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"I can help you. The quicker you deliver the baby, the better, right?" I get down on my knees and hold my hands out in front of me. I've had to be a negotiator on more times than I can count. I can deal with this bastard. I know I can.
"Try anything and I'll kill them both." He pushes the knife down into Aria's skin to show me how serious he is.
"Okay." I move to Aria's side quickly and take her face in my hands, wiping her face free from her tears. "It's okay, sweetheart. I've got you."
"It's too soon," she sobs.
I place my hand on her stomach and look at the time on my watch. I can see the contractions are only four minutes apart.
"Caleb, the IV. Stop it," Aria pleads.
I reach over her, but he pushes me away with brute force. A force I didn't expect from him.
"Leave it."
"Look, I don't know what your aim is here, but you're making her go into labor too quickly. Stop the fucking IV. Her body isn't ready to give birth."
I don't have a clue what I'm talking about, but I've heard something similar on one of those medical shows Aria made me binge watch. If it makes me sound clever, I'll watch the damn show every day for the rest of my life.
"I'm in charge here. Stay out of it!" He hits his head several times and yells.
I sit back on my heels and act like I'm taking a backseat, even though it kills me.
"You're in charge... Why don’t you tell me what your name is?"
A shot rings out, and Aria's screaming shocks me to the bone. It isn't until Clay runs over to us that I snap out of it.
"Is he dead?" Aria cries.
"No, he has a pulse. It’s a flesh wound. I made sure the bastard will pay for his crimes." Clay kicks his legs and holds his gun on him. "Let's get her out of here."
I pull out the IV in her arm and loosen the rope she's tied up with. Her poor wrists are black and blue from trying to break free. I swallow the bile in my throat and attempt to lift her when she cries out in agony, clutching her tummy.
"He's coming. I can't have him now. Not here. Not like this."
Chris runs in and takes over from Clay. Clay kneels at the side of Aria and holds her hand. I lift her dress and try to settle my racing heart. I've never delivered a baby before. I doubt Grey's Anatomy is going to get me through this one.
“I vaguely remember telling you not to give birth around me.” Clay nudges Aria to take her mind off things.
“It’s too soon, Clay. It’s too soon!” she yells.
"Sweetheart, I can see the head. On the next contraction, you need to push. We're all here. We've got you. I promise nothing is going to happen."
I can feel Clay and Chris hitting me with daggers, but I'll cross that bridge if we need to. In my mind, they’re going to be okay. They have to be.
"Oh God, it's coming!" Aria pushes down, and within moments, her waters break, and I hold a tiny baby girl in my hands. She isn't crying or moving. Tears roll down my cheeks. Clay lays his hoodie down on the bed and I lie the baby down.
"Where are the medics?" I yell.
"They're on route," says Al.
I hear shuffling from behind me. The cavalry has arrived.
"Why isn't she crying?" sobs Aria.
First aid training kicks in, and although I've not worked on a real baby, it can't be any different from the doll I worked with. I tilt her head back and cover her mouth and nose with mine and blow softly.
Nothing.
