Harrison nodded, turning back to her. He stroked her damp hair back from her brow. “Addie, sweetheart, you can do this.”

“No,” she whispered. “No, I can’t.”

Returning his attention to the doctor, Harrison asked, “What can I do?”

The doctor gave him a searching look, then gestured to Adelaide. “Get behind her. Hold her. Prop her up.”

He nodded and stood, releasing Adelaide’s hand as he and Emblyn took her shoulders and raised her. Harrison slid in behind her, leaning her back against his chest and laying his knees alongside hers.

“Addie,” he murmured as he took her hands in his, their fingers entwining, her grip on him clenching, “you are the strongest woman I know. You took this boorish man to be your husband, even when you did not want to, and made the marriage work in spite of him.”

She managed a laugh, settling into him. “So you do admit it.”

He nodded against her, pressing his lips to her temple. “You went to the wilds of Cornwall and worked magic, wrapping it all about your little finger. You can do impossible things with shocking ease, and I am in awe of you for it.”

Adelaide exhaled a weak sob, her fingers rubbing against his in an almost anxious manner.

Harrison wrapped their entwined hands around her, pulling her as close as possible. “I cannot do this for you, love, but I would if I were able.” He exhaled, his lips at her ear. “I will not leave you for a moment. I will give you all the strength I possess if you will take it. I will help you however I can. All right?”

He felt her exhale again, felt her nod, and kissed her head quickly before moving their hands oncemore into the position the doctor indicated.

“Push!” the doctor ordered.

“Good!” came the praise from the doctor. “Very good. Another one!”

Harrison bit his lip as Adelaide pushed again, her nails clawing into his hands. “Yes, love, keep going.”

Love.

The endearment had slipped out twice now, and he found himself without any regret about it. She was his love, had been for likely some time, though he had refused to consider anything of the sort. Months and weeks of being with her, being yelled at by her, being laughed at by her, being distracted by her, being drawn to her, had all funneled down to this moment, this brilliance for them both, and love was the only way to describe it. He wanted her happiness above all else, wanted to make her smile, to see her triumph, to adore her exactly as she wished him to, though in truth this time.