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“Papa? Am I dumb?” Celeste asked, blue eyes wet.
Ilya immediately jumped in to reassure her. Celeste Irina Rozanov-Hollander was not dumb. And he was going to make sure she knew that.
“Of course not мой ребенок.” He says, tucking a dark strand of hair that was in her face behind her ear. “Who is saying that, малыш?”
“Warner was saying because I have accent I sound dumb.” She pouts.
Unconsciously laying a hand on his bump he rolls his eyes. Warner Comeau was a menace just like his father. Softly rubbing Celeste’s freckled cheek he says,
“He is wrong Селеста, very wrong. He is not right in the brain. Knowing two languages means you are very smart.” Wiping a stray tear from under her eyes.
“Ilya!” He hears his husband shout. “Don’t talk about her classmates like that!”
Matching Celeste’s pout he says very matter-a-factly, “Comeau’s son called Селеста ‘dumb’ though дорогой.”
Shane’s expression changed instantly, “Oh, that’s the exception. I’ll call the school tomorrow.”
Ilya grins before looking back at Celeste, “Told you.” He hooks his hands under her armpits and hauls her up onto his hip, grunting as his other daughter kicks him in the ribs at the same time.
“You okay?” Shane asks, crossing the room to reach the two. Gently resting his hand on Ilya’s tight stomach.
Ilya's lips form a tight line as a cramp squeezes his midsection, before nodding. The pressure in his pelvis never really leaving.
“Daddy!” Celeste squeals before making grabby hands towards Shane. Huffing out a laugh Ilya shifts her into Shane’s arms. Without the weight of their five year old he lets out a low exhale and places his hand on his lower back.
“Baby sister thinks I’m smart, Papa?” Celeste asks, turning in Shane’s arms to ask Ilya.
Ilya grins as he replies, feeling their baby kick. “Oh yes definitely.” Rubbing his hand against his belly, and giving a peck on Celeste’s cheek.
—
They’re making dinner when another harsh cramp ripples through Ilya’s stomach. Causing him to let out a pained gasp and to lean against the counter.
“Hey what’s up?” Shane lays a hand on his shoulder. Ilya just shakes head, grimacing, “Nothing, just your huge baby kicking me.”
Shane lets out a soft laugh before wrapping his large arms around Ilya from behind, hands carefully moving to cup the large swell of Ilya’s bump. While pressing a kiss to his shoulder causing Ilya to let out an exasperated exhale.
“Fuck, you should’ve done this sooner.” Ilya breathes out. Shane is holding all the weight of his front, finally giving Ilya’s breaking hips a break.
“Sorry, солнышко I should’ve.” Shane whispers against Ilya’s skin. Slowly rocking them side by side. Just the two of them breathing each other in.
“I can’t believe I let you do this to me again.” Ilya says teasing, still softly rocking his hips
He feels Shane’s smirk against his skin. “We both know you secretly like being pregnant.” The accusation made Ilya gasp.
“Nope not true мой любимый. Impossible.” Getting a soft chuckle out of both of them.
The oven begins to beep which Shane takes as his cue to go tend to dinner, carefully he slowly releases Ilya’s bump; much to his dismay. Laughing softly at Ilya’s complaints.
“Go sit down baby I got this.” He says before kissing Ilya’s cheek.
—
Later into the evening, Ilya is laying very uncomfortably on the couch, moving into every position possible to try and lessen the ache in his pelvis. Letting out a loud sigh, he pulls himself forward to stand. As he finally pulls himself up, he feels a ‘pop’ before warmth spreads down the inside of his thighs.
“Shit, shit shit.” He immediately grasps the couch armrest as a harsh contraction instantly begins to swell. “Nmgph,” Ilya whimpered.
“Ilya?” He can hear Shane’s padded footsteps coming towards him. His eyes widened at Ilya’s state and soiled pants, “Shit. She’s coming?”
Ilya nods rapidly as another contraction comes over him, clearly closer together than he expected. Sucking in a harsh breath and trying to properly stand gripping Shane’s shoulder.
“It’s okay I’ve got you.” Shane murmurs softly in Ilya’s ear slowly leading them to their bedroom. “Cels is asleep, I’m gonna call Mom so we can go.” Helping lower Ilya to sit on the edge of their bed.
Another wave crashes over him, the pressure in his pelvis relentless.
Squeezing his eyes shut he focuses on breathing, distantly hearing Shane on the phone whispering worriedly with Yuna.
