"I need you to push." Dr. Silva's voice cut through the fog. Leighton couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. The pain was everywhere. Swallowing her whole. "I can't." Her voice came out broken. Weak. "Yes you can." Noah's hand gripped hers. Too tight. Hurting her. She didn't tell him to stop. "Look at me, Leigh. Look at me." She turned her head. Found his eyes. Terrified. But steady. "You can do this," he said. "You're the strongest person I know." Another contraction hit. Ripped through her body. She screamed. Couldn't help it. The sound tore out of her. "That's it," Dr. Silva said. "Channel that. Push through it. Baby A is right there." She pushed. Used every ounce of strength she had left. Her body felt like it was splitting apart. Breaking. Dying. "Good. Again. One more big push." She bore down. Pushed harder. Felt something give. Felt pressure release. Then she heard it. A cry. Small. Angry. Perfect. "Baby A is here," Dr. Silva announced. "It's a boy." She collapsed back a
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