The cab ride was harrowing. Ruth didn’t know if that was why her contractions were picking up or not. Maybe this kid just wanted to come sooner rather than later. The cab driver weaved in and out of traffic. In the torrential downpour, Ruth wondered how he could see anything. “You must have the roads memorized.”
He didn’t answer. Maybe he didn’t speak English—or maybe he was deep in concentration.
If she got to Kizzy’s safely, she’d be happily surprised.
A contraction hit just as they were pulling up to the Fierros’ home. Gabriella and Kizzy ran out to meet her, carrying two open umbrellas. They threw open the door to the back seat. “You’re here!”
“By some miracle,” Ruth mumbled. “Let me pay the driver.”
“I’ll pay the driver,” Gabriella said. “You and Kizzy get inside out of the rain.”
Ruth rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Gabriella, but I’ve got it.” She handed the cab driver a $20 bill, and he thanked her for her generosity and wished her good luck.
Luck wasn’t the only thing involved. She had cast a protection spell around the vehicle as soon as she realized it would be a dangerous trip. In other words, the minute he stepped on the gas.
Kizzy and Gabriella got on either side of her and helped her heave herself out of the back seat. The umbrellas covered her completely, and the other two were getting soaked. They walked her into the house as if she were a fragile doll.
“I’m okay, really.”
They had just gotten her into the house and shaken off the umbrellas when she had another contraction. Suddenly, her water broke. “Yikes!” The gush added to everything dripping on the tile floor.
“Oh my God, did your water just break?” Gabriella asked.
“It would appear so,” Ruth said. “I’m so sorry. Your floor…”
Gabriella laughed. “Do you know how many times I soaked our floor in Boston?”
“Seven?” Kizzy asked, smiling.
“Almost. I went to the hospital before my water broke with Ryan. He was my first, and I was nervous. After that, it was a piece of cake. Should we go to the hospital?” she asked.
“No!” both Kizzy and Ruth said at once.
Gabriella paused and then asked, “Oh. Is this a paranormal birth? Are you nervous about your unusual DNA or something?”
Ruth laughed. “No, this child is one hundred percent human. Witch DNA doesn’t look any different from yours. We’re human, just not in need of a hospital—yet. I want my sister by my side. I’m not sure a hospital will let her into the delivery room, but I’ll have the baby in the hallway if they don’t.”
Kizzy asked, “Can I get you a cup of tea? Decaf coffee? Perhaps an enema?”
Gabriella laughed. “I’ll get her whatever she wants except that last item. You just stay by your sister.”
Ruth bent over with a strong contraction. Her Lamaze breathing wasn’t relieving the pain. “Kizzy.” She grabbed her sister’s hand. “I think something’s wrong. The pain is too strong too soon. I thought we’d have hours to wait, but now I think this kid is coming.”
“Oh my!” Gabriella exclaimed. “How exciting. We have an extra guest room, if that’s where you would be most comfortable giving birth.”
“Kizz, I think you should do a quick pelvic exam. I really think something’s wrong.”
“How can you tell?” Kizzy asked. “Is your psychic power alerting you?”
“Yes! I know my hips are small and this child is large. I guessed I might need a C-section, but I had hoped we could magically widen the pelvis. I figured we could work on that here, where we had some privacy.”
“Is there time for that now?” Gabriella asked.
“Probably not.” Kizzy helped Ruth back toward the door. “Let’s not even bother doing a pelvic. Let’s just get you to the nearest hospital or clinic. I can do a C-section. I just need the proper equipment—sterileequipment.”
Ruth gazed at Kizzy intently. “Promise me if it comes down to a choice between me and the baby, you’ll save the child.”
Kizzy reared back. “My Goddess, you can’t be serious!”
