Braelyn’s POV

Months later...

It was the start of winter in mid-November, and the snow was falling softly over the yard outside. My eyes were closed and I was trying to get a good position to sleep which was proving to be impossible when you are heavily pregnant.

Fine beads of sweat formed on my forehead despite the weather being moderately warm and that’s when it hit me. A sharp pain twisted in my stomach. My eyes shot open and my chest felt stuffy.

My hand reached for the side of the bed but it was empty. "Lucien.." I croaked, my voice was dry and raspy. He wasn’t in bed. I tried to sit up but when you are already 10 months and meant to deliver any day, it was a strong challenge.

"Lucien.." I called out again. He wasn’t in the room. He must be in the study, his side of the bed was cold to the touch. I managed to push myself up and swing my legs to the side.

My stomach was heavy, I was carrying twins although Lucien refused to know the gender but I had a good feeling they were boys. After a lot of struggle I managed to stand up ignoring the pain, I felt something roll down my legs

My water had broken for real, it wasn’t fake. I was so excited that I completely forgot I could call Lucien with my phone, I wanted to see him in person.

For a moment I almost forgot about the contraction pains until another one struck me knocking out the air from my lungs. I gasped, carrying my heavy stomach then slowly dragged my legs from the bedroom down the corridor.

It was the hardest walk I had taken in my life. I eventually reached his study door and pushed it open. Lucien was completely buried in work still wearing his pyjamas. His profile even looked more handsome from this angle.

I felt like smacking myself, I was in labour and was admiring my husband’s face, which I had seen a million times. I gathered every strength in me. "The baby is coming. " I screamed and his head snapped up. He stumbled on his feet and was already rushing my way.

"The baby is coming.." he gasped, his eyes filled with so much emotion, excitement, panic, and fear. His hand hung over me and this smart man looked completely helpless

He was the same person who accompanied him to every doctor’s appointment. He cancelled foreign trips and handled them remotely so that he could monitor my pregnancy. Every morning he personally brews soup for me and now the very moment he had been waiting for arrived he froze.

Men could be helpless at times. I pinched his hand, snapping him from his confused state. "Go get the maternity bag, call the driver and grab your phone before I give birth in your study..." I snapped.

He nodded, "I will be right back. " He rushed to his desk to grab his phone from the desk and bolted for the bedroom. The maternity bag was already arranged ahead of time so it didn’t take time for Lucien to grab everything including an extra coat for me

"I already called the doctor." He informed me. His arms wrapped around gently scared he would hurt me. My contractions were still far apart so the pain was a bit bearable.

Lucien patiently helped me down the corridor until I almost stumbled when another contraction hit. At that moment he seemed to remember he could carry me and swept me into his arms.

Although his eyes were frantic his hands were steady and he walked carefully not to put me at any risk. He rushed down the stairs then through the foyer outside

It was snowing outside. The driver was already waiting. The snow crunched under his feet as he rushed forward. The driver pulled open the car door and Lucien helped me inside.

As soon as the car started moving he got on a call with the hospital while he held my hand. I gritted my teeth and bore the pain. I didn’t cry, he could still see I was in pain.

He rubbed my hand and spoke in a soothing tone. "You can do this Lynn..let’s start breathing. The doctors said it would help." He urged

I nodded and followed his instructions hoping it would distract me. "Deep breath in.." I drew in a breath.

"Then out." He urged. I released the breath. I followed his instructions and shockingly it helped.

The pain was still there but I survived. By the time we got to the hospital, the contraction had gotten worse. "Come on Lynn, you can do this." He urged, helping out of the car still in his black pyjamas. At this moment he didn’t care about appearance. His eyes were filled with concern for me.

The medical team rushed forward with a wheelchair, but before they could take over, Lucien carried me inside himself. Once I was changed into a hospital gown and settled on the bed, the real pain began.

Labour was brutal. Wave after wave of contractions crashed through me. Lucien never left my side, holding my hand through every single one, whispering encouragement even when I squeezed his fingers hard enough to hurt.

An hour later, the pressure changed. It felt different, I could feel it. One moment I was breathing, the next it hit again, harder this time, like my body was being split in half. I gripped Lucien’s hand, my nails digging into his skin as I tried to ride through it.

"I cannot... I cannot..." I gasped, my voice breaking.

"You can," Lucien said immediately, his grip tightening around mine. His voice was firm, but I could hear it underneath. Fear. "Look at me, Lynn. Breathe."

I shook my head, my body tensing on its own. "There is pressure... something is wrong..." Then the realisation hit me. "The baby is coming!" I screamed, gripping his hand tightly.

A nurse passing by paused, glancing at the monitor. "It is too early for that. You are not fully dilated yet, just try to..."

"I can feel the head," I snapped, tears streaming down my face. "Check me now!"

Lucien’s voice cut through the room, cold and commanding. "Check her. Right now."

The nurse hesitated for half a second before moving. "Alright, let me just..." She froze the moment she checked. Her expression changed instantly. "Oh my.." she pulled back slightly, eyes wide. "The head is already crowning. She’s fully dilated!"

Another contraction hit before I could even process it. This time, my body did not wait for instructions. I cried out, my grip crushing Lucien’s hand as the urge to push took over completely. "I cannot stop it," I gasped.

"It is okay," Lucien said, stepping closer, his voice steadier now. Something in him had clicked into place. "Do not fight it. When it comes, push, trust me. I have done this before." he assured me. His medical training is finally kicking in.

Chaos erupted. They tried to rush me to the OR, but there was no time.

"I have to push!" I cried. My words broke into a cry as the pressure built again..

"Push, Lynn, just breathe and push," he said, right there in front of me, his hand still holding mine. "I am right here.".

My entire body strained as the pain peaked. It felt endless, like it would never stop

Then suddenly a wave of relief hit me. A sharp cry filled the room and for a second, everything went quiet in my head. "The baby is out," the nurse said, sounding almost stunned. "Call the doctor, now." the nurse screamed

I barely had time to breathe before another wave crashed into me, stronger than the first. Lucien’s hand tightened again. "There is another one," he said, his voice urgent despite the tremble in it.

"I know," I snapped weakly, already shaking. "I can feel it..." The pain was hitting. The second one was clearly impatient already struggling to get out

The staff rushed in properly this time, voices overlapping as they prepared around me. "We need to move her..." the doctor suggested.

"There is no time, cut the cord," Lucien cut in again. "The second baby is coming. She is having it here." he barked. As if on cue another contraction hit, stealing the air from my lungs.

"Lucien!!" I screamed, crushing his hand in my grip.

"Lynn, I am here," he said, bringing my focus back to him. "One more. Just one more, you can do this."

I nodded, tears were slipping from the corners of my eyes as I gathered what little strength I had left "Push," he urged. I gathered my strength and pushed. It felt like forever but maybe I was a lucky mother because in just minutes another cry filled the room, louder this time, stronger.

For a moment, I just lay there, my chest rising and falling as everything finally slowed. Two cries echoed around me.

Lucien did not let go of my hand. He brought it to his mouth and placed a kiss on it.."Thank you Viper." He said in a hoarse voice. I felt his tears drip on me.