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"You're doing just fine, baby."
Amy tried to control her breathing so as to not hyperventilate as Adam spoke so sweetly and encouragingly to her. They were in the birthing room at the hospital, and she was propped up in a bed, struggling to give birth to their second child.
Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead. She couldn't believe how relatively easy it had been giving birth to Mandy. In contrast, this baby was definitely a bit larger than her sweet daughter had been, though the labor was shorter. She actually had fears that something ominous was going to happen... The least of those was that she would have to have a Caesarian section. The worst case scenario that kept playing out in her head and utterly terrified her was that she would give birth and the baby would be stillborn. That would be a nightmare for both of them.
She knew she had to get hold of herself and stop freaking herself out, especially at a time like this, when she should remain calm. Besides, her fears were completly irrational, as she'd been feeling the baby kick and move around like crazy inside of her.
"Amy," the doctor spoke softly, "you're going to have to give another push. This baby really wants to come out and meet his or her parents!"
The exhausted redhead shifted her hazel eyes up, meeting the green of the man she loved. He gave her a smile and squeezed her hand encouragingly.
She obliged and pushed again, the pain tearing through her. She cried out at the intensity of it, unable to remember it hurting anywhere near as much when she'd had Amanda. Then again, it had been seven years since she'd given birth to her... Yet, at the same time, she felt as though she would never forget the way that had felt.
"Very good... I see the head." The physician looked up to meet her eyes and then those of her husband and smiled.
Adam couldn't help the small smile that touched his own lips. He knew this was extremely difficult for Amy, but at the same time, this was a wonderful, amazing experience for him. In probably only minutes, their new child would be here, ready for all the love and care with which they would shower her or him.
The redhead let out a slightly mewling cry as another bout of pain gripped her. She wanted - *needed* - to push again.
"Another push, Amy."
She was relieved that the obstetrician had apparently read her mind. She took a deep breath and went for it again. All the while, Adam was right there with her, holding her hand and loving stroking her brow. Still more pain shot through the redhead's body as she pushed with all her might. Damn it, she needed this baby out of her. She might have been five days early from her due date, but it was unmistakably time.
"Okay, you're doing great," the female doctor assured her. "I'm going to help you along now... Just one more push that will help me to help you!"
Amy raised her gaze to Adam's, her expressing untelling to him. She looked a combination of things - exhausted, worried, anxious, excited. The tall blond man had no word to describe the mixture of emotions. He leaned down again to press a soft, quick kiss on her sweaty temple.
"I'm here, baby."
She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as she gave one final push. Stars shot from under her closed lids, and she felt the OB-GYN's hands reach inside of her, pulling at the baby as she pushed. And jeez... How much did this infant weigh?
Adam's green eyes were wide with amazement as the baby finally slipped completely out and the doctor held it in her arms.
"Oh, my God," he breathed. He'd gained a whole new appreciation for what women went through.
Amy's eyes were still closed, her breathing still somewhat fast. And then, she heard the crying - the baby's first cry.
"Congratulations - you have a beautiful, healthy baby boy!" the doctor exclaimed.
The blond Canadian laughed softly, happy. They had a son! He gazed down at his wife, her eyes opening slowly as she sought the child. Adam's heart nearly melted as the soft smile crossed her face.
"He weighs in at eleven pounds, five ounces."
"Wow, he's bigger than I was when I was born," Adam quipped. No wonder the redhead had had such a hard time.
Moments later, the baby was placed in the arms of his mother. Amy gazed at the little boy, whose crying suddenly ceased, and her eyes grew all misty. Adam was kneeling at the side of the bed, a bright smile on his face as he looked at their son.
"Ames... My god, he's beautiful!" He reached out and gently held one of the tiny hands. The baby gripped his pinky and drifted off to sleep.
"You know, this little guy needs a name," Amy said, her eyes still shining brightly with unshed tears as she looked up to meet Adam's happy green orbs. They'd talked about names, of course, but hadn't ever agreed on anything since they hadn't known the sex.
"Yeah, he does," the blond man agreed, glancing fondly at their son before shifting his gaze back to her.
Amy smiled as she gazed up at her husband.
"Here, take him," she said softly. "Hold your son."
The tall blond man was speechless with emotion as he leaned over to meet her halfway as she handed the baby to him. Very gingerly, his breath held, he accepted the sleeping infant and cradled him in his arms. His eyes filled with tears.
The redhead felt the sharp, sweet pangs of love in her heart as she watched father and son. It was so beautiful, it took her breath away.
"We never did decide on a definite name," she suddenly said, returning to the topic at hand.
"I know," Adam said in a soft voice so as to not awaken the baby. A smile crossed his face. "Let's let Mandy name him."
The exhausted redhead gave him an odd look.
"Are you serious? Are you sure you want to give the responsibility of naming a baby to a seven-year-old?"
The tall blond man grinned. He looked lovingly from his son to his wife as he replied.
"Sure, why not? Mandy is a bright kid. I'm sure she'll come up with something good... If not, we'll change it." He winked, and Amy laughed.
"All right, you're on."