Me:It’s go time.
Garrett:On my way.
“Who are you texting at this time of night?” Laurent asked, glancing up from his book again.
“I hope that’s you practising that line for your daughter,” I said, side-eyeing him.
Only Laurent could think I had the inclination to text another man while I was going into labour.
Oh, God. Was he pouting?
“Can you help me up, please?” I asked sweetly.
He set the book down, finger holding his place, and stood. I sighed, eyeing his bare, broad chest.
I couldn’t even get any action because he refused to let our daughter hear his nasty words.
I must not have moved fast enough, because he wrapped his arms around me and hauled me off the bed. I got my feet under me and started pacing. Gravity had to help.
“Grab the hospital bag. Garrett’s on his way,” I said, pausing to savour his deer-in-the-headlights look.
“No. It can’t be time already. She’s probably safer in there,” he said, pointing at my belly like my body had personally betrayed him.
“Oh, but you worked so hard for this baby,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“You’re getting too sassy,” he grumbled, tugging a T-shirt over his head. “You’ll both gang up on me.”
“Yes. Yes we will. And you’ll love it.”
“Probably,” he muttered, “but that’s not the point.”
I paused mid-stride as the tight band around my abdomen stole my breath.
Laurent was behind me, rubbing slow circles into my back—and damn it, it was surprisingly soothing.
“Deep breaths, sweetheart,” he murmured, and I nodded.
All these months, I’d imagined labour happening in Klingon and on my own.
It was almost a relief to know he’d be here so that I could swear at him to his face, in English.
Lights flashed through the curtains, followed by the blare of a horn cutting through the quiet street.
Great. Just what I needed—two grown ass men panicking.
?? ?? ??
To be fair, they kept me entertained on the drive to the hospital.
My room was ready, and I was ready for drugs.
Garrett reluctantly left, which was sweet—though I did wonder if he was Laurent’s support buddy, because he was the one having trouble breathing.
I handed Laurent the gas.
“Here. Take some of this and chill out.”
He looked at me, then at the gas mask. I think he was actually considering it.
