Page 103 of A Merry Little Christmas

Cole’s jaw dropped and he pulled back to look at her. ‘Not until the baby comes, surely?’

She giggled despite the pain. ‘No, between contractions. Cole, I think this baby is as keen to see its new room as I was.’

‘OK.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘Maternity hospital. In the snow. Right now. Bloody hell.’

She leaned her head on his chest. Her hands gripping his arms. She puffed out her cheeks and blew rapidly. Once the worst of it was over, he helped her navigate the stairs.

Freya bounded up to them, brushing pastry crumbs from her lips. ‘My room is smaller than Harley’s, but when he leaves home, can I swap?’

‘Of course,’ Merry panted.

‘Cool. Harley?’ To Merry’s relief, she went off to tell her brother.

‘Let’s go.’ Cole poked his head into the front room on the way past. ‘Merry has gone into labour, we’ll see you later.’

His announcement was met with noisy replies, and they all scampered out to the truck to wave them off.

Emily squealed. ‘I’m about to be an auntie. On Christmas Eve.’ She dashed forward clumsily to hug Merry. ‘Dad would be so proud. I love you.’

‘Love you too,’ Merry grunted, ‘but can you get off my toe.’

‘Oops.’

‘Righto,’ Fred bellowed. ‘Everyone keep calm! Do you need any cash, son? For the car park. Or a cup of tea. Course you don’t. Best of luck with it, Merry.’

‘Every time you see me, you need to be hospitalised,’ Hester teased. ‘I’m going to get a complex.’

‘Good grief,’ spluttered Will. ‘I’ve heard of the expression new house, new baby, but this takes the biscuit.’

‘Or the mince pie, in this case,’ Fred chuckled.

‘Be a girl!’ Freya held up her crossed fingers and squeezed her eyes tightly shut. ‘A girl!’

‘Don’t be as annoying as this girl,’ Harley sniggered, copying his sister’s body language and crossing his fingers.

‘Breathwork,’ Paul said earnestly. ‘Stay in control of your body through the breath.’

Merry grimaced. ‘Thanks, Paul, but I’ll be taking all the drugs. Someone else can control this situation for a few hours.’

Astrid kissed both her cheeks. ‘I can’t wait to meet your baby, mein Schatz. And make sure you take lots of photos as soon as it’s born.’

‘Enough chatter,’ said Cole, helping her into the truck. ‘See you later, everyone.’

‘My hospital bag!’ Merry gasped, gripping his hand. ‘I’m not giving birth without it.’

‘Don’t worry. It’s already in the truck, behind the passenger seat,’ he said with a hint of pride.

‘Of course it is. And that is why I love you.’

‘I’m a planner, remember. I was going to take it everywhere with us until your induction date.’

She leaned back hard against the seat, bracing herself with her hands. ‘I’m not sure this baby of yours got the memo about waiting for induction day,’ she panted. ‘This one might have my more spontaneous attitude to life.’

As Cole started the engine and reversed off the drive, everyone in the house waved and shouted their goodbyes from the doorstep.

‘If it puts your mind at rest,’ said Cole, accelerating cautiously along the road, ‘I’ve watched a YouTube video of a birth happening in the car on the way to the hospital. It worked out well and the father even managed to cut the umbilical cord.’

‘Thank you.’ Merry shuddered and laughed despite the rising panic. She crossed her legs with great difficulty. ‘I think that image has effectively temporarily halted labour.’