Free The Cub Club by Serena Pettus Page B

His Eva was being such a trooper, and Adam was so very proud to call her his. “Stephanie, you hold my hand, and Adam you stay right there. Your handsome face is my focus point.”
    “You got it, sweetheart.”
    Stephanie placed her hand on Eva’s shoulder. “You’ll need to curl your back forward, so that he can see your vertebrae better. This is going to pinch and feel a little strange, from what I’ve heard, but don’t move.”
    “She’s right,” Simon interjected. “Once you get comfortable and are between contractions, we’ll get this done quickly and you’ll be right as rain.”
    The next contraction passed, and Simon only gave a moment’s warning before he put the needle in. Adam’s first thought was, Slight pinch my ass! Why did medical people always lie about how much things hurt?
    Adam heard the change in Eva’s breathing, her breaths coming in short and quick, as the small catheter was positioned. He quickly took her face in his hands in an effort to calm her. He wasn’t sure what exactly would happen if she accidentally moved, but with her spine being involved, he didn’t want to find out. “Shh, I’ve got you. Everything is all right. You know I’d never let anyone hurt you.”
    She opened her eyes, and the glimpse of fear he caught in their green depths mirrored what he felt through their bond. They were both nervous. Hell, so much could go wrong during childbirth. They’d be stupid to not be worried to some extent.
    “Breathe normally for me, Eva. I don’t want you to hyperventilate,” Simon soothed. “The needle is out now, and you can lay back if you’d like and make yourself comfortable however you want. The catheter won’t impede your movements, but be careful not to pull on it whenever you do roll over. I’ve begun the drip, and it should start giving you relief in the next few minutes.”
    Eva sighed. “Thank you.”
    “It’s my pleasure.” He quickly and efficiently cleaned up the spot where he’d put his tray then stepped back and out of the way. “If there’s nothing else you need from me, I’ll be going. Oh, and congratulations.”
    Adam stood from his kneeling position and helped his mate get comfortable before turning and thanking Simon, as well. The man had no clue how badly Adam wanted to hug him when he felt no more than a slight twinge as the next contraction came.
    Blessed relief at last!
    Finally able to stand up straight now that the pain was gone, Adam stretched and moved back to his chair at the bedside. Eva was lying on her side, rubbing her rounded belly as her eyes drooped. It was no wonder she was exhausted. They’d been up most of the night, and it was now early afternoon.
    “You should both try to get a little rest before the time comes to push,” Stephanie suggested. “I’ll be here, so don’t worry about visitors. I’ll update them in the hall and direct them to the waiting area.”
    “Thank you, Stephanie.” And Adam really meant that. The woman was a tremendous help, and he was glad to have her on hand during this pregnancy. He understood it couldn’t be easy for her to be surrounded by pregnant women when she’d lost her own child barely two years before.
    “Yes, thank you,” Eva echoed. “I don’t mind if any of the women are present for the birth, as long as the doctor is okay with it. If Angela and Sarah want to come in, that would be fine. Maybe Lacy will be off duty by then, too.”
    The fact Eva was open enough to include his mother, and their sisters-in-law, Sarah and Lacy, couldn’t have made him happier. Adam knew that his mother would be ecstatic over being present at the birth of her first grandchild. It would help Sarah to prepare herself for her upcoming birth, and Lacy might just catch the baby-fever if she hung around, too.
    Stephanie smiled. “I’m glad you guys are letting me be a part of this. It means a lot to me. Abe is still a little worried, and I can tell that you two are as well, but I’m okay. I’ve