“My water broke in the middle of the sidewalk and I’m a half mile from home and Aston is in surgery and?—”
He curses under his breath, cutting me off. “Where are you?”
I look around and spot a street sign. “Tremont and Clarendon.”
“Don’t move. I’ll be there in not even five minutes.”
“You’re the best.”
“Just promise me I don’t have to deliver the baby in my car.”
I laugh. “You won’t. I’ve only had one contraction so far.”
“I have no clue what that means, but I’m hoping that’s good. Okay. Share your location with me, and I’m on my way.”
He hangs up, and I blow out a breath, but I send him my location and hang tight against the wall. Despite being as nervous as I am, I’m also bubbling with uncontainable excitement. I rub my hand over my large belly.
“No more Josh,” I tell my little girl. “Only Daddy Aston.” I snicker at that, thinking about how I teased him by calling him Daddy. So much has happened, and yet everything now feels as it should. Like I was always going to get here with him.
A few minutes later, Roman’s G-Wagon pulls up. He double-parks and gets out, not giving a fuck about anyone as he rushes over to me.
“How are you doing, kid?”
I hug him. I’m so happy to see him and so overwhelmed, and I need a hug. “I’m happy and scared.”
“That goes for me too.”
I laugh and smack his shoulder. “I don’t want to call Aston until I’m at the hospital. He’s in surgery.”
“I’ve got you. Come on.” He wraps his arm around me and helps me up into his SUV. Smart man has a thick towel on my seat, and I feel better knowing I won’t ruin his leather. He hops back in and does a crazy U-turn in the middle of the road, and off we go. “Do you want me to call anyone else? Your parents or Aston’s?”
“I will once I’m checked in.”
“You’re very calm,” he tells me with a hint of teasing. “It’s very un-Skylar-like.”
“I know. It’s freaking me out too.”
He laughs and reaches over to take my hand. “You’re going to be just fine. More than that, you’re going to be an amazing mother.”
“Thank you.” I look over at my cousin. “I just have to get through the birth part first.”
Ten minutes later, we’re pulling up in front of the hospital, and the valet takes the car. I called my OB’s office on the way over and told them I was in labor. Thankfully, they have a wheelchair and a nurse here waiting for me. I’m brought up to antepartum and admitted and then brought into a room and hooked up to monitors.
Roman has been on his phone, and I know he’s texting our group chat. I’ve heard my phone buzzing in my purse. Aston told me he’d call when he was out of surgery, and he hasn’t yet. It’s making me edgy. I want him here with me.
“Your parents and Aston’s are on their way.”
I sigh. “That was fast.”
He shrugs. “Braelyn was up in the ICU and saw your mom, and you know how she is. There was no holding her back once I texted that you’re in labor.”
“You should go,” I tell him. “This could take hours to all night.”
He gives me a dry look. “I’m not going anywhere, and you know it. Forest is on his way, Hayes is flying home tonight, and Quinn and Crew will be back tomorrow after the game that Crew already said he’s going to get a touchdown in for you and the baby.”
“You guys are—oh! Wow. Yeah, this hurts.” My eyes pinch up tight as my belly tenses with a contraction.
“Shit. Breathe or do whatever you’re supposed to do.”
