Behind the Mask

Chapter 102

Owen's POV

"Sweetheart, I really don't think there's time," Sean tried reasoning with her.

Marissa whined, "Please...we can do the full ceremony after, but for now, please."

He looked around at all of us, uncertain of what to do. Before anyone could speak, Axel came striding into the room with a tall, regal-looking woman. He gave me a smirk and I nodded. "I hear we need to have a very quick wedding ceremony," the woman smiled as she reached out to take Marissa's hand. "Going out on a limb, but I assume you are the bride?" the woman asked in a heavy Italian accent.

A huge smile broke across her face as Marissa nodded. "And this is the groom," I said, pushing Sean forward.

He looked shocked and sputtered, "Owen, what are you doing? I thought..."

"No time dear husband. As our lovely queen said, we can do the full ceremony later. Right now, this woman wants to be Mrs. Green today." As if to punctuate my point, Marissa let out a loud cry as another contraction shot through her, and she gripped Sean's hand.

Everyone smiled and nodded their heads. We gathered around the bed as the woman began to recite the vows. Despite the circumstances, Marissa still looked beautiful, her smile lit up the room as the woman had them exchange rings - which Gabe conveniently pulled from his pocket without hesitation - and she pronounced them husband and wife.

Sean pressed a kiss to her lips, "I love you, Mrs. Green."

"I love you too, Dr. Green," she winced, "Can I push now?"

We all chuckled as he nodded and checked her again, "Okay my lovely wife, on the next contraction I want you to push hard while I count back from ten. I need two of you to hold her legs while Victor supports her back." Without discussion, we moved into position. Victor was behind her on the bed, while North and Silas held her legs. Gabe was our resident photographer, while Corey filmed. The rest of us were moral support including Dominic who we had all recently proposed to. She groaned and Sean said, "Push Marissa," then began counting back from ten. She gasped for air when he stopped. "Good girl, you're almost there," he praised her as Victor brushed her hair back from her face.

Another hour had passed when Sean looked up at her, "Marissa, I think we might need to consider a C-section."

She shook her head, "No. Unless she's in distress, I want to keep trying. I can do this, Sean." Her face was determined.

He continued to lock eyes with her for a bit longer then finally sighed. Wiping sweat from her forehead, he kissed her gently, "Stubborn woman," he muttered.

"But I'm your stubborn woman, husband," she winked then cried out in pain. "Ahhh...fuck! We're pushing now," she growled. She screamed loudly as she pushed and was rewarded with the shrill cries of our daughter in Sean's arms.

"She's beautiful, just like her mama," Sean sobbed as he cut the cord and handed her to me.

I gently wiped her off a little, then placed her on Marissa's chest, "She's amazing, mia bella regina." I pressed a kiss to her forehead, then the baby's. "Welcome la nostra piccola principessa," I cooed softly to our daughter.

"Hey there Aurora," Marissa sobbed softly, "I'm your mama and these are all your daddies." She kissed her head and one by one, each of us kissed the baby and said our greeting.

A nurse took Aurora to weigh and check her on the side of the room while Marissa delivered the placenta and Sean cleaned her up. Raven moved a recliner near the bed, then began ushering everyone out. "Mama and Daddy Sean need some private bonding time," he told all of us.

Just before I stepped out, I snapped a picture of the three of them cuddled on the bed. Both of them were looking down at Aurora lovingly, their arms around her as Sean's lips were pressed to Marissa's head.

This was the happy ending they deserved - that we all deserved. 

Author's Notes:  Thanks for coming along on this journey with me!  I'll be taking a writing break for a bit.  

Blessings, my lovelies!