Me
I’m fine Tatum, if that changes, you will be the first to know. I love you.
Tatum
I better be, I love you too. I’ll try to make it up there at some point.
Me
I’d love that, if not I’ll see you after.
“He’s worried about you isn’t he?” Victoria asks, reading over my shoulder.
“Hey, nosey!” I lock my phone and place it in my lap, “but yes he is very worried.”
“Well you are getting to that point, you probably shouldn’t be here in all this excitement.”
“I wasn’t going to miss this game. It might be the last one of the season.”
“Okay, whatever you say sweetie.” She smiles softly at me, I know she wants to mom me but I think she can tell that I’m not feeling that right now.
The lights in the arena dim, and the girls, plus Bella, join us at the front of the box, screaming, hooting, and hollering for the guys as they skate onto the ice. Maverick of course finds the box, pointing his stick at his girls,and placing his hand over his heart. I wonder if Tate would’ve done something similar for me had he been able to continue playing after his injury.
The puck drops and all hell breaks loose, the Houston Knights manage to get possession of the puck and beeline it for Nik and the net. Dom isn’t about to let that happen but when one of the opposing players bumps him, he loses his mind. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sin’s hands cover her mouth as she watches Dom grab him by the jersey and push him back. They both end up in the penalty box leaving Nik with one less person helping protect the net and letting Houston secure the first goal of the game.
* * *
It’sthe final period of the game, and I’m standing with my hands on my lower back. As the game has progressed, so has my back pain. During the second period, I began to feel an occasional tightening in my abdomen. They were pretty far apart at first, but now we are in the final period and they are getting closer together. My chest is heaving with each one. When I see Kodi nudge Sin out of the corner of my eye, I know I’m done for.
“Darcy Marie Whitestone, are you in fucking labor right now?” Sinclair yells, visibly pissed I didn’t say anything.
“Uh, no? I mean… I don’t know. Yes?” I smile sheepishly at her.
“Oh my god.” Harley rolls her eyes, “I’m calling Tate. Let’s go.”
In a flash, Bella is in Victoria’s arms, and Kodi is guiding me out of the box and down to the player exit. Sin is leading the charge, and everyone else follows closely behind us as Harley speaks quietly into the phone. Tatum’s Porsche squeals to a halt in front of the door and he jumps out, breathing heavily as he approaches me.
“Darcy, Mama, are you okay? What can I do?” Tatum’s voice is filled with tension as he flings the door to the Porsche open for me, helping me in and securing my seatbelt.
“Getting me to the hospital would be a great place to start.” I grit as another contraction hits.
“See you all there!” He yells before hopping in, leaving our friends in the dust.
“Did you call Rose?”
“As soon as I hung up with Harley.”
“We need to call Dr. Freyer and I’ll text my mom,” I tell him, trying to keep my breathing even and dialing the number they gave for when labor starts.
“Tampa Hospital, this is Leanne, how can I help you?” A high-pitched yet bubbly voice greets through the phone.
“I’m in labor.” That’s all I can get out before a gush of liquid leaves my body, “holy shit my water broke.”
“Oh fuck.” Tatum’s tone is calm, but the way his shoulders bunch and the car starts moving a little faster betrays him.
“Okay, ma’am, are you on your way in? What’s your name and who is your doctor? How far apart are your contractions?” Leanne quizzes calmly, keys clacking in the background.
“We should be there in the next ten minutes. My name is Darcy Whitestone and it’s Dr. Freyer. Contractions are about four minutes apart right now.”
