Greylen’s heart dropped as he entered their room. Gwen leaned upright against the pillows, her eyes closed, her hair damp and clinging to her face. Isabelle sat beside Gwen, wiping her forehead while his mother and Anna sat between her legs.

“You have to pull him…please,” Gwen begged, her voice taxed with exhaustion. “It’s been too long.” Her shoulders started shaking, and she pleaded with them again. “I need, Greylen, please, please.”

Greylen rushed to her side and placed his hand on her face as he sat. She opened her eyes. “Greylen, help me. They won’t listen.”

“Tell me what to do, Gwen,” he said. His words were firm, assuring her that he’d do anything in his power to help.

“You need to guide the baby’s head out. You have to pull—” Her fingers dug into his skin as she grabbed his wrists, and it took all his abilities to remain in control as he watched her suffer. Then her grip relaxed as the pain seemed to subside.

He heard his mother speak quietly to Anna. “Nothing, he’s not moved.”

Gwen looked to him again. “He won’t come, Greylen, I don’t know if the cord is around his neck. I…I can’t do it. He could die, help us—please, help us.”

Greylen squeezed her hands before standing again. He’d been present and helped with countless births throughout his life. A child, however, was never one of them. Women always saw to such duties, yet for Gwen to call for him, he knew ’twas only his help she wanted. Determined to do just that, he washed his hands in a basin of fresh water. Then fixed his mother and Anna with a look of pure outrage. “MOVE.”

They stood instantly, giving him space as he sat on the bed and placed a hand on Gwen’s knee. She tried with all her might to push their babe free. Isabelle held her shoulders, forcing her to sit upright as his mother and Anna pleaded with Gwen to push. Her attempts were futile. The babe hadn’t moved. Gwen started crying again. “I can’t do it, Greylen. Pull him—you have to.”

He knew now what she asked of him and looked to her one last time, waiting for her acknowledgment. When she nodded, he didn’t hesitate. He’d be damned if he didn’t do everything he could to help her, even this. He tried to be gentle as he pushed his fingers around the babe’s head, yet his wife’s cry said otherwise. She caught her breath and nodded again.

“Put your other hand on my stomach, and when you feel it tighten, pull.”