Switched

Chapter 33 - Welcome to the World

Kayden's POV

"Push!" the doctor exclaimed once more, urgency lacing his voice.

Hazel squeezed my hand tightly, her nails digging into my skin as she pushed, her eyes squeezed shut in determination. Despite the fact that she had been squeezing my hand as if she might break it since we began, I paid it no mind. My thoughts were consumed by Hazel and our baby, their well-being my only concern.

Nearly two hours had passed since they whisked Hazel away to the delivery room, and every minute felt like an eternity. Seeing her in pain tore at my heart, filling me with a sense of helplessness that I struggled to shake off.

"You're doing great, doll," I whispered softly, my hand gently stroking her hair as I leaned in to place a tender kiss on her forehead, hoping to offer even the slightest comfort amidst her agony.

"It's your fault. I hate you, Kayden Matthews!" she snapped furiously, her voice raw with pain as she squeezed my hand in a vice grip. "You bastard! Jerk! I hate you," she added, her sobs echoing in the delivery room.

"Yes, doll. I'm all of them. Just take a deep breath and push," I said tenderly, my fingers gently stroking her hair as the doctor instructed her to push. She obeyed, drawing in a deep breath and pushing again, her nails digging into my skin, a sharp sting of pain shooting through me.

"Please, get her out of me," Hazel pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice trembling with pain and exhaustion.

"Shh, it's okay, doll. Our daughter will be born soon. Just stay strong," I reassured Hazel gently, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I can't, Kayden. I'm exhausted. I just want to sleep," she said, tears streaming down her face, her voice choked with emotion.

I gave her a compassionate look, my heart aching at the sight of her struggle. "My Hazel is so strong," I murmured warmly, reaching out to gently brush away her tears. "Just a few more minutes. Please, doll."

"Hazel, take a deep breath now and push hard!" the doctor demanded, the urgency in her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere of the delivery room.

"Come on, doll," I encouraged Hazel with a gentle smile. Hazel nodded, drawing in a deep breath, and pushed, clenching her teeth and squeezing her eyes shut while holding onto my hand tightly.

A few minutes later, the room echoed with the sound of a baby's cry. I glanced at Hazel with love in my eyes, a wide grin spreading across my face as warmth flooded my heart.

I am a father now.

"I love you, Haze," I confessed, my heart swelling with emotion as I pressed a kiss to her temple.

"Here's your daughter," the nurse said softly, handing me my baby girl.

Taking my precious bundle in my arms, I couldn't help but smile my heart swelling with an indescribable mixture of emotions. Despite my efforts, I couldn't suppress the wide grin that spread across my face, nor the tears that welled up in my eyes. Every fiber of my being overflowed with joy, an overwhelming wave of happiness washing over me as I held her close. It was a moment I had longed for, a moment that filled me with an uncontainable sense of love and fulfillment.

"Hey there, sweet girl. I'm your dad," I whispered softly, planting a tender kiss on her head as she cried, her tiny eyes squeezed shut. Meanwhile, Hazel watched us with tears in her eyes, her heart full of emotion.

After gently placing a kiss on my daughter's hand, I carefully handed her to her mother.

"Hi, my little one," Hazel cooed our daughter as she cradled her in her arms, planting a tender kiss on her cheek. I looked at them with affection, a happy smile spreading across my face. My two princesses.