“Roger is just cleaning him up. He is safe and sound and healthy.”
“He didn’t cry,” Madison worries, and I rub her arm gently.
“Not all babies do,” Rebecca reassures as the other two people who are in here move between Rebecca and Roger. I read the room, making sure they’re not hiding anything, and I don’t think they are. All three of the professionals don’t seem tense or worried.
“Shhh, let’s get the little girl King out now, yeah? Let them do their job.” I kiss her again, rubbing little circles on her cheek.
“Girl?” Madison snaps, looking up at me from below. “I fucking kne—” She screams and Rebecca is back between her legs. Oops.
“It’s okay to push, Madison. Your baby has moved down the canal in the birthing position. Your next contraction, okay?” She’s still talking when Roger is beside us both, carrying our son in a little white wrap.
He smiles down at us but passes the baby to Madison. “If you can hold the baby to her chest, Bishop, he can rest on Madison skin to skin for a few minutes before she starts pushing again. When that happens, just take him.”
I nod, but I can’t take my eyes off the perfect baby sitting in Madison’s arms. I hook my hands beneath him for extra support and so I’m ready to take him when her next contraction hits.
I watch as all of her pain disappears and a wide smile I’ve never seen on her mouth appears, running her finger over his cheek. “You are perfect, Priest Hayes.”
“Yeaaahhh, did we agree to that?” I ask, watching as he searches for food against Madison’s chest.
“Be quiet. It’s a generational thing with your families. Hector and I already agreed.”
I roll my eyes.
“Bishop—” she groans, and I take Priest out of her arms, bringing him to mine while keeping my legs tightly pressed into her so she can use them as she needs. A vicious wail rips out of her as the girls start again. This time the OB and pediatrician come closer to Madison as Roger pulls out a sterile silver plate with a line of stitching and a single needle.
“Good girl, Madison! One more big push!” Rebecca yells, and instantly a loud cry wails out through the air just as laughter and smiles erupt around the room.
Rebecca places her right on Madison’s chest this time, covering her little body with another white wrap.
Madison smiles up at me from below. “We did it.”
I kiss her on the head. “You did it, baby.” I reach around and rub the cushion of my thumb over—“Halen.” I say her name out loud and everyone stops.
I side-eye Saint with a smirk and she chuckles softly.
“Halen…” Madison tries the name on her tongue. “Priest and Halen Hayes. Why do I feel like this is also a thing between you and Saint?”
“It is,” Saint says, peeking at Halen. “But mainly because of Van Halen, but also because her little cousin will be called Vaden.”
“Ah, I actually love that.” Tillie sighs, as she and Tate both lean against each other, swooning over the babies.
“Oh my God, is it possible for babies to look so perfect so soon after childbirth?” Tate asks, sliding closer to us.
My eyes go to Tillie, who is smiling happily at both of them, but there’s a sadness in her eyes that I knew would come.
Madison reaches for Tillie’s hand. “We love you.”
She smiles at all of us. “I know.” She looks to Saint. “And I know she’s happy.”
“Can I hop up, baby? I think these babies are hungry…”
The girls all stand, kissing Madison and the babies on their heads.
Tillie looks at us from over her shoulder. “We’ll all be downstairs or in a room to sleep. You guys enjoy this.”
When Saint stands to leave, I stop her with a hand on her arm, ignoring when the door closes behind Tate and Tillie. “Thank you.”
Saint leans over and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Forever and ever.” And she slowly leaves the same way as the girls.
Once everyone is out except us and the staff, Rebecca places her tools back onto a tray. “You just needed a few stitches internally and externally. It was expected, especially with twins, but you are healthy and so are your babies.”
I watch as the professionals start running their checks on Madison, and I slide out from beneath her, still carrying Priest.
I look down at him, reaching for the flask of whiskey and flicking off the lid. Pressing a finger to the nozzle, I tip it back and run my finger down the center of his forehead while jiggling him gently around the room. “Welcome to your Kingdom, my little King.” I press a kiss onto his head and he finally opens his eyes.
“Bring him over here, he’s probably hungry.” Madison shuffles up the bed as Rebecca directs Halen over one breast.