Laken doubles over and Skyla is quick to navigate her this way. And, of course, Coop gloms onto her side, offering his undying assistance.
“What’s wrong?” I dash over, breathless, my eyes wide with concern. “Is it the baby?”
“I think so.” She grabs onto me, her full weight resting against my chest. “I don’t know. I’ve had intense back pains all morning long, and now it seems to have shifted to the underside of my belly.”
Skyla groans, “Laken, that’s called back labor. We’d better get you to the hospital.”
“No,” Laken is quick to protest. “Skyla, get Ezrina and meet me upstairs. Coop, you’re coming with me.” She clutches onto his hand as the two of us help her inside.
Usually I’d be livid that Coop gets to play such a prime role, that she didn’t ask Coop to get Ezrina and hauled Skyla up with her like I think she should have. But a part of me realizes that as each day passes, he’s something akin to a safety net for her at this point.
I’ll deal with Coop after the baby is born. Gage isn’t going to help. I’ll have to make this look like an accident. I’m not putting up with his shit forever. His days are numbered. I’m sorry, Laken, but it’s for the best.
We get Laken situated in bed, and she’s already writhing in pain by the time Ezrina runs up with Skyla.
Ezrina is quick to glove up before she shoves her hand beneath Laken’s dress as she pokes and prods around.
“This one will come quickly.” She nods to Skyla. “Have Heathcliff bring the supplies and the bucket.”
“Coop, why don’t you go?” I say it stern and Laken shoots me the death stare.
“Skyla goes.” She picks up Cooper’s hand, then mine. “My two best friends stay with me. Wesley, you’re my husbandandmy best friend,” she says the emphasis on the fact, and it makes me feel like an insecure jackass. Laken loves me or she wouldn’t be with me. It’s as simple as that. If anyone should be feeling insecure, it’s Coop.
I kiss the back of her hand and don’t leave her side for a minute as the melee around her increases.
Her panting becomes prominent to the point I’d swear she’s about to pass out.
“Wes”—she can hardly get my name out—“I need the drugs now.”
“Ezrina,” I bark at the witch as she congregates in the corner with her husband and Skyla. “Give Laken something to take the edge off.”
Ezrina scuttles over and shoves her hand under the blanket covering Laken.
“Can’t. She’s too far.”
“Oh God,” Skyla groans. “That happened to me.” She floats over and sits her enormous frame on the side of the bed and the entire mattress nearly tips over.
“Coop”—I bark—“get Skyla a chair.”
“Screw the chair!” Laken howls. “Coop, find Ellis and steal whatever the hell he has in his pockets. Now!” she shrieks and Coop is gone in a flash.
“Laken”—Skyla pleads—“Wes is going to get you through this. Just breathe.”
“Oh, shut the hell up. Wes isn’t going to get me through this. He’s the one that got me into this mess to begin with.” She glances up at me with a fire in her eyes. “You keep your penis the hell away from me, you hear?” A horrible wailing cry escapes her.
Ezrina gloves up once again, and soon there’s an array of stainless steel tools by her side, a bevy of clean towels, a basin, and a bucket next to her on the floor.
“Breathe with me, Laken.” Skyla starts in slow, in through the nose, out through the mouth, and Laken follows suit. Her death grip on my hand could break a mortal’s bones.
“It’s time,” Ezrina announces just as Coop glides back into the room and assumes his position on the other side of her. “Come, Wesley. You’ll deliver your angel yourself.”
Laken nods furiously at me as she struggles to maintain the breathing exercise Skyla is insisting upon. And thank God for Skyla, because it seems to be quelling her pain.
I make my way to the edge of the bed and see the bulge waiting to burst out of Laken’s body. Ezrina adjusts the blanket over Laken’s knees to act as a tent so that the view is for my eyes only. Sorry, Coop. This is a private show.
Ezrina gently touches the side of Laken’s belly. “Push with this one.”
And she does—evicting a beautiful thick, dark head of hair, a tiny face. A beautiful, beautiful face.
