Chapter 26: Protect Them
"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!!! RIDDICK!!!!"
He stared pale-faced sitting next to his wife in the delivery room. She had his hand clutched in hers so tight it was actually hurting him. If he had known she'd go through this much pain he would have slapped her when she said she wanted a family.
"FUCK!!!!"
Her contractions were coming close together now and any minute she was gonna have to push.
"Baby it's ok, I know it hurts…"
"You don't fucking know shit you motherfucker! Next kid we have you're poppin' out…kay?!!"
She laid her head back down on the table as the contraction slowly subsided, promising only more pain with the next. Tears slid down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry Richie…I didn't mean to bite your head off…it just fucking hurts."
"It's alright babe. I probably deserve it." He smiled.
"No you don't. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Shit…."
Another contraction ripped through her body and Riddick moved to sit behind her, with his arms stretched out on either side of her, giving her something to hold onto.
He softly purred in her ear.
"I love you baby…more than anything…I'd take the pain away if I could."
"I know…sweetie…god…fuck…I love you." She said, completely out of breath.
Doctor Grant moved to sit between Jack's legs. "Alright Mrs. Richards next contraction I'm going to have to ask you to push."
"Okay." She said, tears forming in her eyes. She whispered to Riddick, "Baby…I know it's kinda late for this but…I'm scared."
"So am I."
She offered a light smile, gazing up at him. He had his contacts in and all she wished was that she could be staring into those familiar silver orbs.
He gave her a wink accompanied my that damn adorable smirk of his, and when he heard her slight intake of breath, signaling the next contraction, he lowered his head next to hers, kissing her lightly on the cheek. He whispered so low that only Jack could hear him. "You have my soul."
She shut her eyes against the oncoming pain, and wrapped her arm around his head, pressing her cheek against his. "And you have mine."
She slammed her hand back down on Riddick's forearm as the pain lanced through her.
"Push Mrs. Richards, as hard as you can."
"ARGHHHHH!!!! FUCK!"
Riddick was grinding his teeth; he'd do anything to help her…and he was never more scared in his life.
"Okay, Mrs. Richards, I can see little Rian's head, the next contraction should do it." Dr. Grant said with a smile, trying to reassure her.
She took a sharp intake of breath and nodded slightly.
Riddick kissed her cheek again. "You amaze me." No matter what happened after this, Jack was the strongest person in the universe in his eyes. He was so proud of her. And he knew that if he were in her place…he wouldn't be able to handle it.
She smiled and then her face contorted as the next contraction came.
Riddick crooned in her ear. "I feel for the light, Your glory was lost that night, And no mind can't get me right, And now I'm praying that you'll find me out, Stone, stone has pulled me down, But my faith has got me bound, To your grey blue eyes."
She smiled remembering their song and gave one last push as she felt a pain so indescribable, and then a weird feeling of something being forced out of her body.
She fell limp in Riddick's arms, as they heard the first cry on their son.
"Is that him?" Riddick asked, staring across the room as a nurse cleaned Rian.
"Yeah baby, that's him." Jack whispered, trying to steady her breathing.
The nurse walked back over, carrying Rian, swaddled in a light blue blanket. When she went to give him to Jack, she shook her head.
"Hand him to him." she said, motioning towards Riddick.
Riddick snapped his eyes to Jack. A slight wave of fear passing over him, he had never held a baby before.
She smiled at him. "It's ok baby."
He nodded as the nurse handed his son to him. He looked so tiny cradled in Riddick's massive arms and hands. And without him realizing it, tears began to run down Riddick's face.
Jack tenderly reached up and wiped them away.
The nurse and doctor finished cleaning Jack up, congratulated them on their son and left the new family by themselves.
"God, Jack…he's so fucking beautiful."
"He looks like his Daddy," she said with a smile.
He leaned down kissing her, "I love you so much."
"I know."
Riddick was speechless. I love you just didn't cut it. What he was feeling was beyond words. Jack was his life. But now there was another presence in his heart. His son. He had a fucking son. Tears flowed freely, and Riddick didn't give a damn. This was all he ever wanted. He had Jack, and he had Rian.
God, if you're listening. I know you probably gave up on me a long time ago. I know I strayed from your path, and to tell you the truth I'm not sure I could ever go back. But please, if anything ever happens, take my life not theirs. They don't deserve to suffer just because they love me. I know I don't deserve an angel like Jack. But please don't punish me by hurting her. She deserves life. And Rian. I know you're all knowing, so I know you know how much I love him. Please just protect him, don't let him be hurt because he's my son. Please, just protect them.
"Riddick?"
"Yea baby?"
"Are you ok?"
"Yea…I'm perfect." He smiled kissing her again and handing her the infant. Rubbing his hands over her cheeks and forehead. "I love you so much."
"I love you too."