AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Juliette materializes in the living room like a ticked off ghost—eyebrows clashing in the tightest frown, fingers set on crushing the glass of water in her hands. In the weeks we’ve been at odds, she has mastered the art of glaring.
“Japanese swordsmiths dream of blades as sharp as your eyes,” I joke. Juliette loves Japan and everything about it, so maybe it’ll have some effect.
She rolls her eyes, but midway through the gesture, she issues a slight gasp and presses a hand over her abdomen. “That was a strong one.”
“I saw it.” The tiny foot stretching her skin and her clothes. “It looks brutal.”
“It feels brutal. She’s been like this all week.” Rubbing her side, Juliette smiles, but only for a moment. She remembers she hates me and jerks her face toward the window.
Encouraged by my tiny victory, I leave the guitar on the couch and come closer. “Did you settle on a name?”
“Don’t even try.”
“Why not?” I stand in front of her in such a way that she won’t be able to ignore me. “Are you happy that things are so broken between us?”
“Since when do you care if anyone’s happy but yourself?”
Ouch. “I miss you.”
“I don’t miss you. I don’t miss worrying about every step I take with you and Shane together in the same room—” She hisses and rubs her belly.
“Are you okay?” I try to take the glass out of her hands, but she elbows me away.
“I’m fine. Braxton-Hicks. Practice contractions. Yet another way for my body to make sure I never forget what’s coming.”
Juliette sounds bitter, which is so unlike her, and I think I know why. “A lot of people make pregnancy look like joy, but you’ve been having nothing but a rough time upon rough time.”
“I told you. Stop trying—” She gasps again, a lot louder this time, and drops the glass. It falls onto the carpet with a muffled but all the more ominous thud, water splashing and soaking into my socks. Juliette grabs onto my arm with both hands. “Jace,” she whimpers, “something is wrong.”
I pick her up and bring her onto the couch. Fingers digging into my skin, Juliette pants. She’s so suddenly pale.
“We need to get you to the hospital.” I smooth out her hair and command my hands to stop shaking. Only one of us is allowed to freak out right now.
Juliette manages a nod. “Yes. Okay.”
“Do you want to try and walk to the car on your own or should I carry you again?”
She closes her eyes and takes several agonized breaths. She wants to walk, I can tell, but it’s obvious she won’t be able to.
“I got you.” Cradling her in my arms, I lift Juliette and do my best to hurry. She crushes my neck in her embrace, her suddenly wet cheek pressed against mine, and despite my best effort, panic eats me up. I’ve never seen her in this much pain.
“What if something is wrong with the baby?” she cries.
“She’s okay. Hold on.” I have to set Juliette onto her feet so I can open my car door. “We’re taking you to get help. You two will be fine.” I hold her face and make her look at me. “You will be okay. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. And after I buckle you in, we’ll call Shane. He’ll zip right back to you. Sounds good?”
“Yes.” Holding her middle, she whimpers once more.
I open the back door and help her get in.
“You will be okay,” I repeat. Because if anything happens to her— No, no, no. Everything will be fine. It has to be.
Juliette tells me which hospital to drive her to, then I dial Shane. My skin crawls with scorching impatience as seconds and rings pass by. Pick up!
He does. “Wh—”
“I’m taking Jules to the hospital. Something is…happening.”
Shane does an audible intake of breath. “We’re on our way, but don’t wait for us. We’ll meet up with you there.”
