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Colton gives in, popping the hatch and loading in the bags. Micah guides Holly toward the car. He keeps trying to pick her up, and she keeps slapping at him. It's hilarious to watch. The poor man just wants to take care of her, but she's not having it. She's at the mercy of her body right now, and after a shake of Evie's head, he wisely backs off. It's a good thing they asked Evie to be their doula. They need her calm, experienced presence in the room. Micah took it so seriously, he had her take the last two weeks off work, and he paid her wage.
Micah gets Holly settled in the back seat, just as three pickup trucks come roaring back into the garage. The men all pile out, looking frantic. Kade is the first to spot us and he sprints over.
"We forgot you," he says sheepishly as he reaches us. His eyes slide to Holly in the back seat, and he winces. "Sorry for leaving without you."
Nick and Zach visibly clutch their chests when they spot Micah and Holly, leaning over to suck in deep breaths. Should I be offended Nick forgot me? Looking at the panic in his face, I decide I'll let him off the hook.
The men decide that traveling in a convoy to the hospital is the safest option. We manage that for a few blocks before Kade's truck is pulled over by the police. The officer looks a little overwhelmed when five vehicles pull over behind him. His hand clutching his gun, he peers into Kade's truck. We're just behind them in Colton's truck, and I watch through the windshield as Maverick and Kade gesture wildly. The cop still looks suspicious, but he does a lot of nodding and moves to Holly's car in the middle of the pack. He sticks his head in the back, then pops back out quickly. He grabs his radio and within a matter of minutes, we have three other police cars personally escorting us to the hospital.
Do these guys even understand how weird their lives are?
We pull up around the back of the hospital, where a valet of all things, is waiting to take the keys. We all pile out and surround Holly, who's quickly lowered into a wheelchair. I've been to this hospital before. It's the same one they took me to that night. I don't really remember anything from that night, but I remember the days of pain afterward. It's the same one Evie works at. I know she was there that night too.
I had no idea this version of a hospital existed outside of a TV show. This side is wood paneling and expensive furniture. A smiling woman in an expensive suit comes to meet our group. That's when I realize we're missing a few people.
"Where's everyone else?" I ask Janey.
"Ransom was out of town, working on something. He's heading over now. Declan and Cara were out with Mia. They're going to finish up dinner then head over. We don't want Mia getting too bored. And Maya was at the shelter. Zach's going to pick her up right now."
I spin in a circle, realizing Zach isn't with us anymore. He was definitely in the garage with us. "There's just so many people to keep track of."
Janey nods. "It takes some getting used to, for sure. It doesn't help that they never stand still either. They're like a pack of eight-year-olds with ants in their pants."
Laughing at that absolutely perfect imagery, we follow the administrator to the elevators. We have to split into two groups and the guys actually rock, paper, scissor to see who gets to go with Micah and Holly. Their sheer enthusiasm is a joy to watch. Every one of them is excited about this baby and they aren't afraid to show it.
Things mellow out upstairs. Holly gets settled in a room, we're all plied with snacks, and the guys drop into chairs in the waiting room. Nick takes my hand in his, idly playing with my fingers. I think about pulling away, but breathe through it and smile at him instead. I'm not blind to the looks we're getting, and the smiles. Nick inadvertently outed us, and it's okay. No one's yelling at us, or looking at us like we've fucked up.
I sag into my chair, so damned relieved.
For at least an hour, there's quiet conversation, and smiles. The guys enjoy their coffee and pastries and joke around. They lull everyone into a sense of calm, making all of us think this is going to be fine, when suddenly those ants in their pants kick in, and all hell breaks loose.
34
NICK
The coffee is sitting in my gut like a hot pepper, burning. This is taking too long, right? "How long does it take to have a baby?" I ask Bree, linking and unlinking our hands. I didn't realize I did it at first. I had all this pent up nervous energy, and I just reached for her. But she didn't pull away, and touching her made me feel better, so I hung on.
But it's not working anymore.
I look down the hall to where they took Holly and Micah. Evie went with them, and none of them have come out yet. Why aren't they updating us? Could something be wrong?
"I don't know for sure, but I think anywhere from twenty-four to forty-eight hours," Bree says, stroking the back of my hand.
"Forty-eight hours!" I yell. The suit lady looks over at me with a shaky smile, but I ignore her. "You're telling me this could take two days? That can't be safe, can it? They'll do something for her before that? Can they just...press on her belly and pop it out?" As soon as the words exit my mouth, I realize how stupid they are, but Maverick and Kade nod like my suggestion makes total sense. Jonas looks at me like I'm wearing a skunk for a hat.
"That's not how it works," he says in his obnoxious know it all voice. Okay, maybe it's his normal voice, but right now it feels obnoxious and know-it-all.
"Holly's body is preparing to push out something the size of a large spaghetti squash," Janey mutters, glaring at me. I've never seen her glare before. I don't like it. "It's going to take time for her body to prepare for that, so no, they're not going to just 'pop it out'."
"I hate that we have to call it they or it. I'd really like to know if they're having a boy or a girl. Why didn't they find out? Can Declan hack the records? We don't have to tell Micah and Holly. It would be just for us," Colton whines, rubbing his hands up and down his massive thighs. He sat down earlier and started unloading an entire backpack of food, including a whole roasted chicken. I have no idea where he got it, but we've all torn into it.
"I already asked," Maverick admits, lifting his head from where it was resting on the giant bears arm. He’s been stroking that damned thing for the last hour. "He told me it would be unethical."
We all stare, because what? Declan's happily done some shady shit. He could have the information we want in a minute.
"I think it's a girl," Becca says from her spot on the floor. She has her legs up the wall, and seems to be doing some sort of a dance.
"There are lots of open chairs," Jonas tells her, frowning.
