Omega’s Refuge (Rambling Cow Dude Ranch #1)

Chapter Twenty-Five

(Early the next morning)

I’d fully intended to wake up and have more sex, but I slept soundly until the contractions woke me up. The pink dawn was seeping through the curtains as I realized exactly what I was feeling. I blinked my eyes open, the stiffness of the unfamiliar mattress and the lingering ache in my lower back pulling me from sleep. For a moment, I stayed still, taking inventory of my body. My belly, heavy and tight, seemed to stretch even further this morning, the weight of it pressing down uncomfortably

A low ache radiated from my hips, and a cramping sensation rippled across my abdomen. Not quite pain, but enough to make me catch my breath. I let out a soft groan and rubbed my belly absently, the warmth of my palm soothing the taut skin.

Beside me, Rex stirred, his arm slipping from where it had been draped protectively over my waist. He blinked blearily at me. “You okay?” His voice was husky with sleep.

“I think it worked,” I whispered.

He cleared his throat. “What worked?”

“The sex. I… I think I might be in labor, Rex.”

He sat up immediately, looking startled. “Really? Already? ”

“I definitely feel cramping.” I sat up slowly and realized I was sitting in a wet spot on the mattress. “Shit. I… I think my water broke.”

“Seriously?” He got off the bed, his hair sticking up messily.

“God, the motel is going to charge us for ruining the mattress.” I grimaced down at the wet bed. “How embarrassing.”

“I don’t really give a darn about the motel’s mattress right now, Tanner.” He ran over and grabbed his jeans, pulling them on without underwear. “We need to get you back to the medical center.”

“Yeah.” I winced as another painful cramp hit me. I inched toward the edge of the mattress, feeling unnerved.

Swinging my legs off the bed, I paused as the cool air hit my skin. The stiffness in my joints made it hard to stand at first, and my swollen feet protested when they touched the carpeted floor.

Rex hurried around the bed to steady me with a hand under my elbow. His other hand rested lightly on the small of my back. “I’ve got you.”

“I have to pee. Do you think there’s time for me to pee?” My voice wobbled.

“I think so, yes.” He helped me waddle toward the tiny bathroom.

Once I’d emptied my bladder, I splashed my face with cold water. I’d wanted warm water, but even after running the faucet for a few minutes the water wasn’t heated. I stared at my dripping face in the spotted mirror. My cheeks were flushed, and dark shadows hung under my eyes. I was excited that it was time for the baby to arrive, but also terrified of what was to come.

By the time I came out of the bathroom, Rex had laid out my clothes on the edge of the bed. My hands shook as I pulled up my jeans and tugged my shirt over my head. “We don’t have our pregnancy bag with us,” I mumbled.

“I called Mrs. Rodwell while you were in the bathroom, to let her know what’s happening. She’s driving the bag to the medical center for us.”

“Really?” I was surprised. “She’s driving it herself? Why wouldn’t she send one of the guys?”

“I have no idea. She just said she’d bring us the bag.”

“Well, that’s good, I guess.” I grunted as another contraction hit me. I braced myself on the bed, gritting my teeth.

Rex watched me warily. “Since your water broke, things could move quickly now. We should get going.”

“I’m trying,” I said breathlessly, waiting for the contraction to loosen so I could walk. “I just need a sec.”

He moved to me, rubbing my back. “I wish I could do something to help you.”

I laughed gruffly. “Me too. ”

Once the contraction was past, Rex slowly ushered me toward the door. The morning air held the sharp, woody scent of pine trees. The gravel crunched underfoot as we made our way to the truck. Rex helped me into the passenger seat, his expression anxious.

I leaned back against the seat as he put my safety belt on me. The contractions were getting stronger, and I was relieved we only had about a ten minute drive back to the medical center. “It’s good we stopped here,” I mumbled. “The drive will be shorter.”

“Yes.” He shut the truck door, his eyes very serious as he moved around the outside of the vehicle. He climbed in, starting the engine before he even had the door fully closed. The rumble of the truck vibrated through the seat, oddly soothing against my lower back. He shut the door and pulled out onto the road, heading back in the direction of Big Timber Medical Center.

I gripped the center console every time a contraction hit, and sweat broke out on my face. I didn’t want to complain too loudly, but it was hard keeping the groans of discomfort from escaping my lips. The contractions were getting more painful with each passing moment.

Rex drove fast. Probably faster than was actually safe, but he seemed hell-bent on getting to our destination quickly. The wheels of the truck screeched slightly as he pulled into the small parking lot of the Big Timber Medical Center. My heart was pounding as much from the contractions as from my nerves. I gripped my belly, which felt impossibly tight with each wave of pain, and tried to focus on my breathing.

Rex and I had gone to some pre-birthing classes and learned a few breathing techniques to control the pain. To be honest though, breathing techniques were no match for the contractions I was experiencing. It was hard to concentrate on breathing slowly when I was in so much pain.

Rex parked as close to the entrance as possible and jumped out of the truck. He opened my door and carefully helped me down from the vehicle. The chill of the morning air hit me, making me shiver despite the heat coursing through my body. He wrapped an arm around me, guiding me toward the building.

