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“Nay,” William said flatly, meeting his wife’s gaze. “I will bring my daughter into the world.”
Paris had no time for arguing. “I am more experienced. Move aside.”
William shot him a glare. “I will not. You may help, if you wish, but I will….”
Jordan screamed, bringing up her knees and grunting with the effort of pushing. “It’s coming! I can feel it!”
The men’s heads snapped to her, with Paris moving around to see better as William pushed her legs apart a bit more.
“I see it, love,” he was suddenly joyful, gleeful. To actually see the babe quelled most of his fears and returned him to the confident man he was. “She is almost here, Jordan. Push with your next pain, as hard as you can.”
Paris moved away, going to make sure he had water and some kind of clean swaddling ready, finding a dagger to sever the cord.
The next pain was immediately after the previous one and Jordan bore down, biting her lip so hard that she drew blood. William rubbed her shaking thighs and hips, constantly amazed she was able to bear this kind of pain so well. If he could have taken it upon himself, he would have.
“It’s a son!” she panted as the pain subsided a bit.
He grinned, watching the baby’s head crown. “A daughter.”
The next pain came and she pushed, Paris helping her by sitting behind her and supporting her back. “A son!”
The baby’s head was through and William turned the child slightly, his breathing coming fast and excited. He was completely focused on his child, his wife.
“Hello, Catherine,” he murmured.
She pushed so hard with the next pain that the babe nearly came the entire length out and William laughed, knowing she was focusing her irritation on him into her efforts.
“Dunna call my son Catherine,” she snapped, breathing heavily. “Oh, English, this hurts. I dunna want to do this anymore.”
He smiled sympathetically, patting her thigh. “Almost done, love. Almost done.”
Paris shook his head, his gentle hand on Jordan’s forehead. “You two are a pair,” he said. “This woman is birthing a child and you continue to harass her.”
William opened his mouth to speak but another contraction came and Jordan cried out with the effort, one last time. She felt the great rush of relief as the child slipped free and into her husband’s waiting hands.
Panting and smiling, she tried to lift her head to see her babe. “Well?” she demanded breathlessly. “How is he?”
William was busy and Paris left Jordan to go and assist him. A couple of seconds later she heard a lusty little cry and she crowed with relief. She was far too weak to sit up, but she was trying desperately to see her child, tucked between the two knights.
Paris cut the cord and William held up the babe for her to see. Happy, emotional tears brimmed.
“Your son is fine,” his voice was hoarse. “Look at him, Jordan. He’s huge.”
She gave a sort of triumphant shout and fell back onto the pillows, relieved and exhausted. William handed his wailing son over to his friend and moved to embrace his wife. He found that he was shaking as much as she was.
Jordan brought her arms up and wound them around his neck. Together they giggled almost hysterically, their relief evident in that they thought this moment might never come. The little boy being tended by his father’s friend had been through a lifetime of worry before he had even been born.
“He is beautiful, Jordan,” William kissed her over and over. “Just like his mother.”
She was crying more now, the jubilation wearing off and being replaced by sheer relief. His kisses were more tender, more reverent, as he stroked her damp hair.
“I love ye, English,” she whispered. “Bloody hell, I am tired.”
“I have no doubt,” Paris said as he swaddled the babe as well as any midwife. “This child is as big as any I have ever seen.”
William and Jordan looked over as Paris brought their son over to them. William propped her up on some pillows as she accepted the dark-haired boy, cooing sweetly to him and admiring his size.
Paris, meanwhile, carefully delivered the afterbirth and wrapped it up for burial. When he was finished, he moved quietly for the door to allow the parents’ time alone with their new son when Byron suddenly came bursting in, faster than anyone could ever remember seeing him move.
