My heart pounds in my chest as I bend down and capture her lips in a slow, gentle kiss.
Someone clears their throat behind me, and I reluctantly pull away.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I really need to check on my patient.” Dr. Bell’s familiar, cheerful voice fills the room.
I straighten and glance over my shoulder. She’s standing in the doorway with a knowing smile.
“It’s good that Ms. Evans has you, Mr. Hale,” she says. “Though considering you never missed a single appointment, I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“Of course,” I reply. “My girls are my everything.”
She nods and walks closer to the bed.
“Riley, how are you feeling?”
“In pain,” Riley breathes, still trying to smile.
Dr. Bell chuckles softly. “Well, that’s not very helpful.” Then she glances between us. “I need to check how dilated you are,” she says. “Mr. Hale, you can wait in the hallway if you’d like.”
I clear my throat. “I’m staying.”
“Alright.” She nods easily and moves into position beside the bed.
I take Riley’s hand again, studying her face. She’s paler than usual, and her bottom lip looks a little bruised as she’s clearly been chewing on it. A crease deepens between her brows and she squeezes my hand harder as Dr. Bell checks her.
Dr. Bell straightens. “Well,” she says, pulling off her gloves, “it’s time.”
“Wh-what?” Riley’s eyes fly open, wide with fear, darting straight to me. The monitor beside the bed starts beeping faster as her heart rate spikes.
“Riley, everything’s okay,” Dr. Bell says calmly. “You’re ready. No reason to panic. I’m going to get the delivery team and we’ll start getting you set up, alright? I’ll be back in about five minutes.”
Riley nods weakly.
Dr. Bell leaves the room, the door clicking softly behind her.
I brush Riley’s damp hair off her forehead.
“You still don’t want me to call Nastya?” I ask.
Her lips start trembling. “You aren’t going to leave me, are you?” she whispers. “I don’t want to be alone… I don't want to be without you.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Ry baby.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “I’m right here. I’m not leaving your side. Not for a second.”
Her tear-filled eyes lock on mine. “Thank you.” She swallows thickly, then nods. “Can you call Nastya? Just tell her we’re here…and that we’ll call later.”
“Of course.”
I pull my phone from my pocket and dial.
She picks up on the third ring. “Hey.”
“Hi. How are you? How’s Grant?”
“I’m good… Grant’s good too.” She pauses. “Wait. Is Riley okay?”
“Yeah. She’s okay. We’re at the hospital.”
Her voice jumps an octave. “What? Why?”
