Three or Not

“You really need to push, Luna. Harder!”

Goodness! These people have easy talking. What do they think I've been doing for half an hour? I'm exhausted, this is heavier than I thought.

Zane sits next to my bed and looks concerned.

“You have to do your best, baby. We should have our first pup in five minutes. I know it's a lot of work, but you must be strong now," he whispers as he wipes the sweat from my forehead.

We've been in the hospital all night. The pups don't seem to be in any hurry to come out. But the last quarter is the worst. The fall of the first one is slow, the doctor considers helping him. But Zane wants to keep trying to let him into the world on his own. He leans towards me. “Remember how we will hold him in our arms in a few minutes, Mercedes. We were so looking forward to this.”

I give him a watery smile. But when I look into his eyes, it seems like his energy flows to my body. Zane leans closer and begins to kiss my face. This feels so good, I sigh with h