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“Oh God, it hurts!” she cried

Her back arched and Ryan could feel the tension in her body, like a rubber band at full stretch

“You’re crowning, baby We’re alh your nose then hold it and push One long push Let’s see our baby”

At Adam’s calm direction, she quieted Ryan could feel her suck in a deep breath and then she bore down

“That’s it, love,” Ryan whispered in her ear

Ryan’s hands cupped her belly, trying to infuse his strength into her

“That’s it!” Adaood push You can do it”

An agonized rasp tore from Holly’s throat and Ryan hurt for her He ached Felt her effort Lived it with her God, he wished he could take her pain He’d do anything for her not to suffer like this

“Aaaaah!”

“Okay, rest a ed “The head is out That’s the hard part Letour baby the rest of the way here”

Ryan looked down to see a wide grin splitting his older brother’s face Behind hiht with amazement, with awe

“I need to push again, Adam”

There was panic in her voice as if she wasn’t quite sure what she should be doing Ryan kissed her hair and rubbed her belly with his hands, wanting to do so to offer her comfort

Adam reached up and squeezed one of her hands “Go on and push, baby One ood push and we’ll be done”

Holly’s back arched once more and every muscle in her body tensed Then she relaxed, much like a wilted balloon She fell back into his aredly, her chest rising and falling with exertion

Ryan looked down once more and met his brother’s eyes

“It’s a boy,” Adam whispered “We have a son!”

A tear rolled down Ryan’s cheek and he hastened to shrug it aith his shoulder

Ethan crowded in and Ada, slippery bundle up for Ethan to take

“Can you take care of the cord?” Adam asked “I’ll need to make sure she delivers the placenta”