Page 49 of A Bride for Brodie

She suddenly felt the next one. It was quick, not even a minute since the last one stopped.

Lottie pushed and bore down for about thirty seconds and then rested. She did this again and again until the baby’s head popped out.

Doc turned his gaze up to her. “Okay, looks like you have a little blonde. Are you ready to find out what? Well, you better be, because you need to get the rest of this little one out.”

“Ahhh. God help me, this hurts.”

Brodie put his hands on hers. “Hold on to my hands, sweetheart. Squeeze them as hard as you want, as you need to ease you.”

She squeezed as hard as she could while bearing down. Then she stopped, rested and pushed when the next contraction hit.

This went on for about five minutes before she felt the baby slip from her body.

Doc caught the infant. “You have a beautiful little girl. I would bet she’ll look just like her mama.” He waited about thirty seconds, then clamped the umbilical cord and cut it close to the infant’s belly. “Okay, Agatha, this little one is yours.” He turned his attention back to Lottie. “We still have to deliver the afterbirth, then I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Okay, Doc. Let me know what I have to do.” Lottie lay back on the pillows and rested for a while.

Brodie leaned down and kissed Lottie on the lips. “Thank you, my love, for my daughter.”

Lottie smiled up at him. “You’re welcome.”

“Okay, I’m going to help you deliver the afterbirth.” He supported her womb while she pushed and he pulled the cord. It didn’t take long, and the doctor placed it in the bucket he’d brought with him. “I expect to see you three in one week in my office.”

“We’ll be there, Doc.”

“See you then.” The doctor left the room carrying his bag and the bucket of afterbirth.

Agatha brought the baby over and laid her in her mother’s arms. “Here you go, Mama. She’s a beautiful little blonde, just like you.” She leaned down and kissed Lottie on the forehead. “Good job. Now, let’s change your bed and you, then I’ll let you three have some time before I let anyone come up.”

Brodie helped Lottie stand for a minute. Then he held the baby while Agatha took off Lottie’s nightgown and helped her into a brand new one that Brodie had bought her.

After that, Agatha stripped the bed and put on clean sheets. Then she helped Lottie back into bed.

Brodie laid the baby into Lottie’s arms before he walked Agatha to the door.

Thank you, so much for being here for both Lottie and me.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

She blushed. “Go on now. Be with your family.”

He nodded, closed and locked the door after her and then returned to the bed.

Lottie had moved to the middle and patted the bed next to her.

Brodie took off his boots and lay down beside her.

The downy hair on the baby’s head was nearly dry and was so blonde she looked almost bald.

“She looks just like you.” Awe filled Brodie’s voice.

Lottie didn’t look up but kept her gaze on her baby. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

“She really is. Who’d have thought we could make someone so precious?” Brodie began to unwrap her. “I want to see all of her. Count her fingers and toes. See her little legs.”

Lottie laughed. “Me, too. Here let me.” She carefully unwrapped the swaddling and saw all of her daughter for the first time. She was the most exquisite, cherished person Lottie had ever seen, and she loved her with all her heart. Just the thought of how much made her heart ache.