Welcome
Song: Surround You by Echosmith
Such a beautiful song. When I listen to it, I think of Chris and reader's entire relationship since they met. I picture him, watching her in awe in the dim light of the bowling alley as she talks with Seb the night they met. Their friendship, laughing together, affectionate glances, cuddling, ALL THOSE CHEEK, HEAD AND FOREHEAD KISSES, him wanting her, him being hurt when her and Seb got together, him holding her when Seb died, her crawling into his bed with him to sleep in his arms for the first time since Seb passed. Him leaving, him coming back... I see them kissing when he returns... the first time they made love. I see him holding her from behind, rubbing her cute little baby bump, kissing her cheek with her hands over his while he does, seeing both their wedding rings. All the touches, kisses, love and protection he's given her... and now this chapter... and beyond. It's everything they've been through... It's THEIR SONG. It makes me cry. It wrecks me.
Listen to it before, listen to it during, listen to it after. It's so perfect.
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Shar and Steph were just finishing filling the birthing pool with warm water since you were dialated to a 5 last time Shar checked. Nat came into the room with a hot pack she'd just warmed in the microwave for you. She sat to your other side and handed it to Chris, then rubbed your upper back with a light hand as Chris placed the pack gently on your lower back.
You hummed, "Mmm. Thank you, love." He kissed your head again and stroked your arm in response.
"Okay,", Shar entered the room. "Let's check you again, sweetie." She placed a hand on your back and waited for your consent.
"Kay,", you breathed, not moving "go ahead."
She proceeded, "Oh, my. You're at a six already. I'll check you again in five minutes. I think you're moving faster now. May not be much longer."
She checked you again after five minutes and you were dialated to seven. "Everybody in the pool!", she chirped. "Won't be long now!"
Chris went to the restroom to change into his swim trunks as Shar and Nat walked you to the small pool and got you in with only your sports bra on. The pool was small enough that Shar could reach you to assist when needed, no matter how you might be positioned. The warm water was so soothing, surrounding your whole body as you lowered into it.
When Chris came out you were sitting on your heels, knees open, hunched over the side. Nat was holding your hands as you were having another contraction, humming through it again. He crouched down, taking Nat's place, who then sat in one of the chairs against the wall. "Hey, baby,", he cooed, "sorry I'm late.", he smiled softly, referring to not being there when the contraction started.
You huffed out a small chuckle and lifted your head to kiss his lips, "I forgive you."
He waited for the contraction to pass with his forehead to yours and then asked, "Can I come in?"
You started to straighten to give him room, taking a deep breath, "Yes, please."
He kissed your head, stood and stepped in. You turned to lay back against his chest once he sat. He held you and lovingly rubbed soft cirlcles over either side of your belly, his cheek against your head, "I'm so proud of you, little love. You're doing so well. We get to meet him soon. I'm so excited."
"Me too.", you breathed, smiling, your stomach fluttering at the thought.
Shar positioned herself in front of you on her knees outside the pool, "Okay, (Y/N), one more check..." She felt inside you, then continued, "You're water still hasn't broken yet, so I need to do it. You won't feel anything, okay? Easy peasy."
You nodded as Steph handed her something that looked like a crochet hook. She inserted it, made a small movement, removed the tool, then handed it back to Steph and felt with her fingers again, "Okay, we're in and you are at an 8, young lady. Things should go pretty quickly now."
That was no lie; another contraction hit you quickly and this one was stronger than any that had come before. You lifted your hips, groaned, trying to breath evenly through it, gripping Chris's hands, fingers interlaced, your eyes squeezing shut. "Ah! God!" Your voice then came out nearly a growl, "Oooooooh." You then whimpered and panted.
"There we go.", Shar said low. "I know, sweetie, it's rough now, but it's gonna go quick. Your baby will be here soon."
Chris spoke softly against your ear, holding his arms steady so you could push against his hands with your own, "Okay, baby, okay. It'll be over in a moment. Just hang on."
Once it was over you whined slightly, "I need to get on my knees,", you started to get up, Chris helping you.
Shar spoke, "Turn around and I can press on your lower back to ease it."
You turned, now facing Chris who was also on his knees, sitting back on his heels, close to you. He wrapped his arms around your ribs to hold your upper body close to him. He put his forehead to yours and whispered, "I love you, beautiful."