The automatic doors slid open, revealing a modest but clean waiting area with beige walls and laminated posters about flu vaccines and blood drives. A receptionist sitting behind a desk greeted us immediately. She was a woman in her fifties with kind eyes, her graying hair pulled back into a neat bun. Her name tag read “Linda.”

“I’m Rex and this is Tanner. He’s in labor,” Rex blurted before she could even open her mouth. “His water broke already. We’re not really sure when because we were asleep. ”

Her gaze flickered. “Okay.” She reached for the phone beside her and pressed a button. “I have an omega here who is in labor. His water has already broke, and he’s not exactly sure when.” She flicked her gaze to me. “He’s definitely having strong contractions.” She put her hand over the mouth piece. “Who’s your OBGYN?”

“Dr. Thompson,” Rex responded.

I was glad he was handling the talking. I was having trouble not screaming in pain. Polite conversation would have been beyond my capabilities in that moment.

“I’ll let him know you’re in labor.” She said a few more things to the person on the other end of the call, and then she hung up. “Let’s get you to a delivery room. Rex, if you wouldn’t mind grabbing that wheelchair over there for Tanner.” She pointed to a wheelchair nearby. “I’ll print the paperwork and be right behind you. Just go down that hallway to Labor and Delivery, Room 3.”

Rex grabbed the wheelchair and helped me lower myself into it. Then with Linda’s directions, he took off down a short corridor. The hallway smelled of antiseptic, clean and sharp, with faint undertones of coffee wafting from somewhere deeper in the building. Rex’s boots squeaked against the polished floor tiles.

We were met at the door of Labor and Delivery, Room 3 by a young, male nurse with dark curls and a reassuring smile. “I’m Nurse Evan. Bring Tanner in here and while we help him up on the table, you can change into scrubs in that little room over there.”

“Okay.” Rex looked uncertain about leaving me.

Evan took hold of the wheelchair. “I promise he’ll be fine. You’ll only be gone a few minutes and I’ll look after him.”

Rex let out a shaky breath and he looked down at me. “I’ll just be a second.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

Rex headed toward the door of the changing room, giving me an uneasy look over his shoulder.

“He’s very protective,” Evan said, helping me to my feet. “That’s how an alpha should be.”

I didn’t respond because another contraction hit. Evan waited patiently for it to pass, and then he was able to help me hobble to the table. He assisted me up onto the flat surface, adjusting the small pillow beneath my head for me.

“You good?” Evan asked, smiling down at me.

“Well, as good as I can be, considering.” I winced as another contraction slammed into me.

Evan grimaced. “The contractions are very close together. It won’t be long now.”

“God,” I whimpered.

“It’s okay. We’ll take care of you and the baby.” Evan helped strip off my clothing. He helped me into a hospital gown, and then he moved away to talk to another nurse who’d entered the bright room.

I scanned the room, taking in the sterile environment. The room was small but well-equipped, with the hospital bed I was on, and monitors set up on one side. There were no windows, but the lights were very bright, bouncing off the white walls.

Rex returned, wearing blue scrubs and a mask. He lowered the mask when he reached me. “How are you feeling?”

“Like an alien is trying to escape my body.” I tried to smile, but failed miserably as another contraction hit. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” I gripped Rex’s hand, and he winced but held on tight.

Evan returned, pulling on a pair of gloves. “I’m going to check your vitals, Tanner, and then get you hooked up to the monitor. We’ll want to keep an eye on the baby’s heartbeat.”

“Is Dr. Thompson on his way?” Rex asked nervously.

Evan nodded. “Yep. He’ll be here shortly.”

The next few minutes were a blur of activity. Evan wrapped a blood pressure cuff around my arm, clipped a pulse oximeter to my finger, and placed two elastic bands with sensors around my belly. The monitor beeped steadily, and a rapid, heartbeat filled the room. Relief flooded me at the sound of my baby’s heart .

“Hear that?” Rex smiled. “The baby’s heart sounds strong.”

“Yeah, it does.” I nodded, my eyes stinging with tears.

You’re doing great, Tanner,” Rex murmured, holding my hand. “So much better than I’d do.”

Sweat beaded my face as I held his gaze. “I just want this to be over.”

He nodded, looking pained. While watching me go through labor was easier than being the one doing it, it still had to be difficult to see someone he loved in pain.

Relief flooded me when Dr. Thompson arrived. He strode over to us, glasses perched on the bridge of his long nose. “You boys must have taken my advice.”

Rex frowned. “Advice?”

He lowered his voice. “About having sex. You must have listened and here we are.” He grinned. “I told you so.”

I groaned. “Just get this thing out of me, Doc.”

Dr. Thompson nodded, smile fading. “Absolutely. Let me just check how far along you are.” He pushed up my gown and performed a quick cervical exam. “You’re about eight centimeters dilated. You’re progressing well. We’ll keep monitoring, but I’d say you’ll be ready to push soon.”

“So fast?” Rex blinked at him. “I feel like we just got here. ”

“Once the water breaks and the contractions get close together, things go very fast.” He patted Rex’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Tanner and the baby are doing great.”

