The story of Dominick Mackintosh-Cardona’s April 7 birth already has been told countless times among the family.

One more retelling was held Monday at Denver’s Emergency Communications Center when Reba Rose, a 911 operator, held Dominick for the first time after helping deliver him over the phone.

“This is what I wanted,” Rose said as she held the 5-week-old baby.

It’s a tradition at Denver’s emergency communications center to hold “baby showers” for 911 operators who help healthy babies arrive before their mothers can get to a hospital.

At Monday’s party, Rose met Dominick and his family. Gifts were exchanged, including recordings of the 911 call.

LISTEN: Full 911 tape of Dominick’s birth

Dominick was born in the passenger seat of his grandmother’s Lexus in a Starbucks parking lot on the corner of 6th Avenue and Grant Street. Rose coached the grandmother, Kristie Cardona, and then a Starbucks barista as Dominick entered the world.

Cardona said she didn’t remember very much about the 911 call or the delivery.

But in a recording of the call, she tells Rose: “She’s broke her water and she’s having contractions every minute so I’m afraid I’m not going to make it there. Like, she’s going to pop this baby out.”

Midway through the call, Starbucks employee Rebecca Frisk, who happened to be eight-months pregnant, came outside to help. She took the phone and then relayed directions between Rose and Cardona.

“Hi, we’ve got a baby coming out,” the Frisk said.

Rose has been a 911 operator for 15 years, and Dominick was her third baby delivery.

She told the women to support the head and shoulders and to firmly hold the legs and hips. She and other operators train to coach baby deliveries.

“Remember, the baby will be slippery,” Rose said. “Don’t drop it.”

Then, the Frisk and Cardona said, “Push, push, push. The baby’s out!”

And, finally, the important sign of life: “There we go. The baby’s crying.” Shortly afterward, a Denver Fire Department crew arrived and took over.

Dominick’s mother, Marina Cardona, said she cried when her water broke.

“I remember saying, ‘Don’t pull over. Don’t pull over,’ ” she said, wanting to get to St. Joseph Hospital.

Meanwhile, Dominique Mackintosh, the baby’s father, was waiting at St. Joseph.

“At first, I was a little sad and disappointed because I missed it,” he said. “But then I realized he was healthy and that’s what is important.

“I’m really grateful for them,” he said of the 911 operator and Frisk.

Now, baby Dominick has the nickname “Bucky,” short for Starbucks.

And a great story to tell about his birth.

Noelle Phillips: 303-954-1661, nphillips@denverpost.com or @Noelle_Phillips