There’s shouting from downstairs. I’m hauling ass without a thought. If someone’s hurting my family, they’re gonna get a beat down.
Tera’s bent over yelling something at Xan who looks like he’s just seen a ghost.
“What the fuck’s going on?!” I shout.
Tera’s sweating and a whimper works past her lips.
“Oh hell. You’re in labor?” I ask.
She nods, teeth gritted.
“What’s his deal?” I point at Xan.
She rolls her eyes and breathes with relief as the contraction passes. “He’s been standing there like a statue. He’s no help to me. We need to call Dr. Mack and get my bag from upstairs.”
I turn to Xander, grab his shoulders, and shake him. “Snap the fuck out of it, man! Tera needs you!”
He blinks.
“Man up! Go get the fucking bag and call your dad on the way!” I shake him again. “Move, now!”
He turns, grabbing his phone out of his pocket and hauling ass up the stairs.
Tera starts panting again.
“How far apart? That seems close.” Yikes.
“I don’t know. I was baking with Mama and I got a backache. I get them all the time carrying this big baby around. But then they started in my abdomen and I knew.” She whimpers again.
“LUCY!” I bellow.
She comes running. “What’s going on?”
“Tera’s in labor.”
“Oh shit. How far apart?” Lucy asks.
“Don’t know. I just started timing. Xander’s worthless,” I tell her.
“JESSE!” Lucy shouts nearly as loud as I did.
Jesse comes sprinting into the room, eyes wild. “What? What’s wrong?”
“Tera’s in labor. Go help Xan call his dad and get the packed bag for Tera,” Lucy tells him.
Jesse doesn’t say a word. Just starts taking the stairs two at a time.
Tera’s eyes scrunch together, and I look at the clock.
“Three minutes apart and they look fucking painful,” I tell Lucy.
“I. Need. Drugs.” Tera pants.
“Car’s ready,” Frank announces from the door.
Tera hobbles out the door, not bothering to wait for Xander.
Ethan runs down the stairs. “Jesse threw this at me and said to go.”
