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Chapter Forty-Two
Elijah
Four years later…
“Lucy, go find a nurse!” I panicked as I slammed the brakes and threw the truck into park.
“Will you chill?” The eight-year-old was ninety-nine percent sass, I was positive of this. That was the only language she seemed to speak. “Mom’s fine.”
“She’s right,” Hadley groaned, face pinching in pain as she clutched her round belly. “My water hasn’t even broken yet. No need to freak out.”
“Are you okay, Mommy?” Eli's lips were close to trembling. He was probably on the verge of freaking out like I was.
“I’ll go grab a wheelchair,” said Lucy, jumping out of the truck and running inside.
“No, I’m fine. I can walk.” It was too late for Lucy to hear her mom.
“You’re not walking. How far apart are the contractions now?” I asked, placing my palm against her belly. She was so full of shit. Her stomach was tightening up into a giant ball as she pinched her eyes closed. It scared me. Seeing her in pain drove me fucking crazy.
“Every two minutes?” She winced.
I hopped out of the truck, rushed over to her side, and opened her door.
“Here!” Lucy yelled across the parking lot. She placed the wheelchair next to me while I helped Hadley out.
“Can you help me with my buckles, Sissy?” Eli asked.
“You little turd, I have to do everything,” Lucy complained, helping him anyway.
“Is it time for baby bruther to come?” Eli asked.
“Yep.” Lucy shut the back door after Eli hopped out.
“Mamaw and Papaw should be here soon,” Hadley told him as I eased her into the wheelchair. “Lucy hold his hand.” She hunched over again, and my heart pounded terribly in worry as I saw her belly drawing up.
I wheeled her inside, stopping at the first nurses station I came to. “She’s in labor!”
“Has her water broken?” one of the nurses asked.
“No, but it will at any time.”
The nurse simply smiled at me, and it grated on my nerves. “Let’s check you guys in.”
I was about to say something not so nice when a warm palm slid into mine. I glanced down at Hadley who was beaming up at me while squeezing my hand reassuringly. “Me and Jackson are fine. I think we’re going to be here a while before my water breaks.”
I bent over a little and kissed the knuckles that gripped mine before I sighed. “Kick my ass if I start getting on your nerves too much. I just can’t stand seeing you in pain.”
“I know,” she murmured softly.
“Here, we’ll get you to sign her in, and we’ll set her up in a room.” The nurse gave me a paper. “You are her husband…?”
“I knew you guys would be here sometime this week,” I exhaled in relief when Hadley’s doctor strode up to us. “How are you feeling, Momma?” She touched Hadley’s belly.
“Like I’m ready to have this baby,” Hadley responded.
“What about you, Dad?” She placed her hand on my shoulder.
“Can we get Hadley to a bed? I know she’s not—”
