Chapter 81

Emma suddenly arches her back and groans like a wild animal, and Jake reaches out to Arrick’s dumped pile of towels and grabs a few, pulling them back between her legs on the floor and creating a nest of absorbency. Intent on what he’s doing, oblivious to our presence, not that either of us is worth anything right now.

“Push, baby… the head right here. Just a little push, and we get this one out. Fastest birth ever, Bambino.” Emma makes a horrible grunty, groany, almost scream-like noise that has me screwing up my face in complete traumatization, mentally telling myself that I never want to do this. It’s awful.

I only become aware of Arrick’s arm around my back when his breath hits my cheek. I realize we’re both cuddled close and watching the same thing, but he, too, seems freaked out now that I am not focusing on him to keep me sane. The little germaphobe inside of him isn’t too hot on this.

Arrick, with an expression of utter horror and all ounces of facial contr