You whispered back, "I love you, Chris."
He kissed your forehead and a few more moments later your respite was already over, another wave of agony washing over you. You face twisted, your head dropped to his shoulder and you started panting. "I feel like I need to push!", you cried out, gripping at the back of Chris's neck, the other hand grasping his bicep.
He laid his head against yours as Shar warned, "Not yet. You have to be fully dialated, sweetie."
"Ah, Jesus.", you muttered, breath labored through the remaining pain.
She checked you again, "Almost!" She actually kept her fingers there so she could give you the green light as soon as possible.
You were panting, and whimpering under your breath, your head hanging, shaking it side to side slightly. You were starting to cry, "I can't- I can't do this."
Chris's voice came out commanding as he dipped his head, still holding you, "Look at me."
"I can't..."
"(Y/N), look at me, baby."
You lifted your head, tears in your eyes. He put his forehead to yours, "You can do this, my little love. I'm right here. I've got you. Everyone's here for you. You're not alone. You're strong. Our son wants to meet you. You can do this, okay?"
Your sobs were catching and the tears were streaming down your cheeks as you nodded against his head. The next contraction hit and you cried out, burying your face in his neck.
Shar removed her hand and called out, "Push, (Y/N). Go! Push!"
You bore down and gave it all you had in you... and then burning at your opening came. You threw your head back, "Ahhhh! Jesus Christ! It burns!"
Chris winced at your words.
"It burns 'cause he's crowning, (Y/N). His head is coming. You're doing perfect, hon. Keep pushing and push whenever you feel you need to now.", Shar assured.
You gave one more good push and the pressure lessened slightly as Shar stated, "Head's out. A few more pushes should do it. You're doing great."
"I need a second.", you were feeling so weak.
Chris looked down, saw the top of the baby's head in the shadows between your legs. He let out a soft chortle, his eyes glistening with tears, "I can see him."
You touched the side of your head to his and panted into his ear, "Catch."
"What?", he asked.
"Catch our son, Chris."
You could hear his breath getting jagged with emotion and anxiousness. He was shaking so slightly as he removed his arms from your ribs, your hands staying on his shoulders for support. He reached down and gently cradled the baby's head in his hands. He was touching his son. He took in a sharp breath, getting choked up and he whispered, feeling overwhelmed at the experience, "Oh my God."
You felt the urge to push again and strained; groaning, whimpering and panting as you did.
Shar rushed around to behind Chris, her hand on his upper back to coach him, "Keep one hand under his head and neck, Chris. Support his body with the other as he slides out." She kneeled so she could supervise.
He nodded, finding his confidence quickly, "Okay."
Steph had already stepped into the pool barefoot, pants rolled up, ready to support you from behind once the baby was out.
"Keep pushing, (Y/N). This is the home stretch. Just a couple more.", Shar urged.
You pushed again and the baby started moving outward... painfully slow as the shoulders began to work their way out, "Ah, God.", you huffed. You knew you needed to push harder, but you were getting tired.
Your forehead was against Chris's again as he looked into your eyes and encouraged you, "He's almost here, baby. One more. Just one more. You can do it."
His words gave you the strength you needed. You took a long, deep breath and bore down hard and pushed for as long and as strong as you possibly could, willing your body to spend every ounce of energy it had left. All that overwhelming pressure left you in a whoosh... and he was out.
You let out a relieved and joyous sob as Chris scooped him up out of the water and handed him to you quickly as you started to sit back on your heels, Steph ready to support you if needed. The tears came for you and Chris quickly. He wrapped his arms gently around you and kissed your head as you held your son against your chest and he started making tiny grunts and whimpers. Chris whispered, "God, I love you so much, baby. He's beautiful." He moved to behind you and Steph gave him the space. He sat back against the side of the pool and guided you to sit back against his front.
You were sobbing softly as Chris held you with one arm, looking over your shoulder and stroked the baby's head with a tender hand. You could hear and feel his breath catching with emotion against your back as you cooed to your baby, his eyes still closed, his tiny body wiggling around a bit, "Hi, my sweet boy."
Shar came to finish clearing his airway and he let out a tiny, but shrill cry. "Oh!", you exclaimed. "He's got a good set of lungs." You all chuckled.
