“I don’t want the amniotic fluid on my feet.It’s sticky.And gross.Plus, labor can last twenty-four hours, so we have time.”
Luka paled and swayed a little before he set his jaw.“You willnotdo this for twenty-four fucking hours.”
I giggled as I patted his chest.“Bree will come when she’s ready.We don’t control this show.She does.”
He mumbled something that sounded suspiciously likethe fuck I can’tjust as another contraction caught me off guard.This one slammed into my belly and wrenched a startled scream past my lips.
“Two minutes and fifty-eight seconds.Holy shit.Shit.Hospital!Now.Go bag.Need the go bag.After.I’m holding you.Rubbing your shoulders.Are you breathing?Millie, breathe through the contraction.”
I would have laughed at Luka’s predicament if my insides weren’t trying to push out through my skin.I didn’t like labor.
“Keys, bag, wallet, flip-flops for Millie.Call Cormac and Keelie.No, first, call the doctor.”
Luka called my obstetrician as he held me, swaying slightly.His obvious care brought tears to my eyes.Even now, in the intensity of this moment, Luka somehow managed to give me everything I’d dreamed a life with him could be.Another contraction seized my body, and I dropped into a squat, trying to find a position that eased the unbearable ache in my hips, lower back, and belly.Luka dropped his phone as he sought to soothe me.
“Dr.Lopez will meet us at the hospital.We just need to get you there.”He repeated that over again.
Someone pounded on the door just as the last of the cramp eased.I froze, shock and fear searing through my system.
“Who?”A terrible thought crossed my mind.“Trent?”I squeaked.We hadn’t heard from him since the airport, and I’d been waiting.
Luka stared back at me, wide-eyed, still shirtless and in his underwear.“I don’t know.I’ll get it—”
“Don’t leave me,” I squealed, clutching him tighter.Rational?No way.But Luka was my security.
“Okay.We’ll go together.Can you move?”
“Y-yes.”I stepped forward, but it was more of a shuffle, made even more inelegant because I was clutching Luka’s arm.We eased our way slowly toward the door, and I flinched when another round of pounding rattled the locks.
“I heard Millie crying,” Cruz rumbled.“You okay?”
“It’s Cruiser,” Luka mumbled.“See?All good.Just let me grab the door.I won’t let go, Millie.I have you…”
Luka leaned forward and gripped the door handle with his fingertips just as Cruz flung it open, nearly catching Luka’s nose.He stumbled back with a yelp that sent him—and me—against the back of the sofa.Luka cradled me gently as he glared at Cruz.
“The fuck, man?”Luka began.
“She’s in labor?”Cruz asked, no nonsense.
“Yes,” I said.Another contraction ramped up.“I don’t want to do this anymore…”
“I got you, Millie.You’re doing so well with your breathing,” Luka cooed.But his eyes were wide.
“Youbreathe, hockey man.And have this baby,” I gritted.“I don’t want to!”The last ended in a shriek.
“Definitely labor,” Cruz said.“I’m grabbing her bag—“
“And her flip-flops,” Luka said.
“And flip-flops.Then you should put on some clothes so we can get to the hospital.I’ll drive your car so you can sit in the back with her.”
“Solid plan,” Luka said.
It was.Once Luka dressed and I had my flip-flops, I walked down the steps by myself, and we only had to stop once for another contraction.We settled in the car, and I heaved a sigh of relief.
“Twenty minutes,” Luka said, stroking my hair away from my sweating cheeks.“Then you’ll see your doctor and get an epidural, and—shit!Millie, I need my fingers.Not so hard, sweetheart.”
Chapter13
