More than Friends

“Push,” the doctor says, and Kat squeezes my hand with her superhuman strength, forcing my eyes shut.

A few seconds later, Noah’s screams fill the room, and Dr. Walcott announces, “It’s a boy.”

But we already knew that.

I smile like a fool as my gaze travels between Noah and Kat. Dr. Walcott holds Noah up to show him to us, before passing him to the nurse.

The nurse asks me if I want to cut the umbilical cord, and I nod, nervous. What if I screw this up?

I know I can’t hurt Noah, but still, I am terrified. After the doctor and nurse make their preparations, the nurse hands me the scissors, as I stand over my son, freaking out. He’s tiny and beautiful, a mini version of me. My eyes fill with tears that I blink away.

Kat deprived me of months of her pregnancy, but she gave me this moment. Cutting into the cord is weird, sort of like slicing through a thick, wet rope. But I feel more bonded to Noah. His mother got to carry and nurture him, but this is something I get to do. It all hits me at once. I have a son.

After I finish, the nurse takes Noah to clean him up, and I stand next to Kat, my hands still trembling. I sweep the hair off her forehead and bend down to kiss her slick, salty skin, telling her how much I love her.

I follow her line of sight to the nurse who is holding our baby.

“We make cute kids, huh?” Kat asks, unable to peel her eyes away.

“He takes after his dad.”

She turns to face me, her smile reaching up to her watery blue eyes that have tears of joy in them. “He sure does.” Kat presses her palm to my cheek. “I can’t wait to take Noah home and start my family with you.”

I kiss her fingers that brush my lips. “Me, too, Kitten.”

“You should let everyone know that we’re okay and that Noah is healthy.”

“I’m not leaving your side.”

She tips her head toward the door. “Stop being weird. Go ahead. We will be fine. My dad, brothers, and your mom are probably worried sick.”

“I still don’t like Duke,” I admit.

“You will always be the man who knocked up his baby sister, so I would say the feeling is mutual. You guys are family now. Both of you will have to put aside your differences for Noah and me.”

I bring her hand up to my lips and plant a kiss on her soft skin. “I’ve been an asshole lately, but I would do anything for you and our son.”

“I know that, Dean. Now, go. Let everyone know they can come see the baby and me.”

I release her hand, not wanting to leave the room. “I’ll be right back.”

As I walk into the waiting area, the entire Baldwin clan comes to a standing. Theo and Tucker speed walk over to me, with Austin and Duke in tow. Nick helps my mom up from the chair and hooks his arm through hers.

“Did Kat have the baby?” Theo asks, smiling.

“The nurses are cleaning him up now.”

“Congratulations, bro,” Theo says, slapping me on the back, followed by Tucker.

“Thanks.”

“I guess this makes you an official member of the family,” Tucker says.

I laugh. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Now, we can actually call you our brother and it will be legit,” Theo says.

I smile at his words. “Do you guys want to see Noah?”