“That’s great, Jia, you’re doing so great,” Lane praised. “Keep on like this and push the next time you feel a contraction. We’re all right here, okay? You’re not alone in this.”
Daniel’s hands were busy holding my legs and I looked around desperately for something to hold onto while Noelle pressed a cold towel to my forehead. Alex must have noticed my distress as he offered me his own hand. I didn’t have to think before clasping my palm around Alex’s, squeezing hard through the next contraction.
“Jesus, you’ve got a grip on you,” Alex winced, squeezing my hand back to give me something to put pressure on.
I ignored him in favor of panting through a break in my contractions, drawing in air desperately. I felt Daniel’s reassuring kiss against the back of my neck but he spoke no words, cl
