Ghostwalker 09 - Ruthless Game

pressure.”
    “He wants out,” Kane said, keeping his voice very calm. Inside he felt every muscle tighten up, but he refused to panic. Rose needed him, and if he never had the chance to do another thing for her, he would do this.
    He pul ed the two chairs he had brought into the room for her to set her feet on. He wanted as much gravity as possible to help. “I know it’s uncomfortable to move, sweetheart, but this wil help deliver him faster and make it easier for you to push.”
    She clutched at his sleeve as he moved her into position, her eyes frightened. “I can feel her coming.” Her terrified eyes met his. “Kane.”
    Just his name. That whisper. Her voice said it al . Complete trust, and how the hel had he earned that from her? Fear. Overwhelming when she’d faced down a monster like Whitney and another like Carlson.
    Kane didn’t know how either of them got through the next twenty minutes. He would tel her to push, and she would bear down and try to direct her breathing down as the books had told her, but he was a little worried with the amount of blood and fluids. He should have expected it, but it was stil frightening to know there was no doctor available if something went wrong.
    His heart began to pound in awe as the baby’s head appeared, a thick thatch of blue black hair like his mother’s.
    “I see him, Rose. He’s covered in hair.” The head disappeared again, and he waited while Rose panted. One quick flick of his eyes and he could tel she was exhausted, but he knew her now, knew she wouldn’t stop until their child was safe.
    He felt pride in her, enormous respect, but most of al , a growing love he couldn’t stop. It didn’t matter that she didn’t feel the same way about him; this experience together changed his life forever.
    “She’s coming,” Rose said.
    “You can do this, sweetheart. Let’s get him out.”
    He felt a little like a catcher at a bal game, reaching to help ease the smal head out of the tight opening. “Wait, honey. Let me clean his mouth and nose.”
    She panted, straining silently until he nodded, and with one more push, the baby slipped into his waiting hands. His heart stood stil . Tears burned in his eyes and throat. “We have a son, Rose.” Damn, he was smal . He practical y fit in his hand, but he had al the right parts, and if his lungs were anything to go by, he was healthy. His little fingers curled into fists and he scrunched up his face at the indignity of being brought out into the cool air.
    “Is she okay?” Rose asked, her voice portraying her anxiety.
    “Look, honey,” Kane held the baby up for her to see. “I was right al along. We’ve got a son.” He placed the baby gently on her stomach. “Do you have him?” He hated to let go, but he had to deal with the cord and placenta.
    Rose’s hands settled around the baby as Kane clamped off the cord and then, taking a quick breath and sending up a silent prayer, cut the lifeline between mother and child. He waited for the next contraction to help Rose push the placenta out. She was bleeding quite a bit, enough to worry him. He didn’t know what was normal and what wasn’t. She hadn’t torn. The baby was smal .
    He cleaned the baby as best he could and wrapped him tightly in a warm blanket. Rose had brought baby clothes, diapers, and blankets. Once again, he couldn’t help but be thankful for the way she had prepared for the birth. Rose was obviously exhausted, but she took the baby readily and held him while he washed her careful y, trying to be as sterile as possible, and replaced the plastic-backed sheet with a clean one. He added one of the large pads that had come with the birthing kit, before pul ing up the covers over her shivering body.
    “He’s so little, Kane.” Rose sounded awed.
    “Are you crying?” He felt a little like crying himself every time he looked at the two of them. His Rose. His child. The baby looked so right in her arms.
    Rose reached out and tracked down his face with gentle fingers, a smal , enigmatic smile on her soft mouth. Her fingertips traced the path of tears he hadn’t even realized were on his face. He was completely overwhelmed with the sheer wonderment of the moment. Creating an actual life from their bodies seemed too big a miracle to him, now that he actual y saw the evidence of their union.
    Rose smiled at him, brushing away her own tears. “I’m very happy,” she murmured. “I was worried. He’s early, and yet he looks so