You looked at Nat and her hands were over her mouth and nose, she was full blown crying. She stood and came to you, kneeling and stroking your hair, "Good job, mama. He's gorgeous." She smiled lovingly and sniffed.
"Thank you.", you returned.
"Hey, I helped- ...with the gorgeous part.", Chris interjected and there were soft chuckles.
Nat smiled, "Good job, Dad."
He returned her expression.
Once the cord had been cut and taken care of, you attempted to let the baby nurse for a while, still in the pool with Chris. He tried latching on for a few moments and then fell asleep in your arms.
"Little dude's exhausted.", Shar cooed. "You can try again soon, sweetie. Being born is hard work."
The three of you got out and took a warm shower together to get cleaned up. Chris had a hard time letting you hold the baby in the shower, he had waited so long to hold him, he just didn't want to stop. So you washed the tiny boy gently as Chris supported his sleeping little balled up body against his warm chest, his large hands surrounding him. You guessed Chris's heartbeat would comfort your son and have the same sleep inducing effect for him as it always had on you.
You then got out, dried off and changed into clean clothes. Chris put a diaper on the baby and you all settled into the bed, you propped up on pillows with him on your chest. You tried to nurse the baby once more, but he just wasn't staying awake, so you swaddled him tightly with Shar's help and just held him. Chris was settled on an elbow next to you, just admiring his son lovingly and stroking his downy hair. He glanced at you, smiling softly... so much love in his eyes, "You were phenomenal, sweetheart. I love you so much." He leaned in and kissed your lips, so gently.
Your stomach fluttered and you smiled back, "I love you, Chris."
He went back to gazing at your son. That look on his face made you want to do this all over again. But... maybe you'd give it some time first.
Nat came in and asked if everyone could come see the baby now. They had known when the he was born; they did, after all, hear your loud noises during delivery and then shortly after, Nat confirmed it. But, they had been waiting patiently until you and Chris had had sufficient bonding time alone with him first. You agreed and she beamed brightly before leaving the room.
Everyone shuffled in, their faces bright. They all gathered around the sides of the bed to get a closer look as Chris, stroked the baby's head again, grinning proudly and said, "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Connor Sebastian Evans."
You looked at Chris and smiled, your eyes filling with tears... as were his. He smiled softly and kissed your lips.
Everyone started to tear up a little over this sweet tiny human that had joined their ranks and in remembering his namesake.
Sam slapped both hands on Chris's shoulders, from behind him and gave him a shake as Chris chuckled and smiled, "Congrats, Daddy." He tilted his head at you, "And pretty mama."
"Thank you.", you beamed.
Everyone said their congrats as Chris took the baby and stood, giving everyone a more intimate hello and a few holding him. Once everyone had visited, they all trickled out and headed home intermittently after some chatting.
Shar made you and Chris loaded turkey and avocado sandwiches for dinner as Steph broke everything down and cleaned up, Shar helping her after she served you both in bed. Shar had even offered to stay the night. You accepted since you were a first time mom and could use the help... you really had no idea what you were doing.
Steph headed home and Chris got the rail installed on the bed and got Shar set up for the night. She insisted on sleeping on the couch in the living room to be closer than the guest room in the basement to help you, should you need it in the night.
You and Chris were ready for bed early; it was a long day. Shar stayed up and watched TV in the living room for a while after she had helped you to successfully nurse Connor for a few minutes. Chris had only gone to brush his teeth and pee after holding Connor to allow you to do the same first. Once he came back to the bedroom, you were already out with Little Man cuddled in a ball on his belly atop your bra clad chest, your hand over his back.
Chris's heart swelled... everything was so perfect.
He climbed into the bed gently and nestled up against you. On his elbow, he pulled the covers up over Connor's back and kissed his plump little cheek, "I love you, son."
He then kissed your forehead, "I love you, baby. You were amazing today."
He laid down and nuzzled against your cheek. He stroked the baby's hand gingerly that laid on your chest and Connor lifted it, stretching it open. Chris put his pinky against his tiny palm and Connor gripped it tightly.
Chris smiled softly and rested his hand on your chest, before closing his eyes and drifting off. 'Everything is so perfect.'