“Yeah Mom, his contractions are nearly three minutes apart, just try and get here as soon as you can okay? I love you.” Shane whispered before hanging up.
“It’s okay baby, you can make noise.” Shane soothed rubbing his hand up and down Ilya’s back. “Moms coming, five minutes.”
Ilya lets out a soft groan before blurting out, “I need to stand.” The pressure in between his legs was becoming more and more unbearable after every contraction.
Slowly standing with the help of Shane he begins pacing. He did that for almost all of Celeste’s birth, but for some reason now it’s hurting more. Letting out a hushed string of curses as the contractions become closer and closer together.
Absently he hears the front door open and Shane quickly reassures him he’ll be back soon.
“Mom picked up Celeste, the bags are already in the car. Are you okay to move?” Shane asks softly, applying gentle pressure to the small of Ilya’s back.
Panting, Ilya shifts while standing and leans backwards to the wall. “Hollander, I don’t think we’re gonna make it.” He chokes out panicked, as his stomach tightens again. Their baby’s head pressing down against his pelvis.
“Ilya I’m right here, just lean into me and we can go to the hospital.” Shane says, trying to calm Ilya’s spiral.
Tears start to fall down Ilya’s cheeks as the urge to push becomes stronger with each wave. His body involuntarily baring down.
“No! No, I’m pushing!” Ilya cried out, the pressure becoming so intense he couldn’t help but push. Frantically shoving his hand down his pants and in between his legs.
“Fuck, Shane.” Ilya whimpered, feeling the burning sensation of their daughter trying to crown.
“Shit, okay. Okay.” Shane says, trying not to panic, tugging at the waistband of Ilya’s sweats. “Breathe, Ilya you’re okay, we’re okay.” Looking between Ilya’s legs and seeing their daughter's head start to bulge.
“You’re about to crown, Ilya. Breathe, let her come out on her own.” Shane says, not wanting Ilya to tear. Trying not to wince looking at the strain of Ilya’s thighs.
“She’s coming out.” Ilya whimpered as another contraction began, cupping their baby’s head with his hand. The contractions were basically on top of each other, causing him to throw the back of his head to hit the wall.
“Oh my Christ, her head's halfway out.” Shane blurted, immediately cringing at his words. “You’re doing so good, baby.” He promises.
Giving another push as the peak of a contraction starts, Ilya tries to focus on breathing, grimacing at the severe burning sensation that is between his legs. “Please baby girl.” He whined softly in Russian, feeling her head suddenly come out with a rush of fluids as he gasped.
“Good job, Her head's out. She has so much hair.” Shane huffed out, voice thick with emotion. “She’s so beautiful, baby. I love you so much.” He reaches down to cup her small head and to check for a cord.
Ilya grunts as he feels her shoulders turn inside him giving a small push before letting up, “Can’t.” He grits out.
Shane shakes his head, “Yes you can, you’re the strongest person I know. I’m right here.” Running a hand up and down the upper part of Ilya’s thigh.
Trembling, Ilya digs his fingers into his thighs, pushing so hard he thought his eyes would bulge out of his head. He groans as he feels one of their daughters' shoulders finally emerge, another contraction immediately swelling.
Finally he gives one last agonizing push.
The pressure dissipates, and a loud sharp cry fills the air.
Ilya lets out a sob as he looks down at the screaming, red baby in Shane’s arms; still connected to him by the cord. “Боже мой.” He chokes out, reaching down toward Shane. Who immediately sets her down so she can rest on Ilya’s chest.
“привет, солнышко.” Ilya says, staring down at her as Shane helps him into a sitting position on the floor.
Shane feels almost euphoric as he lays their brand new daughter onto Ilya’s chest, “Ilya, you did it, she’s so perfect. You’re so strong, I love you so much.” His voice filled with so much emotion. Kissing Ilya’s temple.
“You just couldn’t wait could you? I love you sweet girl.” Shane laughed looking down at their daughter, letting her grip his pinky. “Shit, I’ve got to call an ambulance.”
“Would probably be smart, Hollander.” Ilya says smiling, still staring at their crying daughter. “Is okay, I’ve got you baby, was a lot huh?” Ilya says softly to her, rocking them slowly.
“My Nadia.” Ilya sniffs, staring at her as she blearily opens her eyes. Piercing blue eyes matching his. Thick dark wet hair on her head matching the man he loved. “Welcome to the world, малышка Надя. Papa and Daddy love you so much.” Pressing a soft kiss atop her small head.