Stronger Together

Part 9

Buck's entire body tensed as another contraction barreled through him, this one more intense than any he’d felt before. His breathing hitched, his muscles straining as he gripped Eddie’s hand with all the strength he could muster, knuckles white and trembling. Sweat dripped down his temples, his skin flushed and glistening under the harsh hospital lights. He could barely focus, his mind drowning in a haze of pain and exhaustion. But there was one thing that was unmistakable: the undeniable, overwhelming need to push.

“I’ve got to push,” Buck gasped, his voice strained and high-pitched with panic. “Eddie, I can’t—oh God, I can’t hold it!”

Eddie’s heart raced in his chest, panic and determination swirling inside him as he watched Buck fighting through the pain. His face was a mask of raw emotion—fear, desperation, and a kind of fierce resolve that Eddie had never seen before. He leaned in closer, pressing his lips to Buck’s forehead, his voice steady even as his own hands shook. “You’re almost there, Buck. Just a little more. You’re doing so good.”

But Buck wasn’t hearing much beyond the overwhelming roar of his body, his mind consumed by the need to bear down and push. The pressure was unbearable now, like every muscle in his body was begging for release, and with a guttural moan, he gave in to the instinct. His entire body convulsed as he pushed, his breath coming out in short, ragged bursts as the contraction peaked.

“Aahhhh!” Buck screamed, his voice echoing off the sterile walls of the hospital room, raw and primal. His eyes screwed shut as he threw his head back, his fingers digging into Eddie’s hand so tightly that Eddie thought for sure he’d lose circulation. But Eddie didn’t flinch. He stayed right there, his free hand rubbing soothing circles on Buck’s back, murmuring words of encouragement.

“You’re so close,” the nurse said, her voice both gentle and firm as she positioned herself at the foot of the bed, monitoring the progress. “I can see the head, Buck. Just a couple more pushes.”

Buck’s breath hitched again, and he let out a sob, shaking his head weakly. “I can’t—oh God, I can’t do it anymore,” he whimpered, his voice barely audible through the exhaustion and pain.

“Yes, you can.” Eddie’s voice was steady and sure, cutting through the chaos like a lifeline. He pressed his forehead against Buck’s, his breath warm and steady as he whispered, “You’re the strongest person I know. You can do this. You’re almost there. Just a few more, baby. You’ve got this.”

Buck’s lip wobbled, a tear slipping down his cheek as he stared up at Eddie with wide, glassy eyes. The pain was so intense, so consuming, that it felt like it was swallowing him whole. But Eddie was right there, his steady presence grounding Buck, pulling him back from the brink.

“Okay,” Buck whispered, his voice shaking but filled with resolve. “Okay.”

The contraction hit again, harder and faster this time, and Buck’s body jerked forward with the force of it. He bore down with everything he had, every muscle in his body screaming in protest as he pushed. His eyes squeezed shut, tears streaming down his face as he groaned through gritted teeth, the pain so intense that it felt like he was being ripped apart.

Eddie’s hand was still locked tightly in his, anchoring him, and Buck clung to it like a lifeline, drawing strength from the warmth and solidness of Eddie’s touch. His other hand fisted into the hospital sheets, gripping so hard that his nails tore at the fabric.

“Oh God—oh God!” Buck screamed, his voice breaking as another contraction slammed through him. He was gasping now, his chest heaving with each shallow breath as he tried to gather the strength for one more push.

“You’re almost there,” the nurse’s voice came again, filled with quiet reassurance. “The baby’s crowning, Buck. Just a little more.”

Buck sobbed, his entire body trembling as he nodded, barely able to focus through the haze of pain. He could feel it now—the baby, pressing down, ready to make its entrance into the world. The pressure was so intense, so overwhelming, that it felt like his body couldn’t possibly take it anymore.

But then Eddie’s voice was there, soft and strong, cutting through the fog of pain. “You’re doing so good, Buck. You’re almost there. Just one more, okay? One more push, and we’ll meet our baby.”

Buck met Eddie’s eyes, his breath catching in his throat. He could see the love and the fear in Eddie’s gaze, could feel it in the way Eddie held him, so close, so steady. And it gave him strength.

“I—I can do this,” Buck whispered, his voice barely more than a breath.

“You can do this,” Eddie echoed, his voice filled with quiet certainty.

The next contraction hit like a tidal wave, and Buck’s entire body jerked forward as he bore down one last time, his breath coming out in sharp, ragged gasps. His grip on Eddie’s hand tightened, his nails digging into Eddie’s skin as he pushed with everything he had, his body trembling with the effort.

And then—suddenly—the pressure released.

There was a moment of silence, the world seeming to hold its breath.

And then—

A tiny, piercing cry filled the room.

Buck let out a sob, his entire body sagging against the bed as relief and exhaustion washed over him all at once. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath, tears streaming down his face as he listened to the soft, beautiful wails of his newborn baby.

“Oh God,” Buck whispered, his voice shaking with emotion. “Oh my God.”

Eddie was crying too, his face pressed against Buck’s as they clung to each other, overwhelmed by the moment. “You did it,” Eddie whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Buck, you did it. We have a baby.”

The nurse was quick, efficient, and calm as she gently wrapped the newborn in a soft blanket, her smile warm as she brought the baby over to Buck and Eddie.

“Congratulations,” she said softly, placing the tiny, wriggling bundle into Buck’s waiting arms. “You’ve got a beautiful, healthy baby.”

Buck stared down at the tiny face peeking out from the blanket, his breath catching in his throat as tears filled his eyes once more. The baby was so small, so perfect, and as Buck cradled the newborn against his chest, he felt a rush of love so overwhelming that it took his breath away.

“Oh my God,” Buck whispered, his voice filled with awe. “Eddie…look.”

Eddie leaned in, his own tears spilling over as he gazed down at their baby. He pressed a soft kiss to Buck’s temple, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so proud of you, Buck. So proud.”

Buck smiled through his tears, his heart so full it felt like it might burst. “We did it,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “We really did it.”

And in that moment, as they held their newborn child together, everything else faded away—the pain, the exhaustion, the fear. All that mattered was the tiny life in Buck’s arms, the love that filled the room, and the future that lay ahead for their little family.