Falling For You [ Ryan Rees - Twin Paranormal ]

25

37 weeks 2 days

The next few days passed in a blur. Preparations for the baby's arrival occupied most of their time. As Winter arrived the thirty-seven-week mark, he grew increasingly restless, eager for the baby's arrival. They had everything planned for a home birth, and all the necessary supplies were ready.

In the early hours of the morning on the 17th of October, Winter awoke with a start. A sharp pain shot through his abdomen. He glanced at the clock—2:45 AM. "Ryan," he whispered urgently, but his partner was fast asleep.

Another contraction hit, more intense than the first. Winter found himself on the floor, on his hands and knees, trying to breathe through the pain. "Ryan!" he called out louder this time.

Ryan stirred and quickly noticed Winter's distress. He jumped out of bed, his heart racing. "Winter, are you okay?"

Winter grimaced, clutching his stomach. "I think it's time. The baby is coming."

Ryan's eyes widened. "Okay, okay. Just breathe. I'll wake River and Wyatt."

He bolted out of the room, sprinting down the hall. He pounded on River and Wyatt's doors. "Guys! Wake up! Winter's in labor!"

River stumbled out of his room, hair disheveled. "What? Now?"

Wyatt emerged, looking equally shocked. "Oh my God. Is he okay?"

Ryan nodded frantically. "He's in pain, but I think it's just starting. We need to get everything ready."

They all rushed back to the room where Winter was still on the floor, his breathing heavy. Ryan knelt beside him, rubbing his back soothingly. "I've got you, Winter. We're all here."

River and Wyatt began setting up the space for the home birth, getting the birthing pool ready and arranging the supplies. The midwife, whom they had on standby, was called and assured them she would be there shortly.

The contractions came in waves, each one stronger and closer together. Winter groaned, gripping Ryan's hand tightly. "Ryan, I can't believe this is happening so fast."

"I know, love. But you're doing great. Just keep breathing," Ryan encouraged, his voice calm despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him as the midwife soon arrived.

Ryan stayed by his side offering comfort and encouragement. "Breathe, Winter. Take deep breaths," he coached, applying counter pressure on Winter's hips.

The contractions were intense and frequent, coming every two to three minutes. Ryan's voice was a steady anchor for Winter, who moaned and vocalized his way through the pain. By 5:30 am, Winter had been in labor for six hours. He had moved to the bathroom and was laboring on the toilet, screaming and groaning with each contraction. Ryan stood in front of him, holding his hands and offering words of encouragement.

River and Wyatt were awake by then, capturing the intense but beautiful moments on camera for their birth vlog. The hours dragged on, and Winter's labor showed no signs of easing. At 4:05 pm, after 16 hours of labor, Winter was exhausted. He lay his head on the side of the birthing pool in the living room, trying to relax his muscles as Ryan stroked his forehead.

"Do you need anything, Winter?" Ryan asked softly.

"Water, with ice," Winter replied, his voice strained.

River quickly filled up Winter's water bottle and added ice. Winter tried different positions in the pool, but nothing seemed to ease his discomfort. After 19 hours of labor, the midwife performed a cervical check. "You're 9 cm dilated, but the baby isn't descending. The baby is sunny side up, which is causing more strain on your body."

~

By 4:50 am the next day, Winter had been in labor for 29 hours. He could only sleep a few minutes at a time and had returned to the toilet, hoping it would help the baby descend. Ryan coached him through each contraction, breathing with him and offering support.

Eventually, they got Winter back into bed, where he managed to get a bit of rest with Ryan lying beside him, rubbing his back. But after 31 hours of labor, Winter could no longer stand lying down. He got up and moved around, holding onto Ryan and putting his arms around his neck as a strong contraction gripped him.

River captured the sweet moment on camera, showing the deep bond between Ryan and Winter. The midwife checked the baby's heart rate with a Doppler and found that it wasn't changing during contractions. "The baby is sleeping through most of your labor and not assisting in getting out," she explained. "We need to do some spinning baby techniques to help move the baby into your pelvis."

The positions were uncomfortable and made Winter cry out in pain, but Ryan and Wyatt were there, offering comfort and support. Suddenly, Winter's water broke, signaling the start of the pushing stage after 33 hours in labor.

Ryan and the midwife put their arms around Winter, helping him into a squatting position. Winter began to push, each effort drawing on every ounce of his remaining strength. He pushed for three long hours, his body and mind utterly exhausted, but determined.

After 35 hours of labor, Winter was only an hour away from meeting their baby. Wyatt made some scrambled eggs to give Winter strength and energy. 

By 10:00 am on the 18th of October, Winter had been in labor for 36 hours and was at his limit. He needed gravity to help bring the baby down and out. Using a birth sling, he got into a deep squatting position with Ryan supporting him from behind.

After a few minutes, Winter cried out, "The baby is here!" The baby's head started to emerge, and the midwife asked Ryan if he wanted to catch their baby. She showed him where to place his hands, and with one final push and a primal roar from Winter, the baby slipped from his body into Ryan's waiting hands.

They all breathed a sigh of relief as Winter turned around and sat down. The midwife placed the baby on Winter's chest. He looked between the baby's legs and discovered they had a daughter. "We have a girl," Ryan announced, tears of joy streaming down his face. "We have a daughter."

They named her Clarity June, the name they picked and fell in love with, CJ for short. Ryan gave her his finger to hold, whispering, "We've been waiting for you, CJ." 

River and Wyatt, now proud uncles, shared in their joy.

Winter smiled through his tears. "She has my red hair but Ryan's eyes and features," he pointed out, looking at their daughter.

They moved Winter to the bed, where he could be more comfortable while the midwife delivered the placenta. Ryan took off his shirt and held his daughter for the first time, feeling her tiny body against his skin. "Hi sweetheart. She's so small," Ryan murmured, awe in his voice.

River captured a close-up shot of CJ, marveling at how small she was. When the midwife weighed and measured her, they learned she was 18 inches long and weighed 6 pounds and 2 ounces.

Ryan looked at Winter, his eyes filled with love and gratitude. "We did it," he whispered, pressing a kiss to Winter's forehead.

Winter smiled, exhaustion and happiness mingling in his eyes. "We did," he echoed, looking down at their daughter. "Welcome to the world, Clarity June Rees. You are so loved."