Safe Haven ~ ✨Aaron Hotchner✨

Chapter 41

The hospital doors slid open as Aaron pulled into the emergency entrance, his heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. He barely had the car in park before jumping out and rushing to Y/N's side. She was gripping the armrest, her breath coming in uneven pants as another contraction wracked her body.

A nurse spotted them immediately and hurried over with a wheelchair. "Labor?" she asked, already assessing the situation.

"Yes," Aaron answered quickly, wrapping an arm around Y/N's shoulders to support her. "Contractions are about three minutes apart, and they're getting stronger."

"We've got you, sweetheart," the nurse reassured as she helped Y/N into the chair. "Let's get you upstairs."

Y/N exhaled shakily, clutching Aaron's hand. The intensity of the contractions was beyond what she had felt at home—this wasn't just practice anymore. This was real.

Aaron grabbed the hospital bag from the backseat and jogged alongside them as they pushed her through the sliding doors. Jack trailed behind, his small legs working double-time to keep up, eyes wide with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

As they entered the maternity ward, Jessica arrived, breathless but smiling. "Jack, come here, sweetheart!" She crouched down and pulled him into a hug. "Mommy and Daddy need to focus now, okay?"

Jack clung to Aaron's leg for a moment before stepping back, his expression serious. "Take care of Mom," he told his dad, his voice small but firm.

Aaron crouched to his level, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I promise, buddy. I'll call you as soon as your baby sister is here."

Jack nodded, though he hesitated as Jessica led him away, looking over his shoulder one last time.

Then, the double doors swung shut, and Aaron turned back to Y/N, his full attention on her.

The labor and delivery room was bright, sterile, and buzzing with quiet efficiency. A nurse helped Y/N change into a hospital gown before settling her into the bed. The contractions had shifted from uncomfortable to unbearable, each one pulling a sharp cry from her lips.

Aaron was at her side in an instant, one hand stroking her hair while the other held her fingers between his. "You're doing amazing," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her damp forehead.

"This is as bad as the books made it sound," Y/N groaned, trying to breathe through another wave.

A doctor entered, flipping through her chart. "Let's check how far along you are."

Aaron stayed beside her as the doctor examined her.

"You're at six centimeters," the doctor announced. "You're making good progress. Would you like an epidural?"

Aaron looked down at Y/N, waiting for her answer.

She hesitated, gripping the bedsheets as another contraction rolled through her. "Not yet," she finally said through gritted teeth. "I'll wait a little longer."

The doctor nodded. "We'll check again soon. Let us know if you change your mind."

Y/N exhaled heavily, her head falling back against the pillow. Aaron brushed a stray hair from her face. "You're incredible," he whispered.

She gave a weak laugh. "I feel like I'm being ripped in half."

Hours passed in a haze of pain, controlled breathing, and whispered reassurances. Aaron never left her side; his steady presence was the only thing anchoring her. He massaged her lower back when the contractions worsened, whispered encouragement between each wave, and ensured she drank water when she could.

Finally, Y/N clenched Aaron's wrist with a grip that could break bones. "Okay," she gasped, her voice tight with pain. "I changed my mind—epidural. Now."

Aaron pressed the call button immediately.

Once the epidural took effect, Y/N let out a long breath, her body finally relaxing. "That's so much better," she murmured, the tension easing from her face.

Aaron kissed the back of her hand. "Try to rest," he said softly. "You need your energy."

Y/N nodded, her eyelids fluttering shut.

Aaron stayed awake, watching the monitors, listening to the steady rhythm of their daughter's heartbeat. He had seen plenty of life-and-death situations before, but nothing compared to this—the anticipation, the helplessness, the overwhelming love already filling his chest.

Hours later, Y/N gasped, her body tensing. "Aaron," she breathed, her voice laced with urgency. "I think she's coming."

Aaron pressed the call button again, his pulse spiking. Within seconds, the doctor and nurses rushed in.

"Alright, let's check—" The doctor's eyes widened. "You're fully dilated! It's time to push."

The air shifted instantly, and the room's atmosphere became charged with energy. The nurses moved quickly, adjusting the bed, positioning Y/N, and preparing for delivery. Aaron squeezed her hand, his other hand brushing damp strands of hair from her face.

"You've got this," he murmured, his voice steady even as his heart pounded.

Y/N let out a shaky breath, nodding.

"Okay, Y/N," the doctor instructed. "With the next contraction, I want you to take a deep breath and push."

The contraction hit like a freight train. Y/N clenched her jaw and bore down, a guttural groan escaping her lips.

Aaron's throat tightened as he watched, his heart aching with how hard she was fighting. "That's it, sweetheart," he whispered. "Almost there."

"Again," the doctor instructed.

Y/N's body shook with the effort, her fingers digging into Aaron's as she pushed again, harder this time.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, each second filled with determination, pain, and raw emotion. Aaron never let go of her hand, whispering encouragement, wiping away sweat, and pressing kisses to her forehead between pushes.

Then, finally—

A sharp, piercing cry filled the air.

Aaron let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his vision blurring as he looked down at their newborn daughter.

"She's here," the doctor announced, lifting a tiny, squirming baby into view.

Y/N collapsed back against the pillows, tears streaking down her flushed cheeks. "Oh my God," she gasped, reaching weakly for their daughter.

The nurse placed the baby against Y/N's chest, the newborn's cries softening as she felt her mother's warmth.

Aaron swallowed past the lump in his throat, his hands shaking slightly as he reached out to brush a fingertip against the baby's impossibly tiny hand.

"She's perfect," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Y/N looked up at him, her expression one of exhaustion, love, and utter joy. "We did it," she breathed.

Aaron nodded, his chest so full it ached. "Yes but, you did most of it."

Their daughter let out a small, content sigh, her tiny fingers curling around Aaron's.

And in that moment, surrounded by the quiet hum of the hospital room, Aaron knew—this was everything. Their family was finally complete.