Shout out to last chapter's commenters: @themckenziefrenzy @FredWeasleyswife1999 @jueka1

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I was breathless when I got to the hospital. My heart pounding in my chest as I half walked, half ran through the hallways towards the birthing centre.

Tyler had texted me the room, so there was no need to check in.

But as I arrived in the ward, I frantically looked around, not knowing where to go. We had only ever been to the maternity ward, not this part.

"You looked lost, love," one of the nurses said at the station. "Who are you looking for?"

"Lily Williams?" I asked, walking over to her.

Brows furrowing, she replied, "There's already a guy in there with her."

"That's her boyfriend. I'm the father."

"Very well. Head down the hallway until you almost see the blue doors then turn right. She's in birthing suite seven."

"Thank you!" I gushed, taking off in a brisk pace in the direction she had pointed me.

Glancing at the wall beside the door, I confirmed it was her room through her name labelled on the wall then walked inside, rushing to the bed.

"Cory," she grinned, sweat glistening across her forehead.

Tyler sat on the other side of her, hand gripped in a death lock in hers.

I took the seat on her other side, holding her hand, looking into her eyes. "How are you? How are they?"

"They are good. I'm... well I'm fine. But—" But she cut off mid sentence, eyes scrunching up as the screen showed a spike of another contraction.

I started counting for her, rubbing circles into her palm as she breathed in through her mouth and out through her nose until the contraction was over. I rubbed circles on her back as her breathing slowed. "Good job, Lily," I whispered.

"That one was a doozy," she said, hand pulling out from mine and going to her stomach.

Now that Lily was fine, I glanced over her at Tyler on the other side, fear in his eyes.

"Is Tyler staying?" I asked her.

Her brows furrowed as she studied me, trying to piece together my intentions for such a question.

"I mean, I'm sure it would be nice to have your whole support network but..." I glanced over at Tyler again. "Do you have much experience watching childbirths or what goes on? Because this may get really graphic..."

"I'm sure he can handle it," Lily said, cutting into what I was about to say next.

But one look at Tyler, and I knew that wasn't the case.

"Hey, Tyler, do you know where I can get her some ice chips?" I then asked.

"I'm sure you could ask the nur—"

"Can you show me?" I asked, a little more forcefully, hoping he'd take the hint. And thankfully he did, getting to his feet.

"You're both leaving?" Lily asked as we walked to the door.

"We'll be right back," I said to her, coaxing Tyler out the door.

Once out of her hearing distance, we stopped and turned to face each other.

"Talk to me," I said. I didn't want to have to guide him through this. He simply just shouldn't be here if it was too much for him. Besides, he and Lily had just started dating. I don't know why he had to be here for the birthing of my babies. But maybe Lily had said something that was making him feel compelled to stay.

"What about?" Tyler replied.

"I can see you freaking out in there."

"Shouldn't you be the one freaking out?"

Shrugging, I said, "I watched a lot of birth videos to prepare for this. And went to a lot of the early classes. I have some clue what to expect. This might also be a long ride too depending on how she's progressing."

"They said something about her being five centimetres?"

I nodded. "Halfway then."

"Half?" he exclaimed.

"This will be a long night and potentially day."

"Of her writhing in agony?"

"She... she was content in her birth plan to not take pain medication. Though we will see how that goes."

Tyler slumped into the nearby chair, head resting in his hands.

"Look, she's not going to be too gutted if you go," I said as I sat down next to him.

"I'm her boyfriend. I have to be there."

I shook my head. "You have to be there for her, not those kids just yet. If she ever has your kids, yeah, you'd have to step up more. When you've been with her longer, then yes I'd expect you to start developing a relationship with mine. But I can look after her right now. This is my responsibility."

His eyes painfully met mine. "But what if she realises she made a mistake choosing me? Because I'm not there when she needs me?"

I pressed my lips together, wary of the fact he said 'chose' and not conscious of the fact that it was a mutual decision between me and Lily. "I'll talk to her, okay? You're still getting to know each other. I'm sure you don't want to have to have the image of a baby coming out of her hoo ha in your mind the next time you..."

Groaning, his head fell into his hands again. "You mean the first."

My brows shot up at that one. It wasn't my business to pry. But given how close they always seemed, I was sure that they had... "Well you certainly won't want your first time together to be filled with that image," I muttered.

"But it's weird... you seeing that when I'm her—"

"I assure you there is nothing sexual about a baby coming out of a woman's vagina. If you don't trust me... just Google it. I'm here for my children and as Lily's friend. Lily is with you now. And I... well, I'm still single. But I'm open to moving on and not with her."

He ran his hands through his hair.

"Prepare yourself. Get lots of sleep while you can. Because life is about to get hectic. Maybe, I don't know, prepare her house for her. Make it comfy for when she and the babies come home. Get everything set up if it wasn't already. Do a load of washing for her. That's what you can do. But Lily doesn't need someone freaking out when this is already scary for her. Imagine being in her position, in all that pain, and knowing you have to fit two humans out between your legs." Shaking my head, I got to my feet. "On that note, I need to get back in there."

"Do I... do I tell her?" he asked hesitantly.

"I'll say it. But give her a kiss before you go." The last comment was a little begrudgingly thrown in there, but I turned around before he could see the pain on my face. I had accepted that they were together. But it did still hurt every now and then. Especially when my words worked towards encouraging it.

I walked back into the room and returned to Lily's side just in time for another contraction to start. Helping her into a seated position, Tyler and I waited out this contraction with her until it finally ceased.

"I'm sending Tyler home, Lily," I said.

"He can stay," she said, brows furrowing, bottom lip pouting.

"This is an us thing, Lily. Our kids. He can come when it's over. You owe me this."

Her face visibly shattered when I threw the last comment on there, but it worked its charm. Guilt washed over her and, in turn, permeated through me, as she diverted her attention back towards Tyler.

"I'm sorry, Tyler," she whispered.

Tyler shook his head. "I get it. He's the father. I don't want to overstep on this one." And so Tyler pulled her in for a quick hug, mouthing 'thank you' to me over her shoulder. Then when he moved back and kissed her, I averted my eyes until he was gone.

"He was looking a little pale," she then said when he was gone.

"Was he? I didn't notice."

Her hand that wasn't covered in needles and tubing whacked me in the arm. "You didn't have to be such a jerk about it all, though. You could have told him to lie and say he was feeling sick instead of being the arsehole who tells him to get out because it's not his place."

Shrugging, I replied, "I guess that's why you're with him now instead of me. Because I'm the arsehole."

Her face softened and she grabbed my hand in mine. "I didn't... I didn't mean it like that."

I placed my other hand on top of hers. "I know, Lily."

But before our conversation could go any further, her eyes began to scrunch up as another wave of contractions overcame her.

"Epidural," she managed to squeeze out a minute later. "I need an epidural."

It's happening!! THE BABIES ARE COMING!