Gunnar lifts his hands in surrender as the sound of a car speeding down a dirt road, throwing rocks and hitting bumps, fills my ears. “Calix’s here, let’s get you to the car.”
Grim keeps his hand on my back and guides me around to the front of the house. We have to step over discarded clothes to get there, but I barely notice. Good thing Grim can conjure up clothing. Calix pulls up as close to us as he can. Gunnar was slow to rise from the ground, but he wobbles behind us, seeming to grow stronger, or at least steadier, with every second that passes. “Move faster,” Grim orders.
“You move faster,” Gunnar retorts defensively.
“Both of you get in the car.” My voice is harsh and low as I climb into the back seat. Grim slides in next to me before Gunnar has the chance.
“You’re such a dick,” Gunnar grumbles, as he slams the door after gingerly getting into the front seat. Calix hits the gas and we speed away from the scene. I lean my head back against the seat and rub my belly. Despite the pain, a wave of relief settles over me. Antonio, or Boogey, is dead. I don’t have to worry about him hurting my friends or him coming after me.
“Is it coming again? I thought contractions started out slow, like ten minutes apart.” Calix turns halfway around between the two front seats to watch me.
“Watch the road! When they first started, I didn’t realize what it was, my stomach just felt tight.” I lean back and enjoy the temporary reprieve sitting offers. “But no, I’m not having one right now,” I tell him.
“How far is the hospital? I should just take her.” Grim looks out the front windshield.
“It’s not far, everything is fine,” Calix assures him.
“Just drive,” Grim orders.
“I can drive and talk. He is such a dick,” Calix laments, talking to Gunnar.
The rest of the ride to the hospital passes in a blur. I have another contraction, which Grim holds my hand through. Sitting no longer feels like a reprieve. I want out of the car. Being able to walk and move around through the pain feels easier.
Gunnar gets out of the car first when Calix pulls up right in front of the emergency room entrance. The moment the double doors open, letting out the despair and antiseptic smell, my teeth start to chatter. His face is still a little red and swollen, but it looks more like he was in a fight than burned.
I’ve only gone to a few appointments. Needing a doctor is something new to me since I’ve never gotten sick, but giving birth in the hospital was something I insisted on. However, now I just want to turn around and go home. I’m not sure I’m ready for this.
Gunnar takes my hand and guides me through the doors. There’s an attractive woman behind a high desk who stands when she sees me waddle in, and it’s definitely a waddle. “How can I help you?”
I slap my hands on the counter and lean over as another wave of pain starts. “She’s having contractions.” Gunnar rubs my back as I breathe through the pain.
“Is she registered here? Has her doctor been notified?” she asks in a calm voice. I’m sure this is something she sees regularly.
“Get the doctor,” Grim orders from behind me. I reach out and end up snagging his shirt in my fist.
“No, we thought we had more time for that.” Gunnar keeps his tone even.
“How many weeks are you? Do you have a history of premature labor?”
Instead of answering, I turn my head into Grim’s chest and rock from side to side. It’s easier to take the pain when I’m moving. “This is our first baby. Her contractions are only minutes apart,” Calix answers. I don’t even know when he arrived. I thought he went to park the car.
“You’re the father?” I can hear the woman’s curiosity in her tone.
“Is there someone here more competent than you?” Grim growls. “We need a doctor.”
“So, this is an emergency?” she inquires. If my guts didn’t feel like someone replaced them with a vise, I would smack her upside her head.
“Get me a fucking doctor!” Grim shouts. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him even raise his voice. I expected Gunnar to be the one hollering.
I pat his chest. “Please calm down. They will kick you out and I need you here. I need all of you here,” I whisper. Now that the pain has passed, I stand up straight and look the woman in the face. She has a phone receiver in her hand and her eyes are wide.
“How do I register? I need to see a doctor.”
“Just sign in here. We’ll get you right back,” she says softly.
“You could have just said that in the first place,” Calix snaps, and snatches the electronic pen attached to a little blue screen she pointed to. “I’ll do this,” he mutters, dismissing us from the counter.
Grim leads me a few feet away. It’s the first time I’ve realized we aren’t alone in the waiting room. I ignore the stares and lean against Grim. Gunnar comes over and stands behind me. It’s rare for him to be this close while I’m touching one of the other guys, and his effort doesn’t go unnoticed. With every twinge, I expect the pain to return, but I get a short respite.
