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“We don’t have three fucking minutes!”
Lori rarely shouted, rarely swore. So for her to do both at the same time drove home that they were in a whole heap of shit.
“Christ.” He slewed the car to a stop. Cut the engine. Thrust open the door and sped around to her side. Reaching beneath the seat, he lifted the lever and pushed the seat back as far as it would go. Crouching in the footwell, hunched over, he lifted Lori’s dress and eased her legs apart.
A mop of dark hair greeted him.
“Ohhh, Lori. I think the head is out.” His heart hammered against his ribcage. Hold it together. Don’t fucking lose it. Not now. Breathe.
“Zane.” She death-gripped his shoulder. “Oh god. It hurts. It hurts.” She made this screeching sound. “I have to push.”
Newfound respect for the love of his life burst through his chest. “You got this, Lori. You’re fucking amazing.”
She screamed, and the baby shot out of her and right into his waiting arms.
“Is it okay? God, please let it be okay.”
Plump rosy lips opened, and a wail filled the car. Tears ran down Zane’s face, and he sought out Lori. “She, baby. It’s a she. And she’s perfect. Just like you.”
A tentative knocking sounded on the hospital room door and Calum poked his head inside, a shit-eating grin taking up half his face.
“Hey, Daddy-O. Okay to come in?”
Zane lifted a finger to his lips and pointed to Lori, who’d crashed about an hour ago. Their daughter was also asleep in a plastic crib beside the bed, but as exhausted as Zane was, he hadn’t been able to stop staring at both of them. His daughter had reached into his chest, gotten a hold of his heart, and run off with it. And his pride in Lori knew no bounds.
“Sorry,” Calum whispered. “Want us to come back?”
Zane shook his head, motioning to Calum and a very excited-looking Laurella. “Just keep it down. She’s wiped out. Both our parents were here for a while, and she crashed as soon as they left.”
The two of them bent over the crib. Laurella’s face melted, and Calum just shook his head as if the whole affair dazed him.
He wasn’t the only one.
“She looks like Lori,” he said. “Thank Christ for small mercies.”
Zane smiled. “Apart from the mop of hair.” He scuffed a hand over the top of his head.
“I can’t believe you had to deliver her.” Calum let out a low chuckle. “A hundred bucks said you crapped yourself.”
“I was the epitome of calm.” Zane caught Laurella’s eye and winked.
“Bullshit.”
“She’s beautiful, Zane,” Laurella said with a dig to Calum’s side. “And you, watch your language with little ears around.”
“Don’t think she understands curse words yet, Ella.”
“Well, she will. And as her godfather, you’re expected to set an example. So I suggest you start now.”
Zane grinned. “That’s told you, buddy.”
Lori stirred, keening as she stretched. Her eyes fluttered. “I’m with Laurella, Brook. Mind your language.” She opened her eyes all the way, smiled, and wriggled upright.
“Sorry.” Calum grimaced. “Did we wake you?”
“Yes, you did. But it’s okay. She’ll need to be fed soon anyway.” She leaned over the crib and caressed the baby’s cheek with her forefinger. “Isn’t she amazing?”
“She’s gorgeous,” Laurella said. “Do we have a name yet?”
