“Get therenow,or you can fill out divorce papers instead of a birth certificate!”
I bite my lips, trying to keep from laughing, knowing damn well she doesn’t mean it.
“Don’t worry, Tally, we’re breaking every traffic law there is for you,” Nash chimes in, somewhere near Tim.
“Drive safely,” I tell them, ending the call. I don’t want to agitate Tally further, who is now sobbing in the back. Shannon has settled beside her, offering silent support as I push the BMW to its limits, racing against time to rush Tally to the hospital.
“We’re almost there, Tally. You can do this. Your mom is right beside you, and I’m here. You’re not alone,” I assure her, my voice steady despite my racing heart.
“Come on, baby, faster,” I whisper to the car, urging it to defy its limits.
From the back seat, Tally’s cries pierce the tense air. “Mom, it hurts so much.” She sobs, and I glance in the rearview mirror to see Shannon stroke her head.
“I know, but you’re strong, Tallulah. You can do this. And all this pain will be forgotten when you hold the little shrimp in your arms,” Shannon encourages.
I recite what Shannon said, happy when Tally seems to calm down a bit because I don’t in the slightest.
Finally, the hospital comes into view. I’ve never been so relieved to see a building in my life. I park haphazardly and rush to help Tally out while calling to a nurse who is standing at the entry. When I finally have her out of the car, nurses are already on their way with a wheelchair.
As we rush into the hospital, Tally seems to calm even more, happy to be around people who know what they’re doing. And I am too.
I was so not ready to play midwife.
But fuck, can Tim get here already?
Inside, the hospital staff takes over, but Tally holds my hand in a vice grip, so I follow her into the room they set up for her, helping out as much as I can while they settle her in. While they’re occupied, I send a quick text to North.
Borrowed your car. Baby’s coming. Sorry for any speeding tickets!
“You’re doing amazing, Tallulah,” Shannon tells her, stroking her head. I look over to the nurse, who is getting a needle in Tally’s hand before looking back at Tally.
“Your mom would be so proud. I bet she would think that you’re doing amazing and be stroking your head.” Tally nods, understanding what I’m trying to say.
“I’m so glad she’s here,” Tally whispers, and Shannon smiles softly.
Then my phone buzzes with a message from North, and I cringe before I’ve even read it.
Fuck, he’s gonna be mad.
North
You guys okay? Do you need anything?
Huh.
Happy that he’s at least not spanking my ass over my text, I quickly type back.
All good so far. Waiting for Tim to show up. Tally’s a trooper.
The nurse is talking to Tally about pain meds, and I sigh, leaning back against the cold hospital wall and closing my eyes. Hospitals have always made me uneasy. It’s a place where people die.
And I can feel them dying.
It’s the same as if a ghost appears, a chill running down my neck.
Their spirits appear when their souls leave their bodies.
But now, after the mental institution, after being locked away, the clinical scents in here are too familiar, too triggering, and being inside here for long is going to suck.
