Prologue
Holly
“Almost there. You’re doing great, mama. The worst of that contraction’s over.” I reach for the ice chips, handing the cup to Jane as sweat peppers her hairline. She’s still absolutely stunning. Her water broke a few hours ago in my kitchen as we were pouring coffee. I called in for a sub, and that was that. I check my phone. No call from Garrett. He’s likely on the plane.
Me: That plane better go faster! She’s already at a four and getting hella antsy for you.
Thank goodness he’s still in the U.S. and not across an ocean. I’d cry. Brynleigh comes running in with a refill of ice chips, smiling like the sun.
“Good morning, you beautiful bitches! I’m ready to meet my niece!”
“Not until Garrett gets here…” Jane grits through clenched teeth. “I’m going to egg his boss’s car when I get out of here. That motherfu–”
“More ice chips!” I grab the cup from a snickering Brynleigh and shove them under Jane’s nose. She practically snorts like a raging bull at me, and I’m smart enough not to crack a joke.
“He’s on his way. Likely on the plane since he didn’t answer my most recent text. He’ll get here.”
Another contraction begins, and her face scrunches up with a wave of pain. I squeeze her hand, and her eyes peek at me. I remind her to breathe, and naturally, Bryn and I breathe through it with her, smiling when the tension eases from her forehead.
“Great job, sweetie,” Bryn says, wiping Jane’s brow with a cool cloth.
“You guys are the best.” Jane draws out the ‘best’, tossing her head back against the pillows.
“Let’s get you up and moving for a few minutes. Keep things going smoothly,” I offer. The nurse, Annie, this cute little thing around my and Brynleigh’s age, sweeps into the room in her bright purple scrubs.
“I think that’s a fantastic idea, Jane. We want to keep getting that baby ready.”
“I need Garrett,” Jane says fearfully, eyes filling with unshed tears. I know she’s scared he’s not going to make it in time.
“How far out is he?” Annie looks to me in question.
“On the plane, as far as I know.”
“Ok, I understand you’re nervous Jane, but this little girl will come when it’s time. You won’t be alone, and if Garrett’s on the plane, he’s getting here as fast as possible. Dr. Reyes will be in in a minute.”
“Dr. Reyes? Where’s Dr. Widemann?” Jane’s voice rises a notch.
“She’s in Mexico,” Annie says hesitantly before pursing her lips, knowing this is a big change to spring on a woman in labor. Tears build further in Jane’s eyes, but she’s fighting them. No Garrett, no Dr. Widemann. Oh shit…
“Brynleigh, we need the next best thing. Is there another vet in today? If so, call Sydney and have her go get Colin. If he can’t, then get Trystan.”
“He was planning on coming later. Everyone’s trying to get here as soon as they can.”
I toss her a meaningful look.
“On it.”
She grabs her phone to go call one of the soothers of the group. Colin would be great with his extra medical training, but if he can’t get away, Trystan’s up. Surely one of them can get here to help until Garrett can get here.
“Sydney’s on it. She was manning the desk for me anyway, but you guys should catch the hottie out at the nurse’s station.”
“So, who’s going to take Sydney’s place?” I ask, wondering how they’re going to make that work, and curious about said hottie.
“It’s almost lunch. I think they were working on rearranging some appointments so that the other vet can handle it on his own. They’ve done it before. It’ll be okay.”
“Deets, Ellis. I need deets on the hottie,” Jane whispers with her head against the pillows, resting before the next contraction hits.
Brynleigh blinks, not quite used to her new last name, but rebounds quickly with a chuckle. They didn’t want to wait and weren’t crazy about a big wedding, so we decked her out for a courthouse ceremony followed by lots of pasta back at Marcketti’s. We plastered the back room as a surprise with twinkle lights. Jane even turned on some music, and they sharedtheir first dance to Otis Redding’sThese Arms of Mine. They looked so in love, I might’ve choked up a time or two. Another contraction comes and lasts good and long this time. When it’s done, Jane kicks off sheets and pulls her gown down so she’s just in her sports bra with the gown covering her bits.
