Code name: Athena [18+]

Code name: Compleanno

"Fuck, that feels so good," Arabella whimpered gripping the pillow under her head.

"That's not sexual at all," I joked making her chuckle. "Arabella?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Thank you."

She eyed me over her shoulder with a raised eyebrow "For what?"

"For everything," I told with a soft smile. "Every day I become more aware of how lucky I am to have you in my life and how without you I would still feel alone. For giving me Napoleon and soon our precious Artemis," my right hand moved to her swollen stomach which makes me ecstatic. "Even if I'm already a father, this feels completely new."

"I feel the same," she placed her hand on top of mine. "Being so close to my due date has got me thinking about Viola."

"What do you think about Viola, princess?" My free hand kept on rubbing her lower back.

"I just want to tell her that I love her so much and that she was an actual sister to me no matter if we didn't share blood," Arabella whispered. "If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have known love."

"She knows that princess. I noticed how much you loved her from just the way you looked at her the day we met and how you glared at me when I took her to the kitchen," I told making my wife lightly chuckle. "Viola would be so proud of the woman you've become and everything you have planned for the future."

"Thank you, baby," she lay on her back, looking up at me with tears in her eyes. "For being such a good husband to me and excellent father to our little boy."

"There's nothing in the world I wouldn't do for the loves of my life," I leaned down to peck her lips. "I love you."

"Love you more, baby," she whispered.

After twenty more minutes of massaging her, her ache went away and she was finally able to fall asleep in peace. I followed right after since I was running around all afternoon long with Napoleon, after having so many work conference calls to clear up as much of my schedule to be with Arabella at all moments; piccola could decide to come to this world anytime now and—

"Apollo," Arabella woke me up by shaking my arm violently.

"Yes, princess?" I groaned hiding under the duvet. "What time is it?"

"1:30 am," she breathed out.

"It's my birth—"

"Apollo! My water broke!"

My body shot up, instantly "What?!" Arabella was sitting down with her hands on her bump.

"I woke up an hour ago because my thighs were cramping and ten minutes later the contractions started," she grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly. My poor phalanges suffer PTSD from last time.

"Why didn't you wake me up sooner?" I reached for her phone and called our Doctor who is staying a few minutes away. "Artemis is coming, Doc!"

"I'm on my way, get her to the room," he ordered before hanging up.

"It's not time!" She exclaimed with her eyes on me.

"According to Artemis, it is time!" I jumped out of bed and gently picked her up to take her to the prepared bedroom.

Once we were in the labor room, I helped her change into her hospital gown and then gently lay her down on the bed. Next, I texted Andrea to let him know the Doctor was on his way.

"What can I do, princess?" I breathed out.

"Don't leave me alone. I'm really scared of having a little girl," she looked down at her stomach. "I don't want anything to hurt her."

"Nothing will, princess," I pecked the back of her hand softly.

Once the Doctor got here, Arabella asked him to explain everything to her again although she knows every stage by heart; she's frightened.

After eight long hours of performing breathing techniques, sitting on her rubber ball, long powerful contractions and my phalanges being crushed by Arabella's grip, it was time for her to start pushing.

"Okay, Arabella you can sta—"

"That's my girl," I whispered to myself with a soft smile as Arabella's face turned red from how hard she was pushing.

My goddess pushed for 23 minutes and then the beautiful cry of our baby girl filled the room. "Let me see her," Arabella requested with a weak smile on her face; I gently placed a towel damped in cold water on her forehead.

"Come cut the cord, Apollo," the Doc said. I immediately grabbed the scissors from the nurse and my heart thumped at the sight of my gorgeous piccola. "She's beautiful, Arabella," I cut the cord and the nurse took the baby to the clean up station before giving it to my wife in a blanket.

"Hi, piccola," Arabella's throat tightened as she gazed down at our baby girl. "I'm your mommy."

"You never cease to amaze me, princess," I placed a gently kiss on her temple as my eyes locked on the baby in her arms.

"Happy birthday, baby," my wife looked up at me with a soft smile.

"Thank you, princess," I leaned down to give my wife a soft kiss. "You give the best presents."

I can't believe this is coming to an end. Someone please hold me I want to cry.
Love
-M