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"What's going on?" I ask. "I'm..."
My panic rises as I listen to Jesse on the phone, as Sadie takes me by one arm and Jake the other. Eli is right behind us, Jesse ahead, Teresa holding baby Lily as we all head toward the door.
"Reagan?" Jesse's voice says out on the porch. "Hey, it's Jesse. I need you to come down to the clinic...and don't freak out."
He pauses.
"I'm bringing Piper down to see you."
The car ride through the woods is painful. My stomach keeps aching, cramps racking me, my breath coming out in hisses. It's too early, too early...I can't have this baby right now. Jesse puts his hand on my knee and squeezes gently, and his presence makes me feel at least a little better.
"Easy, Piper," he murmurs. "You're gonna be just fine."
"This isn't how I pictured Caleb finding out about us," I hiss.
He laughs. "We're gonna be fine."
As we make our way to the clinic, I can feel the pain intensifying. It's coming in waves now, each one more excruciating than the last. I'm scared, but the thought of losing this baby scares me even more. I can't imagine going through everything I've been through only to lose the one thing that's brought me hope in so long.
When we finally pull up to the clinic, Reagan is waiting for us outside. My heart twists at the sight of her, worry coursing through me that she'll turn me away. I know she wouldn't do that, but...I can't help being scared.
Her eyes widen as we get out of the car. She's a little curvier than the last time I saw her--one baby having changed her body, a baby withCaleb--but her blonde hair and glasses are the same. She looks tired, but she doesn't even bother saying anything to me about what's going on.
She takes it all in stride.
Her husband's ex having her brother-in-law's baby...and all she cares about is making sure I'm okay.
How did I get so lucky?
"Come inside," she says, gesturing for us to follow her. "Let's get you checked out."
I'm in so much pain now that I can hardly walk. Jesse helps me, his arm steady around my waist. I'm grateful for his presence. For his hand that keeps me anchored to this planet, to reality, to consciousness. An exam room is already prepped for me, and Reagan helps me up onto the table as I hiss out a breath, squeezing Jesse's hand.
Reagan's face is calm and composed as she starts examining me. I can feel her fingers probing my belly, trying to determine what's going on.
"Okay, Piper," she says finally, "you're in labor."
I gasp, my heart in my throat. No, no, it's too early. I'm not ready for this yet.
"But it's too early," I protest weakly.
"I know," she says, "but sometimes these things happen. We're going to do everything we can to make sure your baby is okay, okay?"
Her voice is soothing, but those words are never something you want to hear. And I can't help but feel like this is my fault.
My fault for all the stupid decisions I've made in my life.
My fault.
I haven't just fucked up one life...I've fucked up two.
I nod, tears streaming down my face. Jesse is there, wiping them away with a gentle touch. I can see the worry in his eyes, the fear that something might go wrong. But he's here, and that's all that matters.
Reagan turns to him. "Jesse, I'm going to need you to go fill out some paperwork for us, okay? Just basic information about Piper and the baby. Piper, how far along are you?"
"At least twenty-six weeks...but I don't really know," I say quietly. "They weren't able to give me an exact due date because I've always...ah!...I've always had irregular periods."
Reagan nods, understanding in her eyes. "Okay, we're going to do an ultrasound to check on the baby and make sure everything is okay. Try your best to relax, Piper."
