Mate Bond - Finished

Chapter Twenty - Labor and Delivery

Luka's POV

“Luka wake up.” Serenity whispered while shaking me awake.

“What's wrong?” I whispered back to her.

She was standing at the edge of the bed holding bottom of her belly. “I've been having contractions all night. My water just broke. Can we take a shower?”

My heart started racing realizing that my daughter would be here withing a matter of hours. “Yes, let me wake up the moms to get ready and then we can get in the shower.” I told her as I climbed out of the bed.

“No, don't wake anyone. I don't want everyone coming in and getting in my face, please.” Serenity said. I nodded in agreement, against my better judgment, and followed her to the bathroom.

She was wearing just my t shirt. I took a moment to look at her. She looked beautiful growing my child. Her bump stuck out in front of her as she braced herself on the sink and swayed. Her breaths were heavy. Labor was further along than I'd thought originally.

“How long have you been having contractions?” I asked.

“A few days really, but the bad ones only for a few hours tonight.” She said.

We undressed and I helped her get into the shower. She held on to my shoulders for support and I held her waist. She nuzzled her face into my neck while I rubbed her back. Suddenly, her knees went weak and I helped get her onto her hands and knees in the shower.

“You okay?” I asked her.

“That was a bad one.” She admitted. As soon as she got the words out, another one came. She squeezed my forearms and grunted. “Turn the shower off, she's coming now.” Serenity yelled at me.

I did as she asked and looked down to see she was right. I could just barely see the top of the baby's head. “We don't have a name.” I told her.

“I do have one picked out.” She said. Another contraction brought the baby's head completely out. I was in a panic and wanted to grab someone to help us, but I couldn't leave Serenity at this point. I knew we'd have to just roll with it from here. “Luka, you have to catch her.”

Serenity's words brought me out of my fog of thoughts and concerns. Within what felt like seconds, but was probably minutes, our daughter was born into my hands. I stared at her face and instantly fell in love with her. She looked just like Serenity and I couldn't believe the tiny being in my arms was one we created.

We were both crying when I handed the baby to Serenity. Serenity looked exhausted but shared the same expression I did. We were both so in love with our daughter and in awe of what had happened.

I grabbed towels to wrap the baby in. Serenity kept her close to her and stayed on the floor of the shower for a while. Eventually, she was ready to get into bed. We cut the baby's cord and I helped Serenity up. We wiped the baby off as much as we could and I took her to the bed to put a diaper and clothes on her. Serenity got herself dressed. I helped them settle into the bed.

“What name did you pick?” I asked her.

“Ivy. Ivy grows on the walls of the cabin we made her in. It only seems fitting.” Serenity said.

“It's beautiful.” I said.

Serenity yawned. “Little Ivy.” She cooed.

“You should let me take her downstairs while you rest. You've had plenty of time nursing her, she's full and sleepy. You should rest.” I told her.

“Our parents will be so pissed.” She said. “Just hold her while I sleep.”

“They'll be pissed about what?”

“We had our daughter without even waking them up.” She said.

“True.”

“On second thought, maybe you should take her downstairs while I rest. You get yelled at and distract them with cute baby.” Serenity said. She was smiling.

“Alright. I will.” I said.

I kissed her forehead and told her how proud I was of what she'd done. She had given me the best gift I could've asked for. I now had a family, the mate I had always dreamed of and the most beautiful daughter.