“I don’t want to ruin Rose’s party,” Annabelle said around another moan.
“Don’t be silly, Annabelle, having a baby will not ruin it. She’ll love it. My daughter will be able to boss your child around on their special day. What’s not to like? Plus, double the cake and ice cream.”
“Another contraction!” Annabelle screeched.
“That’s close,” Dr. McBride senior said, far too calmly as far as Lani was concerned.
“Go tell Branna now, Lani.”
She hurried out of the room and found Branna. “Annabelle’s in labor, and they’re checking her over now but Dr. McBride senior said the contractions are close.”
“Trust her to have the baby quickly. I was in labor for days.” Branna was smiling. “I’m so excited.”
Lani told her what Jake needed.
“Okay, come with me, and I’ll give you the clean sheets and towels.”
“I should really go now.”
“If you could just run this linen in first, please, Lani.”
Annabelle let out a scream that rattled the walls, and Macy appeared, looking breathless. “Is it true about Annabelle?”
“You didn’t hear that?” Branna nodded to the room behind them.
“No, is she screaming already?”
“We all knew she was going to be one of those, to be fair,” Branna said. “If you can watch over the party, Macy, I’d be grateful, and I’ll just get the things they may need.”
“Okay, no worries, you let me know if you need anything else.”
They all seemed so calm. Surely the party should be canceled?
She followed Branna and held out her arms for the linen.
“Take that in, and I’ll check back soon to see if they need anything else.”
Lani tapped on the door behind which Annabelle was moaning, and then entered. “Where do you want this?”
Jake waved to a side table. He was at the end of the bed with his mother. Lani looked away to give Annabelle privacy.
“I don’t know if I want you between my wife’s legs.” Ethan stood holding Annabelle’s hand.
“We played doctors and nurses plenty as children, so we’re good,” Jake added.
“He’s a bit bigger than you,” Annabelle gritted out between pants.
“I cannot believe you said that when our child could hear!” Ethan roared.
Jake started laughing so hard he was soon crying.
Lani couldn’t believe they were still teasing each other at a time like this.
“We’re not into mushy words, but this works,” Jake told her, seemingly reading her mind.
“I need you to concentrate on your breathing for me now, Annabelle. Ethan, you go on and get some ice chips and water. Also a damp cloth,” Dr McBride senior said.
The harried Texan left at a sprint.
