When Sam was dressed, and when they were all in the truck, Valen drove. He left Harris to hold Sam, when Harris was all but shaking. Wasn’t like Valen wasn’t anxious, but between the three of them, Valen had it the best.
He wasn’t going to imagine what Sam or Landon dying. They would both make it through the birth fine, and in some hours, they were all going home, Harris and Valen and Sam, and their new baby.
It was the only way Valen could get them all safely to the hospital.
Harris held Sam through the admissions, and Valen backed them up, carrying the overnight bag. He’d filled it with everything—blankets for Sam, warm socks, puzzles, pictures.
Harris released a breath when Sam was dressed in the hospital gown, lying in the hospital bed. Valen slipped his hand into Harris’, found his palm sweaty.
“Gods, Big H. You’re shaking.”
Even Sam looked over, his forehead furrowed. “I’ll be fine, Harris.”
Harris’ throat worked. “Yeah, I know.”
Valen pressed his thumb to Harris’ wrist, felt Harris’ pulse jump against his skin. “You don’t believe he will, though.”
Harris sat down heavily in the plastic chair, running his hand over his face. “Can’t help it.”
Sam winced again, his arm cradled around his belly. Harris’ pulse sped up. Valen grimaced. It wasn’t like he could give Harris an answer. Couldn’t stop Sam from having contractions.
Valen climbed into the bed next to Sam, holding him, stroking the sweat off his forehead. Kissed his temple. “You’re gonna be fine,” Valen said, dragging his wrist down Sam’s jaw. “You’re gonna give birth to a big, healthy baby.”
Sam laughed shakily, gasping for breath. “Yeah. It just... hurts so much.”
The contractions were coming more frequently now, and Valen half-thought the doctor would be in any moment, telling them the baby would be born.
Instead, the midwife knocked on the door, beaming at them.
She was an older omega, crow’s feet at her eyes, a friendly smile on her face. She smelled like pea flowers. “Sam Brentwood?” she asked, looking at the clipboard.
Sam nodded, giving her a weak smile. “That’s me.”
“Let’s check your heartbeat first,” the midwife said. “All comfortable?”
“I am.”
Valen slipped off the bed, bumping up against Harris. They watched as the midwife examined Sam, then monitored Landon’s heartbeat with a fetal stethoscope. Then she pulled a glove on. “I’ll need you to pull your knees up, Sam,” she said. “I’ll be reaching inside to check how dilated you are.”
Sam pulled his legs up, and Valen watched as the midwife probed him inside.
A growl rumbled in his chest. Mine, Valen wanted to say. Don’t touch him.
Harris gripped Valen’s hand, his eyes narrowed. Wasn’t just Valen feeling possessive, then.
“Ah, you’re very relaxed,” the midwife said with some surprise.
Sam blushed a dark red, and Valen wanted to roar. I did that, he wanted to say. Big H and I claimed him together. Still couldn’t believe that had happened.
“You’re at 1 CM so far,” the midwife said, withdrawing her hand. “It’ll be a bit more of a wait with this one.”
Sam sighed. The midwife jotted down her notes on Sam’s clipboard, made sure he was comfortable, then left the room.
“Mine,” Valen growled, climbing onto the bed with Sam. He stroked his wrists down Sam’s legs, up his belly.
“She was just doing her job,” Sam said. But he grinned, his cheeks dark.
Harris sat on the other side of Sam, breathing in deep. Valen studied him. “Feeling better, Big H?”
“Not really.” Harris cracked a smile. “But I figured I should stop standing around being afraid.”
Valen cheered up. That was the Big H he knew and admired.
Sam brightened, lacing his fingers together with Harris’. “We’re here, Harris. Things will be okay.”
Harris pressed a kiss to Sam’s lips, leaning their foreheads together. He breathed in, then out. Let his shoulders relax. “Yeah,” Harris finally said. “Things will be okay.”
It would be a long wait for their baby, and they were only just settling in.
Three hours later, Harris was pacing by Sam’s bedside. “I can’t believe how long this is taking.”
“You should know, shouldn’t you?” Valen grumbled, antsy too. He wasn’t fond of waiting. Especially when Harris had forbidden him from giving Sam a blowjob right there in bed.
Harris turned with a glare. “Don’t talk about that, V.”
“Fine, I won’t.” Valen squirmed on Sam’s bed, burying his face in Sam’s neck. “Just takes so long. I can’t do anything but wait.”
Sam rubbed Valen’s back. “It’ll be at least a few more hours yet.”
Valen groaned, dragging his hands down Sam’s belly. “C’mon, Landon. You can do it! Crawl out of your dad’s belly!”
“That’s not possible.” Harris stepped over, smacking Valen lightly in the arm. “Gods, you’re impatient.”
“So are you.” Valen snuggled up with Sam in bed, winding their legs together. Under the blankets, he slipped his hand down between Sam’s legs. Sam’s throat worked.
“V,” Harris said, frowning.
Valen looked innocently up at him. “Are you saying that because you need some release, too?”
Harris folded his arms, huffing. “No, I don’t think so.”
“I think he is,” Sam whispered, smiling mischievously. “Maybe you should take him away for a bit, Valen.”
“No, we’re not leaving you,” Valen said.
“Yeah, that’s a given.” Harris narrowed his eyes.
“No one’s stopping you from doing things here.” Sam raised his eyebrows.
“Gods, we’re not making this “A Hundred Ways to Have Sex’,” Harris muttered. His cheeks turned pink. “‘Specially not here.”
“What if I asked?” Sam said. Then he batted his eyelashes, and Valen was swayed. It wasn’t like anyone would see—this was a private room, with just the three of them.
“No,” Harris said. “Let’s watch some TV.”
“Fine,” Valen said. Sam shook his head at both of them.
Another four hours later, Sam’s contractions were coming faster. They would descend minutes apart, and Sam would pant, his face scrunched, his hand crushing Valen’s fingers. He’d curled up on his side on the bed, one arm around his belly, cursing.
“If I get pregnant another time, I swear,” Sam panted, his hair matted with sweat. “Someone’s balls are coming
