The corner of his mouth ticked up. “If you’re happy now, about to push out a bairn, then wait until later. I’ll show you happiness you couldn’t dream of.”
She smiled. “I can’t tell if you’re being cocky or sincere.”
He grinned. “You’ll just have to wait to find out.”
Damn, Fergus was too attractive for his own good when he grinned with mischief dancing in his eyes. Maybe she could coax that grin out more often.
Gina opened her mouth to tease him when another contraction hit. Pain cut across her lower abdomen and she barely prevented herself from cursing out every person in the room.
Holly commanded, “Push, Gina!”
Gripping Fergus’s hand, she pushed as hard as she could, stretching parts of her she didn’t want to think about. The pain was finally too much and she screamed. Please let this be over soon.
After what seemed like an hour, the contraction finally ceased. Gina relaxed onto the bed with a huge sigh. She wasn’t looking forward to doing that again.
Holly ordered, “Don’t push again until the next one, no matter how much you may want to do so.”
Fergus mopped her brow with a cloth and Gina managed to ask, “Is he nearly here? Please tell me he’s nearly here.”
Holly smiled at her. “I see the crown of his head. I think he might be a ginger.”
“I’d been hoping he would,” Gina replied.
Fergus brushed her brow and met her eyes. “Who needs the Three Musketeers when we can be the Three Gingers?”
She tried to laugh, but it hurt and Gina sucked in a breath. Holly’s voice filled her ear. “Don’t make her laugh, Fergus.” Fergus mumbled something Gina couldn’t interpret and Holly continued, “Gina, getting back to your son. You’re a strong lass. I think one more push should do it.”
Fergus kissed her hand. “Nearly there, Gina.”
Between Holly and Fergus’s calm, steady voices, Gina prevented herself from yelling, crying, or who the hell knew what at the thought of pushing a tiny person out of her vagina.
At least she no longer felt the urge to simultaneously punch every man in the dick while also wanting to hold Fergus close and draw on his strength. She was merely determined to be done.
She couldn’t wait to be not pregnant anymore. And not just because she yearned to hold her son in her arms—Gina wanted to regain her true self again without the influence of hormones.
After a few deep breaths, Gina answered her mate. She needed a distraction until the contraction finally came. “Speaking of our son, I’ve been thinking about his name.”
“Oh, aye?”
“I want to call him Jamie, after your dad.”
A soft sound escaped from near the bottom of the bed. Looking down, Lorna had her hand over her mouth. Clearing her throat, Lorna lowered her hand, “Wait until you meet your son, first, child. Jamie may not even suit him.”
Everyone always spoke of Lorna’s strength, but in that moment, Gina saw a flicker of longing and loneliness. Lorna MacKenzie missed her husband still.
Maybe she could help the woman find happiness again. After all, Gina was fairly certain she and Ross had a connection.
Before she could think any more on it, another contraction twisted her insides.
Hearing Holly’s, “Push,” Gina fought past the pain to push with all of her might. It’s time to join the world, son. Don’t keep us waiting.
She barely heard Fergus murmuring reassurances and focused every iota of her being on getting the giant child out of her body. She didn’t care if he was the smallest baby ever birthed on Lochguard—he was fucking huge to her right now.
She alternated between screaming and gritting her teeth. Come. Out. Baby. After who knew how much time had passed, the baby slipped from her body. The next few seconds of silence were the longest of her life until a small cry filled the room.
Holly worked quickly and soon held up her boy. “Your big, braw son has arrived.”
Blinking back tears, Gina held out her arms. “Can I hold him?”