When Ashley Mendoza went into labor during the early morning hours of March 6, her midwife assured the first-time mom it would likely be hours before her baby made his debut. But Evan Alexander Ashcroft had other plans.

“When the contractions became stronger around 6 a.m., we began preparing to get into the car and drive to the hospital when suddenly Ashley’s water broke,” said new grandpa Pete Ashcroft. “And in what seemed like just a matter of seconds she was in full labor. We tried to get her into the car, but my wife took a peek and discovered the head was emerging.”

Rushing back into their Brentwood home, new dad Adam called 911 while the rest of the Ashcroft clan leaped into action: grandma Paula calling for clean towels, the midwife directing events via another phone line and the impending mom practicing her breathing technique.

The men were admittedly a little less organized.

“We had no idea what to do,” laughed Adam. “I was so anxious to help, but once things started rolling, there just wasn’t much for me to do.”

Or much time to do it. In less than 30 minutes, all 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 21 inches of newborn Evan appeared, peacefully and without fuss in his parents’ bedroom. Grandma Paula was at the helm and new dad Adam even got to cut the cord.

“I hate to sound like a cliché, but it was just such a miracle,” said Adam, 26. “Everything just seemed meant to be. It went like clockwork.”

Moments after Evan arrived, the Brentwood fire department, ambulance and EMTs did too, swiftly transporting mom and son to Sutter Delta Medical Center, where both were examined, given a clean bill of health and sent home in a few days.

“Ashley was so brave,” said Pete. “What a trooper. She did all this with no medications or monitors or anything. Thankfully there were no complications.”

Little Evan can now lay claim to being not only one of the rare 5 percent of babies born on their due dates, he’ll also have a forever story to share with family and friends. But for the moment, bragging rights are the domain of his parents and grandparents.

“This is an amazing story; we’ve been telling everyone,” said Adam. “This is one for the baby book for sure. Thinking back, it all seems like a dream – a beautiful dream. And now my son will have a wonderful story to tell for the rest of his life.”