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They’d always been hampered with the extent of repairs they could do because of the limited funds they had to spend. But this… this would be life changing for literally thousands of people.
Tears of joy sprang to her eyes, and she clamped a hand over her mouth to stop the sob breaking free. The others were looking at her like she’d grown two heads, but Bryce’s and Cole’s arms surrounded her, wrapping her in their brand of love and protection. Now she had everything she ever dreamed of—she got to work with the two loves of her life, creating a home for them and for others. They could genuinely help the people who couldn’t afford to buy their high-end products—the battlers, the ones struggling, the ones who were feeling the pinch of higher interest rates and ridiculous rents.
It was the best gift anyone could have given her.
Trust Queen to have delivered.
“What’s wrong?” Liam asked, horrified.
“We just got a massive donation,” Bryce explained. “We’re going to change a lot of lives with it.”
“From whom?” Jake asked.
“A… friend.” Was it right to call a woman who they didn’t know a friend? What they did know was both scary and a mix of intimidating and a bit like taking a walk on the wild side. She’d helped them, asking nothing in return, but she’d cleaned out a shitbag of a person’s assets in doing so. Ava should probably be worried about what message that sent, but she focussed on what was important—the people who would benefit from their help. Ava clarified, “They dislike your sperm donor as much as we do.”
“Do you need volunteers?” Jake asked, his gaze flicking to his husband who immediately nodded.
“I’ll help.”
“You might as well count us all in,” King chimed in and shrugged. “It’s what we do—”
“Ah, guys.” Cassie grasped Phoenix’s arm and cried out, slapping Jake’s leg to get his attention. “I… I think my waters just broke.”
Phoenix’s squeak was as much comical as panic-inducing. The hospital was nearly an hour’s drive from their house. Ava’s heart slammed against her chest. Did they need to call an ambulance? When were the hot towels needed? Surely not yet. What the hell did they do?
She sat there frozen, blinking like an owl, and forgetting to breathe.
Jake just grinned, pride shining in his eyes and his smile lighting up his entire being. Never mind Cassie having a pregnancy glow, Jake was incandescent. “Cass, we have plenty of time—”
She groaned, sucking in a breath as she squeezed Phoenix’s hand until it turned white.
“How long have you been having contractions for?” Ezio asked, going to her. He rested a hand on her belly before flicking his gaze to his partners, his face a mask of calm but his eyes communicating just how urgent things were. “Rob, I need my bag out of the car. Mike, get ready to bring itdown here. We might need to make a dash for the hospital.”
“We’ve got everything in our car,” Jake assured him.
“Cassie, I need you to answer me, hon. Have you been having contractions? Or is this a sudden pain?”
“Just cramps,” she breathed, gnashing her teeth together as her belly visibly tightened again. “Been getting them since last night. Didn’t sleep much.”
“I need to examine you, Cass. I need to check how far dilated you are. Going to the hospital isn’t a good idea if you’re too far along.”
“No,” she ordered stubbornly. “This baby is being born in a hospital. Calm music and candles burning with doctors and nurses fucking everywhere.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. We can do this.”
Ava loved how he said that. Yes, Ezio was a doctor, but that was just like their friends. There was never a “you.” It was always “us” and “we.” Whenever someone was needed, there was never a question whether the others would be there.
“Kids, how about we go and check out the chickens in the coop?” Emma said. “Anyone who’s not necessary can come with us.” Nick picked up one of the twins and Katy hoisted the other on her hip.
“Come with me, munchkin man,” she cooed. Levi and Connor were both around her side of the table before she could even get him settled, Levi lifting the little man to his shoulders. Adelaide and Lexi took Helena’s little hand and swung her between them as they walked down the hill, Jax taking off after them wanting to have a go.
Cole picked up one of the meat trays, Liam and King following. Between them, they grabbed most of the platters. “What do you need me to do?” Ava asked Ezio. “I can help.”
“Can we use one of the spare rooms?” He turned to Cassie. “I promise, if it’s safe to go, I’ll come with you. We’ll get you to the hospital.”
“Absolutely,” Ava answered.
Bryce stepped forward. “Can I carry you, Cass? Or would you prefer to walk?” She shook her head so Bryce let Jake help her up. She could see that all Jake wanted to do was pick her up and take away the pain, but Cassie was strong.
