“It’s safe to say that it’s the drugs.”

The next thing Aidan knew he was being shaken awake. “Come on, sleepy head. We gotta get in the car.”

“It’s over? We didn’t crash?” Aidan asked as he rubbed his eyes.

“Nope. We’re safe and sound here at McCollum.”

The mention of the airport snapped Aidan into action. He fumbled out of his seat belt and then fell out the door Pesh had opened for him. “We’re only ten minutes from the hospital, right?”

“Yep. Last call came through shortly before we landed. Noah’s still not here, and Emma’s only dilated to seven.”

Aidan’s brows furrowed. All the pregnancy knowledge seemed to have flown out the window. “Wait, so that means…?”

“No pushing until ten. We’ve got time.”

“Thank God.”

They slid into Pesh’s waiting Jaguar. At Pesh’s lead foot, Aidan raised his brows. “Not worried about cops?”

“Being a doctor is like having a Get Out of Jail free pass. All I have to say is there’s an emergency.”

Aidan grinned. “I’m liking you more and more every minute.”

Pesh laughed. “I knew I would grow on you.”

“I’m not sure about that one.”

They pealed up to the entrance of Labor and Delivery. Aidan threw open the car door. When he went to close it, he met Pesh’s gaze. “I can never, ever thank you enough for this. I’m serious.”

“I was happy to do it. For Emma…and for you.” Pesh smiled. “Now go meet your son.”

“I will. And thanks again!” Aidan sprinted from the curb and through the mechanized sliding doors. He hopped onto the first available elevator. Once he got to the floor, he raced down the hallway to Emma’s room.

He skidded in the door. At the sight of a nurse between Emma’s legs, he had an odd feeling of Deju vu from when he brought her to the emergency room. Bending over, he propped his elbows on his knees and tried to catch his breath.

“Hello there, Big Papa! You’re just in time,” Connor said, with a grin.

“Really?” he panted.

The nurse smiled. “Yes, she’s just dilated to ten, and we’re going to start pushing.”

“Aidan, come here,” Emma said, her voice a little hoarse.

He stumbled forward to reach her side. He cupped her face in his hands before kissing her on the lips. He then kissed both her cheeks and her forehead. “I’m sorry, Em. I’m so, so sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

“It’s all right. You couldn’t help it.”

“I know but—”

Emma gave him a weak smile. “I’ll let you make it up to me some other time, okay?”

He gave a playful groan. “Ah, so this will be the ammunition you use against me for years to come, huh?”

“Maybe.”

He brushed the sweat slick strands of silky auburn hair out of her face. “Has it been bad?”

“The pain?” When he nodded, she made a face. “It was pretty horrible until the epidural kicked in.”

“The bruises on my arms will vouch for that one,” Connor quipped.

“So you’re not hurting now?”

“Nope. In fact, they have to tell me I’m having a contraction.”

Aidan glanced over his shoulder at Casey. “Guess you guys got to have all the fun without me, huh?”

Casey grinned. “From the brief glimpse you got on the phone with me, I’m not sure how you can categorize it as fun.” She shook her head. “When Em’s in pain, she’s scarier than Reagan in The Exorcist.”

Aidan laughed while Emma blushed. “Was I really that bad?”

“Yeah, but I still love you,” Casey replied. She leaned over and kissed Emma’s cheek.

The kind, middle aged nurse thrust her hand out to Aidan. “I’m Annie. I assume you’re the proud father-to-be?”

Aidan bobbed his head. “Yes, I am.”

“I’m so glad you made it in time to see your son come in to the world.”

“So am I.” His gaze went to Emma’s. “I never thought I would say this, but thank God for Pesh.”

She smiled. “We do owe him a lot.”

Aidan held up his hand. “Let’s not get carried away now.”

The door pushed open, and a female doctor not much older than Emma entered the room. She looked familiar, and Aidan remembered that he had met her once before when they were doing a Round Robin with all the OB doctors in the practice. The name on her white coat read Dr. Karen Middleton.

She smiled at them. “So Baby Noah has decided to make his entrance into the world?”

Annie nodded her head. “Yes, he has.”

Slipping on a pair of rubber gloves, she glanced between Aidan and Emma. “Then let’s get the show on the road. Shall we?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Emma drew in a deep breath. This was it. When it came down to pushing, it was the real deal.

“Okay, Emma, if you’re ready,” Annie said.

She nodded, and using her hands, she pushed herself up in the bed.

“If you don’t object, we’re going to put up a mirror, so you can watch Noah be born. Is that okay?” Annie asked.

“Sure. I want to see him.”

“Um, where can I stand to ensure I won’t be seeing Em’s vagina?” Connor asked. Emma shot him a look, and he held up his hands. “I love you, darlin’, but I’ve made it eighteen years without seeing your vajayjay, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

Annie chuckled. “Stand there behind the bed, and you won’t catch a glimpse or a reflection,” she instructed.

“Thank you so much!”

Annie then motioned at Aidan. “If you’ll take one of her legs and,” she paused to look between Casey and Connor. Immediately Connor shook his head. “Like I said, I’ll be back here in the corner.”

Casey laughed. “I would love to help.”

Aidan took Emma’s left leg while Casey took her right. “Okay, Emma, breathe normally, grab the backs of your legs, and push down while we count,” Dr. Middleton instructed.

Emma sucked in a deep breath and then started pushing as hard as she could. She barely heard Dr. Middleton and Annie counting to ten. “Good. Stop.” Emma had just caught her breath when Dr. Middleton said, “Okay, again.”

Pinching her eyes shut in concentration, she went through three more exhausting rounds when Annie exclaimed, “Open your eyes, honey. He’s crowned.”