Sweet Release (57 page)

“I can see the top of the baby’s head. It has lots of dark hair.” Takotah pressed a warm cloth against Cassie’s sex, bringing her blessed relief. “It won’t be long now.”

“It’s almost over, love,” Alec murmured.

When the next pang came Cassie felt as though she would be split in two. “Oh, God, it hurts!”

“Squeeze my hands, Cassie,” Alec said. “Squeeze my hands as hard as you can.”

Cassie felt certain she would be torn asunder, and let out a ragged scream. Then, suddenly, the pain lessened, and Cassie opened her eyes to find herself looking at her baby’s tiny face, its head finally free of her body.

“Oh, Alec!”

But Alec said nothing, and Cassie looked up to see him, eyes wide, staring in amazement into their child’s face.

Suddenly Cassie was laughing. Or maybe she was crying—she couldn’t tell which. And with another push the pain was gone. With a whimper and then a howl, Cassie and Alec’s son announced his arrival in the world, drawing relieved laughter from Nan and Elizabeth. Takotah gently handed the wet, naked newborn to his mother.

Nan opened the door and shouted down the stairway, “It’s a boy! And ‘e’s a sight more handsome than ye two!”

In awe, Cassie held her baby to her breast, then felt him begin to suck greedily, the new sensation startling her. “He’s beautiful.” She gazed in wonderment into the little blue eyes that looked back at her and stroked his downy hair.

“Not as beautiful as you.”

Tears streamed unnoticed down her cheeks. Cassie watched as Alec gently took one tiny hand in his. The baby wrapped his little fingers around the tip of Alec’s thumb.

“I know we talked about naming him after you, but...” Cassie winced as Takotah pushed on her belly to help deliver the afterbirth. “But I’ve changed my mind.”

Cassie had expected to see disappointment on Alec’s face but found only a gentle smile.

“And just what did you have in mind, my sweet?”

“Nicholas.” Cassie looked at the surprised faces around her.

“Nicholas Braden Kenleigh.”

Alec tossed back his head and laughed. “To tell you the truth,” he said, cradling her and the baby against his chest, “I had begun to grow rather fond of that name.”

“I love you, Alec.”

“And I you, my sweet.”