Zane & Lucky’s First Christmas (Forever Love #3.5)(2)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“Right now, husbands and boyfriends, and of course, girlfriends, I want you to practice supporting your partner. When they are in the delivery room, they are going to be in pain. They are going to be worried. They are going to be scared. They are going to need your support in multiple ways. Now, does anyone know what actions you can take to support your partners?”

“We can hold their hand.” A big biker dude spoke up. “So that they can squeeze it hard when they push.”

“That’s what she said.” I whispered to Lucky, but she ignored me.

“Yes,” the instructor said. “Handholding is very important. But do not force her to hold your hand if she doesn’t want to. Also, realize that if she is squeezing your hand hard, it is not a good idea to complain about the pressure. If you don’t think you can deal with it without complaining, it might be a better idea to get her a stress toy to squeeze.”

“She can hold my hand anytime.” The biker dude grinned. “I’m a strong dude. I can take it.” I looked at him, and laughed inside. I bet he was going to be the first one to faint in the delivery room, once his wife started pushing. It was always the ones that looked rough and tough that were the wussiest ones.

“Any other ideas, guys? What can you do to support your partner?”

“You can tell her how beautiful she is.” The redhead’s husband spoke up and she smiled at him appreciatively.

“Yes, you can do that.” The instructor nodded and I rolled my eyes. What woman wanted to hear she was beautiful as she pushed a basketball out of her vagina? “Anything else?” She looked around and the class was quiet. I noticed that all the other guys were either staring at their feet or the wall, and looked as bored as I felt.

“Okay, guys.” The instructor laughed. “I guess I’ll take it from here. You can also rub your wife’s feet. There are pressure points in her feet that will help her loosen up and relax while in labor.”

“I like feet.” One skinny man spoke up eagerly. “I can do that.”

“That’s good.” The instructor gave him a quick smile. “What we’re all going to do now is practice rubbing our partner’s feet.”

“Now?” I looked over at her and frowned. “I thought the class was done in two minutes?”

“No, Mr. Beaumont. There is no official end time to the class. It all depends on when we get through everything we need to do.”

“Okay,” I frowned. “But the class schedule said the class ends at 7 p.m.”

“Well, as I just told you, it’s not yet ending, Mr. Beaumont.” All humor was gone from her face. “Everyone go back to your mats, please. And we will practice making our partners comfortable with a foot rub. Remember, husbands, this is not about you. You are not the ones going through the pain of delivery. You are not the ones giving birth. Your job is to make your partner happy and as relaxed as possible. You have to be patient.” She gave me a look, and then turned around and walked over to her small boom box. “Now, I’m going to play some music that can be soothing in stressful situations.”

“I wonder if she’s going to play Kanye West.” I whispered to Lucky as we sat down.

“Yes, Zane, she’s going to start blasting ‘Golddigger’,” Lucky grinned at me, and slapped me in the arm. “You’re going to get us kicked out, you know.”

“No, I’m not. I haven’t done anything bad.” I shook my head innocently.

“You’re acting like an idiot.” She shook her head with a half-smile. “I should be so mad at you.”

“You’re not?” I tilted my head to the side.

“How could I be mad at you?” She laughed. “But you better believe I’m going to be squeezing the shit out of your hand.”

“Ooh, you just said shit.” I laughed at her and she blushed.

“We’re seriously going to be the worst mom and dad.” She laughed. “Our kids are going to get kicked out of preschool for cursing.”

“Not with Uncle Noah in the picture.” I grinned. “He will school us.”

“True,” she laughed. “He’s taken to fatherhood like a fish to water.”

“Yeah, he has.” I smiled and warmth filled my heart as I thought about Noah and Skylar and how close they were. I never would have believed that Noah would be a dad in his early twenties, and to see him in the role made me see him in a new and even more respectful light. My brother really was the best man I knew.

“Maybe I should have brought him here with me.”

“Are you trying to make me jealous?” I pulled her to me and she giggled as I kissed her neck. “He may be my brother, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t slap him silly if he even thought about getting close to you.”

“Zane, you’re an idiot.” Lucky’s eyes shined brightly into mine. “He’s my brother as well, and he has Robin.”

“Well, we hope he has Robin.” I made a face, suddenly feeling sad for Noah. They had agreed to start over again, but Robin really didn’t seem to have much time for him. I wasn’t positive that she was going to get over the secrets he had kept from her and that made me feel bad for him. I knew just how much he really liked her.

“Well, if it doesn’t work out with Robin, he can always see if he likes Leeza. She’s coming to visit in a few months.”

I groaned at the mention of her friend’s name. I wanted nothing to do with Leeza and, frankly, I was pissed that Lucky was still friends with her. “Leeza will never date my brother.” I shook my head. “No way do I want a tramp in my family.”

“She’s not a tramp.” Lucky glowered at me.

“How’s it going, you two?” The instructor walked up to us. “Now is the time to connect as partners having a baby. Small talk can be had after the class.”

“Yes, sorry.” Lucky sat back and blushed. “Stop distracting me, Zane.”

“Or?”

“You’re going to have us kicked out.”

“You really think so?”

“Yes!”

“We’re going to get kicked out for talking?” I mumbled to myself and sat in front of her and slid her shoes off. She placed her feet on my lap and sat back. Her long dark hair hung in curls down her back, and she closed her eyes as she relaxed. I took her right foot in my hand and started caressing it. She smiled at me as she relaxed and I stared at her, feeling the love surge through me. Her other foot nudged closer to my crotch and I wondered if she was trying to tease me. I grinned as I thought of a way to really relax Lucky. I’d show her how to get kicked out of the class, I thought to myself. “How does this feel?” I asked her softly as I kneaded the soles of her feet.