“I wanted a epidural,” I mumbled, moaning as a contraction rippled through me.

Dr. Thompson gritted his teeth. “I’m really sorry, Tanner. There’s no time. You’ll have given birth before the anesthesiologist could even arrive.”

“Oh, God,” I wailed, panic setting in. “I don’t think I can do this without a epidural. It’s too painful. I can’t do it.”

Dr. Thompson grimaced. “It’ll be okay, Tanner—”

“No it won’t be,” I hissed, arching my back as another agonizing contraction hit. “It’s too much. It’s too painful. I can’t do it.” Dread washed over me and I began to struggle to sit up. “I can’t. I can’t.”

Rex slipped his arm under my shoulders and he rested his cheek against mine. “It’s okay, Tanner. I promise you, it’s okay. You can do this. I know you can.”

The moment his body was close to mine, I began to calm. “But it hurts so much,” I whimpered, clutching his arm. “Rex, I just want this to stop. ”

“I know, love,” he whispered. “I know you’re in so much pain. I’d take it all from you if I could. But I can’t. This is up to you, and you alone.”

“What if I can’t do it?”

“You can. I know you’re strong enough, Tanner. Don’t think of the pain, think of the baby. Picture the child in your mind. They’re depending on you, Tanner. You’re the only one who can protect the baby right now. Your strength is what will keep you both safe.”

I dug my nails into his shoulder. “I’m scared.”

“I know.” He kissed my hair. “I know, love. But I’m right here with you.”

Tears dribbled from the corners of my eyes, partly from pain and partly from overwhelming emotions. “I’ll try.”

“That’s all you can do, right?” He smiled down at me, his eyes so blue it almost hurt to look at them.

My body shuddered as a huge contraction hit. “Oh, shit,” I hissed, writhing on the bed. The pressure between my legs increased, and I arched my back, seeking relief.

“It’s time to push.” Dr. Thompson’s voice was firm. “Tanner, I know this is terrifying, but it’s time.”

“Rex,” I whined, fear quivering through me.

He cupped my cheek. “I’m right here. It’s okay. ”

Nurse Evan guided my feet into the stirrups on the table. I didn’t fight him. Rex’s words swirled in my head, and I did my best to picture the child.

This will pass.

I’ll be okay in a minute.

Just a little longer.

My baby is counting on me.

It was probably only minutes that passed, but in the blur of pain and time it felt like hours. I bore down against the excruciating pain, trying to push the baby out of my body. The contractions came closer and closer together, each one a wave of pain that left me gasping for air. Rex stayed by my side the whole time, wiping my face with a cool cloth and murmuring encouragement.

“Deep breath, and push, Tanner,” Dr. Thompson instructed. “That’s it. You’re doing amazing.”

Rex held my hand tightly, his other arm braced around my shoulders, practically holding me up as I gave everything I had. My body strained, sweat covering my skin. My muscles trembled from exhaustion, and I wanted to cry. But I dug deep, gritting my teeth and listening to Rex’s deep voice rumbling in my ear. I pushed when told to, and stopped when told to. I’d reached a point where I felt I had nothing left to give when a sharp, piercing cry filled the room. Relief and joy washed over me as I realized the baby was finally here.

“You did it, Tanner. You did it.” Rex rained kisses down on my sweaty face, and he hugged me against his chest. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at me. “God, I love you.”

My mouth was dry as a bone, but I rasped, “Love you too.”

Dr. Thompson held up a squirming, red-faced baby. “Congratulations, Tanner and Rex. You have a healthy baby boy.”

“It’s a boy?” I whimpered, laughing.

“It sure is.” Dr. Thompson smiled. “Rex, would you do the honor of cutting the umbilical cord?”

Rex smiled and kissed my forehead. He went down to where the nurse had clipped the cord. He took the surgical scissors from Nurse Evans and he cut the cord in one decisive stroke. Then he smiled down at the little baby.

The nurses whisked the baby to a station where they cleaned him up, weighed him, and wrapped him in a soft blue blanket. Tears blurred my vision as Nurse Evan then brought the infant to me, lying him on my chest. His tiny fingers curled against mine, and his cries softened as I murmured to him. Whether he was the biological father or not, Rex was beaming with pride as he watched us .

“You did it,” Rex whispered, kissing my forehead and then the baby’s. “He’s perfect, Tanner.”

“He is,” I mumbled. “He’s so adorable.”

Dr. Thompson chuckled. “He’ll be even cuter when he isn’t so red and wrinkly.”

I sniffed and wiped at my damp eyes. “I think he’s perfect the way he is.”

Dr. Thompson left shortly after, and the medical team moved quietly around the room, cleaning up. Nurse Evan brought me a glass of water and adjusted the blankets around me.

“When the baby wakes up, we’ll help you breast feed him.” Nurse Evans said. “It can take a few tries to get them to latch on. Sometimes it’s painful for the father or mother too, until the nipples toughen up.”

“After what I just went through,” I said hoarsely, “Something tells me breastfeeding will be a piece of cake.”