Eric

Once we knew we were having a baby boy, everything seemed even more real.

A decorator was brought in to design a nursery because I couldn’t make up my mind by myself. In the end, I decided to keep it neutral with mostly whites and yellows, so it would work for this baby and all our future children. It also felt very elegant and nice, something I’d never really experienced in a bedroom before. Certainly much nicer than anything I ever had growing up and way beyond what I expected to be able to ever give to my child.

I spent most of my free time with Dominic and Theo, helping him out while getting comfortable taking care of a newborn. Theo was alpha through and through, even as a tiny baby. He had lungs that made his demands clear and had every one of us wrapped around his little finger. And when my son was born, I hoped they’d be best friends as well as cousins.

Vincenzo also changed almost overnight.

He went from gruff and stoic around his family to a doting softy who practically carried me around to make sure I was never strained or the least bit inconvenienced.

At first, it was silly. And then…it got to be a little annoying. But as the months wore on and my pregnancy progressed, it became a very nice luxury. He sought me out several times a day to see if I was hungry or thirsty or needed anything at all. And if Dominic ever told me about a baby product or developmental toy that I just had to have, Vincenzo ordered it immediately, promising that we’d always have everything we needed.

The only thing that would make my life perfect was having my son on the outside of my body…in my arms.

I grimaced as a spike of pain shot down my back. “Ugh, just a few more days.”

Vincenzo raised his eyebrow and eyed me. “Don’t get stuck on a particular date, babe. Most people I know are at least a few days late. If I were you, I’d plan on another week.”

My jaw dropped. “No. I can’t go another week.” I lifted my arms, imploring him to pull me to my feet, so I could pee for the millionth time. “He needs to…Get. Out.”

Vincenzo chuckled and leaned down, cupping his mouth over my belly. “You hear that, little man. Your daddy says you’re no longer welcome in that comfy, cozy bed he’s made for you. Time to start thinking about relocating.” He kissed my tummy and then proceeded to kiss up my chest until he reached my mouth. “I tried, but I can’t make any promises that he’ll listen to me. My brothers and I certainly never listened to my parents.”

I chuckled, imagining those four Santiago boys running wild as young boys. “Well, maybe I should climb up and down the stairs until the bouncing becomes too annoying and he decides he’ll be more comfortable in something a little more stationary. Like, a crib.”

“I don’t think so, sweetheart. Just hold tight. He’ll come when he’s ready.”

Grumbling to myself, I wobbled to the bathroom to take a piss. “Yeah, right.”

“You hungry?” Vincenzo called to me as I reached the toilet. “I’m kinda in the mood for pizza.”

Nothing new there. My alpha could live off pizza alone for the rest of his life and be happy.”

My back was bothering me as I stood there, leaning against the vanity. “I’m not hungry right now, but get whatever you want. I’ll have something later.”

I was washing my hands when I felt it. The sudden wetness in my pants that usually only happened when I was highly aroused. Oh, thank fuck. “Enzo!”

He ran into the bathroom with his phone still up to his ear. “Change your mind?”

I turned my head and looked over my shoulder. “Nope, this kid is clearly more well-behaved than you ever were because he got the message and is following directions.”

“Oh.” He looked at his phone and then at the puddle spreading at my feet. “Cancel the pizza. I’m having a baby.”

Things moved quickly after that.

I convinced Vincenzo to help me take a very brief shower, more of a rinse-off, before he carried me to the birthing suite. I barely made it onto the table before our baby decided he was good and ready to let himself out.

Just as the doctor walked in, our little guy made his appearance with practically no effort on my part. For months, I’d been expecting the worst, planning for absolute horror. Dominic had a terrible time with his delivery, and the anticipation was a million times worse than the actual event. So when I felt a strange wave of…something wash over me, I was sure I’d had an accident. Until I heard the cry of my precious baby.

“It’s a perfect baby boy, Eric.” The doctor was crouched at the end of the bed. “Vincenzo, you ready to help?”

Shock was the first emotion I felt, but it was quickly replaced by joy at the fact that my son was here. “Everything’s okay, Enzo? He’s fine?”

Vincenzo spoke next, and I could hear the crack in his voice. “He’s perfect, babe. Totally perfect in every way.”

My patience was running thin until I finally had my son in my arms. He really was perfect. More than I could have imagined. Everything was different from what I’d imagined. “I thought it was gonna hurt a lot more, but that wasn’t so bad.”

“You’re very lucky, Eric.” The doctor was already swapping his gloves for a clean pair. “That was the best-case scenario. One-in-a-million delivery.”

Or I was just really good at it. Maybe it was my calling. “I dunno. Whoever said childbirth was hard must’ve been doing it wrong, because this kid basically slipped right out.”

Dr. Nindy laughed and shook his head. “Don’t let Dominic hear you say that. He may never speak to you again. Little Theo practically tore him in two.”

I stared down at Gideon Vincenzo Santiago and kissed the top of his head. “You’re just an especially good boy, aren’t you?”

His lips twitched in his sleep as if he were laughing. I knew he wasn’t, but I let myself believe it was at least a well-timed smile.

“Yes, you are, sweet boy.” Vincenzo leaned over on the other side and kissed my forehead and then Gideon’s.

“He is.” My alpha looked at me with so much love and adoration in his eyes. “And so are you. The best ever.”

More like the luckiest ever. Lucky to have Vincenzo. Speaking of… “And fortunately for you, that wasn’t nearly as bad as I was expecting, so… I guess we can try this again.”

He grinned and leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine as his fingers threaded the hair on the back of my neck. “I love you, my sweet omega. I’ll give you anything you want for the rest of your life.”

I rested my forehead against his and just breathed in his scent. “You already have, alpha. There’s nothing more that I could ask for. Just a lifetime with you.”

He kissed me again and sighed. “Done.”