I narrowed my eyes at Roger when he came upstairs about forty-five minutes later. "Are you going to behave better now?" I asked, my voice tense.

"Yup," he said, leaning in the doorway with a lazy smile.

I started to laugh, looking at his too-loose attire. "Is it because you're drunk?" My eyes shifted to Sinclair as he appeared in the doorway behind his brother. "Seriously, did you get him drunk?"

Sinclair, holding Rafe, simply shrugged, a secret smile playing on his lips.

"I'm only," Roger said, stepping into the room and holding up a hand with his thumb and forefinger close together, "a very tiny bit drunk. Just something to steady my nerves."

Ella laughed beside me before sliding off the bed.

"All right, then," she said, gesturing to me as she moved around the bed and took Rafe from Sinclair. "Take your spot, Roger. And stop freaking her out, okay?"

"I promise," Roger mumbled, giving Ella a sloppy salute before climbing onto the bed.

"We'll be downstairs," Ella said when I looked at her. "Just call, and we'll be right up. Okay?"

I nodded, smiling, grateful for her presence. Beyond her ability to heal me instantly, it was simply nice having my sister nearby.

Roger sighed as he settled into the spot beside me and tucked his legs under the blankets. He turned to me, his face serious. "I'm sorry, Cora," he said quietly.

"Thank you," I said, my anger fading as I saw his sincerity. I lifted a hand to his cheek, wanting to touch him, wanting him close.

"I just love you so much—"

"I get it," I said, nodding.

He nodded, capturing my hand and kissing it. "But I didn't listen to you. Sinclair made me sit down and listen—which he shouldn't have had to do, so I'm sorry about that. But he explained that you need to be the one freaking out today. So, I have to just… be steady. Is that right?"

"It's closer," I said quietly, studying him. "I mean, Roger, it's not that you can't feel afraid too—I get that it's a big day—"

He nodded in agreement. "But I was taking all the air out of the room. I'm sorry, Cora—you're right, we had a plan, we should just trust it. Everything's going to be fine, yeah?"

"Yeah," I said, a small smile appearing as he slipped an arm around my back, pulling me close.

"How far apart are the contractions?" he asked, looking down at my belly and stroking it gently.

"Still five minutes," I answered, my voice quiet. "Or, maybe a little faster now? Four and a half?"

"Cool, cool," he said, feigning a calmness he didn't feel. "That's all very cool…" Suddenly, I started to laugh.

"What?" Roger asked, grinning at me.

"You're just very sweet, Roger Sinclair," I murmured, taking his cheeks in my hands and kissing him. "Trying to do everything right."

"Well, I have to try, don't I," he murmured against my lips, kissing me back. "I'm going to be a dad in a few hours."

"To a real cutie," I said, leaning back and smiling down at my belly. I bit my lip, feeling significantly calmer, and starting to feel… well, maybe a little excited, alongside being terrified. "Do you think he'll have any hair?"

"Nah, completely bald," Roger murmured, thoughtlessly tucking his head close to mine and inhaling my scent, "like an old man." I laughed again, harder this time.

"And what color do you think his eyes will be?" I asked.

"Purple," he replied, making me click my tongue and glare at him.

"How would that even be possible!?"

He grinned. "These are goddess grandchildren," he said.

"Anything is possible. The baby could have wings."

"That," I said, rolling my eyes, "would have shown up on an ultrasound."

"But purple eyes," he said, holding up a finger, "would not."

"Ridiculous," I sighed, but I was smiling as I snuggled close to him. I smiled for a second, before the next contraction started. "Oh boy," I said, sitting up, a hand moving low on my stomach. "Here we go." Roger tensed beside me but did his best to stay quiet, his eyes on me throughout the contraction. He kept his arms around me until the pain subsided.

"All right?" he said quietly.

"Yeah," I said, looking at him. I smiled, returning my hand to his cheek. "I hope the baby's eyes are just like yours," I murmured.

"Nah," he said, smirking. "Big brown ones, like his mom. That would be best."

"Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see," I replied, dropping my hand from his cheek and intertwining our fingers.

"Maybe we can get the baby to hurry up," Roger murmured, turning his attention to the bond between us and the baby.

I laughed, focusing on the bond as well. "Nah, don't rush him," I sighed. "He'll come on his own time."

"Poor kid," Roger said, sighing as he sent love, comfort, and reassurance to the baby and me. "He's all uncomfortable, cooped up in there."

"Well, tell him we've got a nice big crib for him out here," I said, laughing.

"Whenever he's ready to make his appearance."

"Come on, kid," Roger murmured. "Any time you want, we're ready." And honestly, for the first time, I agreed. I was finally ready to bring our baby into the world with a slightly tipsy Roger at my side.

Unfortunately, the baby took his time. The whole day passed, and dusk darkened our windows before my contractions intensified. By then, the house was bustling with family and medical professionals to ensure everything went smoothly.

One person was missing when I was almost ready to push. I smiled when he stood at my bedroom door.

"Hey, Cora," Hank said, smiling with genuine happiness and pride.

"Hank!" Ella exclaimed, turning, her face lighting up.

"Are you kidding me!?" Roger burst out, kneeling beside me and looking between Hank and me with an appalled expression.

"Roger!" I gasped, momentarily distracted from the pain as nurses bustled around, preparing everything. "You will apologize to Hank!"

"Why is he here!?" Roger shouted, his frantic anxiety returning now that his buzz had worn off.

"Hank is the most respected doctor in the city!" I hissed, "and our friend!"

"And your ex!"

"And!" I pointed a finger in his face, glaring even as my breath came short with the next contraction, "he saved Ella's life like four times! And Rafe's! So, he's here!"

Roger growled but then sat back on the rubberized sheets, giving in and glaring around the room.

"Nice to see you too, Rog," Hank said, leaning against the doorframe and grinning. "Man, I didn't think I would, but I missed the Sinclair drama—"

Ella laughed and hugged Hank as I panted through my contractions.

"How far apart are your contractions, Cora?" Hank asked, staying at the door.

I groaned, glancing at Ella and nodding for her to answer as I clung to Roger's hand.

"She's less than two minutes apart," Ella said, cheerfully considering my pain.

"Well, it sounds like you're ready, but I'm not an obstetrician," Hank said with a shrug. "I'm just here in case of an emergency. Is there somewhere I can…"

"Downstairs," Ella said, waving him off. "Go have a cigar and brandy with the men."

Hank wished me luck as he left, but I barely heard as I tipped my head back onto the pillow, panting as the contraction subsided.

"All right, Mrs. Sinclair," the head nurse said from Roger's other side. "It's time to push. Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied, glancing at Ella and Roger, who I'd asked to stay. Ella gave me an excited smile, and Roger gave me a tense, heartfelt nod.

I exhaled and steadied myself as I began to push.