Always & Forever

Chapter 26

Third Person POV

Sean lifted his head in worry, rasping out, "darling"

Lana's figure was outlined by the touch of light shining through the bathroom door. She had her arms leaned against the dresser, her head hung as she rocked her hips. She hummed in response.

"Are you okay, love?"

Lana stood tall again after a moment, releasing a breath. "Yeah, go back to sleep, babe."

Sean frowned. "How long have you been awake?"

She waddled back toward the bed, shrugging.

"Why didn't you wake me?" he asked.

She lowered herself carefully to the bed, laying next to him, "Because I had to pee, Sean. I wasn't going to wake you just to tell you I had to pee. You wouldn't get any sleep either if that was the case."

He gave her his hand to help her roll to her side. Then flicked on the bedside table light so he could see her a bit better.

Once she was situated on her side, Sean slid down the bed, lifting Lana's shirt gently and placing a soft kiss on her belly. "Hi pumpkin, daddy and mama are ready to meet you."

In response, her muscles contracted and Sean placed a hand on her belly, confirming that she was in fact having a contraction. His head shot up to look at her just as a huff passed her lips.

He knew the answer but still asked, "Are you having contractions?"

She huffed again, reaching a hand out to him. He immediately seemed to snap out of his shock and lifted to his knees. "Oh my god, you're in labor."

She groaned, "No, they're braxton hicks contractions."

Sean arched a brow at her.

She didn't reply right away, her face scrunching as she wiggled a bit at an attempt to minimize the discomfort. Finally she released a breath and mumbled a quiet plea, "Babe, please don't get your hopes up. I hate disappointing you."

Sean wasn't tired anymore, he was wide awake and she could practically hear the wheels turning in his head as he decided what to address first.

He took her face in his hands, carefully tipping her head to look at him, "You do not disappoint me. You never have." The sincerity in his voice was enough to make Lana's eyes gloss with unfallen tears. "Really, you amaze me. Your strength especially, and I don't mean physically - though that is impressive too."

She cupped her hand over his and turned slightly to kiss his palm. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Sean placed a delicate kiss on her lips and hopped out of bed, using the restroom quickly before returning. Just as Sean layed next to her again, she tensed, her brows scrunching as she held her breath, "Breathe, Lana," Sean encouraged gently. He took a deep breath in and then out again and she followed his lead with a grip on his hand until it was over.

"Lana..."

"Fine," she huffed, "Maybe I'm in labor"

He practically bounced out of bed in excitement, "Oh my god! You're in labor? Holy fuck!"

Lana was grateful Amada was sleeping downstairs in her room on the other side of the house as she lay there watching Sean.

"I mean, I knew this was probably going to happen at some point but-"

"Probably?" She laughed, "Sean-"

He continued on, as though she hadn't said a word, "I can't believe this is really happening. Holy shit!" As if only suddenly realizing what that meant he gasped, "Oh god! This is happening. You're prepared for this, remember? Stay calm."