Chapter 18 Matthew #2
“It’s a boy, as you already knew. Congratulations, daddies,” the doctor said to us.
I tuned out what else was being said as I watched Patrick gently start wiping Ollie’s head.
He walked behind Cornelius, who was reaching down toward my stomach, and then Patrick appeared just beside my shoulder, a now crying Ollie in his arms, wrapped up in a blanket instead of a towel. Magic that worked was amazing.
“He’s beautiful, Matthew. And he has your blue eyes but this shock of dark hair—I’d say he has Cornelius’s hair.”
I held out my arms, reaching for my baby, and when Patrick placed the bundle in my arms, Ollie almost immediately quieted.
“He knows who you are,” Patrick said before taking a step back. He tugged on Cornelius, who was instantly at my shoulder, staring at our son with me.
“He’s perfect and adorable, just like you,” Cornelius said.
“He’s wrinkly and looks upset,” I said dryly, causing the others in the room to chuckle.
“Okay, Matthew, one more bit of pressure, and then we’ll get your line closed and you can sit up.”
“’Kay.” I looked at Cornelius and smiled. “He is perfect though. He’s so big. I can’t believe how big he is. Do you want to hold him?”
“No, you keep him for now.”
I shook my head. “No, you should hold him too. He needs to feel you too,” I argued. “Besides, it’s kinda awkward holding him while lying down.” Cornelius sighed and reached for our son, carefully picking him up like he was the most fragile piece of china in the world.
“Here, like this,” Patrick said as he helped readjust Ollie in his arms. I watched my mate’s face as it bloomed into a huge smile and his eyes became watery.
I loved that my mate wasn’t too uncomfortable to show emotion in front of other members of the coven.
But I had to agree; the birth of our son was certainly a moment worthy of a few tears. Or screams.
“There. Your line should be fully closed within the hour, Matthew. For now we’ll leave the sterile cloth on it. Did you want clean sweats? Or just a blanket?”
“Umm, a blanket? I can put sweats on later when we leave. We can leave later, right?” I wasn’t trying to sound ungrateful—and the bed was quite comfortable—but I wanted to spend our first night with Ollie in our suite.
“You can. Just as soon as your line closes and you can walk without any pain. I’d say you’ll be here for two hours at the most. But you will need to relax for several days.
And by several, I mean five or more. You have a mate; have him help you with things,” Constantine told me.
I nodded in response. I could do that. I would make sure I asked my mate for help.
Although, I didn’t want to run him ragged either.
The head of the bed slowly rose a bit as I watched Cornelius coo at our son. When I was sitting up a bit, I pushed up with my hands, scooting farther back against the raised portion.
“Good?”
I nodded. “Yes, thank you.” I looked down my body, and the look on my face must have been funny because Constantine started chuckling.
“Once I can get him away from his other daddy, I’ll weigh him, but I’d say he’s close to eight pounds by my estimation.”
My eyes widened. “Really? Fae babies aren’t supposed to be that big. We aren’t big people.”
“True. But your baby isn’t quite fae,” Constantine said, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
“What? I only sense fae from him,” Cornelius said as he walked over to the doctor.
“Yes, he is a fae. But I only meant that he has a fae dad and a warlock dad. Most fae mate with other fae, keeping the genes on the smaller side. Your little one might very well take after the warlock gene when it comes to height. He’s already quite long and slender for a baby, much like warlock babies,” Constantine said.
He carefully took Ollie from Cornelius and then took him to the side of the room where he unbundled him.
“Would it upset you if he were tall like me?”
I looked up at my mate where he stood beside me and then scooted over on the bed, patting the empty spot. I needed my mate beside me so he could hold me while holding Ollie as well.
“Of course not. Life in your world will be easier on him if he’s not as short as me. I’m going to love him no matter what. Even if he’s over a foot taller than I am,” I said, hoping I reassured my mate. He carefully sat down beside me, wrapping an arm around my neck, pulling me into his side.
“You did amazing today, and I’m proud of you.”
I rolled my eyes. “I screamed like crazy and complained about the pain, but I’ll take the compliment because I know you truly feel that way.
You did amazing too, you know,” I said. I reached over and wrapped my left hand around his stomach, giving him a half hug.
“You kept it together and talked me through the pain. You got me here, and now we have little Ollie here with us. I’d not have him at all if it weren’t for you. ”
“Ollie?” the other two said from over on the side of the room.
“Oh yeah. We’re naming him Oliver Thomas Schmidt. But we’re going to call him Ollie until he’s old enough to tell us he wants to go by Oliver.”
“Well, Oliver or Ollie, they are both a great name for your little guy. Who just happens to weigh in at a whopping seven pounds and fifteen ounces. He’s just one ounce shy of eight pounds.
And he’s twenty-three inches long. We’ll have to wait a few years, but I’d say he’s going to have Cornelius’s height. ”
I smiled at Constantine as he handed Ollie back to me, and I settled him in my left arm, between me and Cornelius so we could both fuss over him.
His eyes were closed, and he seemed to be peacefully sleeping already.
“I don’t care if he’s tall. I’m just glad here’s finally here,” I said quietly, not wanting to wake the baby.
“Congratulations, you two. I’ll be in my office if you need me. But I’ll let you two spend some time with the Ollie together.”
“Thank you, Constantine,” my mate said, giving the doctor a quick glance. “And thank you for helping, Patrick. Pleases tell Arthur he’s welcome to come meet the newest coven member whenever he’d like.”
“I will. And it was my pleasure. He’s beautiful. Congratulations again.”
Cornelius watched the other two leave, and then we were finally alone with our son.
I reached over and pushed the button on the side of the bed, lowering it.
Once I had it flat, I handed Ollie to Cornelius and then rolled to my side before reaching for our son.
Once I had him on the bed, I looked up at Cornelius expectantly.
He didn’t disappoint. He quickly mirrored me and lay on the bed facing me, Ollie between us.
I gently kissed our son’s forehead and sighed. “I love you, Ollie,” I whispered. “And I love you too, Cornelius. Thank you for everything,” I added quietly.
“It was my pleasure, sweetheart.”