CHAPTER TEN
"Jessa?" Lily scrambled to get off the bed and around to the other side so she could see her sister's face. "What's wrong?"
Jessa panted for a few seconds before managing to say, "That one took my breath away."
Lily laid her hand on Jessa's stomach and felt the hardness there. It didn't ease away like the last one she'd felt. Her gaze met Jessa's, and she could see the fear there. "This is different."
Jessa nodded. "And I think my water just broke."
Lily jumped to her feet. "I'll be right back."
Yesterday Cami had stayed to make sure she and Jessa were okay even though Lily had insisted she could handle things. Now she desperately wished Cami or Amy—anyone—was still there at the manor. But she’d assured them she’d stick close to Jessa and they’d be fine while they took the kids to Laurel’s.
Out in the upper hallway she glanced around. Noticing Nate's door was closed, she took a chance that he was stillhome.
She ran to his door and pounded on it with her fist. "Nate! Nate!"
Relief flooded her when she heard a muffled, "Hang on. I'm coming."
The door jerked open, and Nate stood there, concern written all over his face. "What's wrong?"
"Jessa said her water just broke. I think she needs to go to the hospital. I’m still not sure I should drive after my latest flare up, and no one else is here."
"Let me get changed," he said, motioning to the long, athletic shorts and muscle shirt he wore. "I'll be right there."
Lily nodded and raced back to Jessa's room. Her sister sat on the edge of the bed, her body bent forward. "Nate's still here. He'll take us to the hospital."
"Call Lance." The two words were edged in pain.
"Another one?"
Jessa nodded.
Sticking close to her, Lily pulled her cell phone from her pocket and quickly dialed Lance's number.
"Hello?"
Realizing that Lance probably didn't recognize her number, she said, "It's Lily. Jessa's water broke and we're taking her to the hospital."
There was silence on his end for what seemed like forever before he said, "I'm at a site about half an hour south of town. I'll meet you at the hospital as soon as I can."
After ending the call, Lily helped Jessa to the bathroom where she changed out of her wet clothes and into the dry ones Lily found for her. When they came back into the bedroom, Nate was standing in the doorway. "Ready to go?"
"Grab my bag, please, Lil," Jessa said, pointing to the closet doors. She held out her phone. "And put this in the pocket."
Lily hurried to the closet and found the bag sitting on the floor just inside the door. She picked it up and joined Nate, who had slipped his arm around Jessa's waist. Jessa leaned on him as they made their way to the stairs, pausing briefly so Lily could grab her purse. Halfway down, Jessa let out a groan, and Nate immediately stopped. Lily moved around in front of Jessa and together she and Nate held her as she breathed through the contraction.
Lily's gaze met Nate's as they waited for the tension to leave Jessa's body. She could see the concern there that was no doubt reflective of what was in hers.
Jessa took a deep breath and blew it out as she straightened. "Now I remember the pain."
Lily found her legs shaking as they continued down the rest of the steps.
Please, God, don't let my body fail me now.
But she knew that the stress of the situation combined with the exertion she'd already expended were not a good combination.
They helped Jessa to the rear door of Nate's truck. Jessa balked momentarily. "We should have grabbed a towel. I don't want anything to mess up your seats."
