregnant,” I huffed out. “I mean, my wife is pregnant at the hospital. She’s having babies. My babies. She’s having twins. Where is she?”

Nathan and Salvatore walked up beside me. “His wife, Isabella Cavanaugh, was brought in; she’s in labor with twins,” Nathan stated. “Can you tell me where she was taken?”

“Third floor, birthing room number 317,” the receptionist stated, handing us all visitor stickers. “Congratulations, Zander, and remember to breathe!”

“Thank you,” I said, walking quickly towards the elevator.

“Zander, calm down,” Salvatore said, grabbing my arm. “First, babies usually just don’t pop out that fast, especially the first ones. Second, you need to stay calm for Isabella.”

“I just want to be with her,” I said nervously. “I need to be with her. To let her know everything will be alright.” My phone rang. Amelie.

Amelie: Where are you?

Zander: I’m standing at the elevators in the lobby.

Amelie: Thank God, your wife is already 8 cm dilated.

Zander: What?

Amelie: Just get up here.

Zander: Be right there.

I hung up the phone and looked over at Salvatore. “Isabella is already 8 cm dilated,” I announced.

“Shit!” Salvatore said, pressing the elevator button a couple of extra times.

When we end up outside the room, I let out a breath of relief, calm myself, and then push the door open.

“Izzy,” I grinned, walking over to her. I kissed her forehead and grabbed her hand, bad idea. Right then, she had a contraction, and now I have no bones left in my hand.

“Sorry, baby,” Isabella pouted, looking up at me.

“Don’t worry, bunny,” I said, smiling. “You’re birthing two humans.”

“I’m scared, baby,” Isabella said nervously. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“You can do anything, Izzy,” I stated, kissing her forehead again. “You are the strongest, most capable, and smartest woman I know. That is saying something with these two in the room.” I point to Amelie and Nina.

“Ooo, I’m having another one,” Isabella said, grimacing. I held her hand, so she was squeezing my palm this time. It was much better.

“I’m going to go get the doctor,” Nina declared. “Contractions are only a minute apart.”

“What??” Isabella said, panicking.

“Izzy, look at my eyes,” I said, turning her chin to me. “I love you, and I believe in you. I’m scared too, but I know we can do anything when we are together. We’re going to be awesome parents because of the love we have for each other.” I bent down and kissed her lips.

Dr. Williams walked in just as we were kissing. “Well, now I know how you two ended up in the maternity ward,” Dr. Williams chuckled. “Isabella, I’m just going to check you, to see where we are.”

“Thank you, Dr. Williams,” I said, holding onto Isabella’s hand.

Dr.  Williams sat on the rolling stool between Isabella’s legs and checked.

“Well, Isabella, you are fully dilated,” Dr. Williams grinned. “It’s time to have some babies.” Dr. Williams slipped into a surgical gown with the nurse's help and donned a face mask and glasses. “Just a precaution.”

“Do you want us to leave, Isabella?” Amelie asked.

“No! Don’t go,” Isabella begged. “Come stand by me.”

“We won’t leave, Mia Bella,” Nina said, rounding the bed to take Isabella’s hand. Amelie came to stand beside me.

“On your next contraction, Isabella,” Dr. Williams stated. “I want you to push. Remember your breathing.”

Isabella nodded, “It’s happening now!”

“Breathe and push, Isabella,” Dr. Williams directed.

Isabella bared down and pushed. “You’re doing such a good job, bunny,” I encouraged her. “I can’t wait to meet our babies, my love.”

“Good job, Isabella,” Dr. Williams said. “The first baby should be out in a couple more pushes.”

“Now,” Isabella said, breathing through the contraction and pushing.

“I can see the baby's head,” Dr. Williams advised. “One more big push, Isabella!”

Isabella bared down and let out a guttural roar. There it was, a loud cry. One of the best sounds I’ve ever heard, and the tears started streaming down my face.