The hospital room buzzed with a flurry of activity as nurses moved swiftly to prepare Avery for delivery. Ryan stood beside her, his hand clasped tightly in hers, his face a mix of excitement and sheer terror.
“Aves, you’re crushing my hand,” he said, wincing slightly.
“You think this hurts?” Avery snapped, her voice sharp from the contraction. “Wait until I’m done with you, Ryan Hayes.”
Janice, who had snuck into the delivery room against hospital rules, leaned against the wall with a cheeky grin. “Don’t worry, Ryan. You’ll live. Probably.”
“Not helping, Jan!” Ryan shot back, though his lips twitched with a nervous smile.
Dr. Patel walked in, all calm professionalism, clipboard in hand. She glanced at Avery with a reassuring smile.
“Well, Ms. Deveraux, it looks like you’re almost fully dilated,” she announced. “This baby is ready to make his grand entrance.”
Avery groaned. “I don’t feel ready. Can someone pause this and let me catch my breath?”
Dr. Patel chuckled. “Afraid not. But you’re doing great. Just a little longer, and you’ll be holding your baby boy.”
Ryan’s grip on Avery’s hand tightened. “You hear that, Aves? We’re so close. You’ve got this.”
Avery glared at him. “If you tell me to ‘breathe’ one more time, I swear—”
Janice snorted from the corner. “Ryan, I think you should just stop talking altogether. It’s safer.”
The next half hour was a whirlwind of instructions, encouragement, and Avery’s increasingly colorful language.
“Okay, Avery,” Dr. Patel said, her tone firm but supportive. “One more big push, and we’ll meet your little boy.”
“I can’t!” Avery cried, tears streaming down her face.
“You can,” Ryan said, his voice steady despite the chaos. “You’re the strongest person I know. You’ve got this, Aves.”
Avery looked into his eyes, finding the strength she needed. Gritting her teeth, she pushed with everything she had.
Suddenly, the room was filled with the sound of a baby’s first cry.
“You did it!” Dr. Patel said, holding up a squirming, pink-faced baby. “Congratulations! He’s perfect.”
Avery’s tears turned into sobs as the nurse placed the baby on her chest. The tiny bundle squirmed, his cries softening as he nestled against her warmth.
“Hi, little guy,” Avery whispered, her voice trembling. “I’m your mommy.”
Ryan leaned over, his hand gently brushing the baby’s soft head. “And I’m your dad,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Wow, Aves. Look at him. He’s… perfect.”
Janice, standing off to the side, wiped away a tear. “Okay, I’m officially crying. This is ridiculous. I’m supposed to be the cool aunt, not the emotional wreck.”
Avery laughed through her tears, looking up at her best friend. “You’re the best aunt already, Jan.”
As the nurses cleaned up and the room began to quiet, Avery and Ryan looked at each other, the weight of the moment settling over them.
“So,” Ryan said softly, “have we decided? Are we sticking with the name?”
Avery smiled, her eyes never leaving the baby’s face. “Elliot James Hayes. It feels right, doesn’t it?”
Ryan nodded, his expression full of love. “It’s perfect. Just like him.”
“Welcome to the world, Elliot,” Avery whispered, kissing her son’s forehead.
Janice clapped her hands together. “Elliot James Hayes. Sounds like a name fit for a president—or at least a really cool kid.”