DeShawn grabs the hospital bag. Lucas grabs the snacks.
And just like that, we rush inside—me, Max, and three gloriously unhinged humans who’ve somehow become our family—leaving behind one upside-down mobile and an apartment full of chaos.
36
MAX
Isla
We barrel through the sliding glass doors of the maternity wing like a rock band on a bender—which, to be fair, is not far off. Only this time, the lead singer’s very pregnant girlfriend is gripping my arm and breathing like a Navy SEAL preparing for combat.
Nora’s clutching her side and muttering, “They better have the epidural cart on wheels.”
Behind us, the band fans out like we’re about to headline Madison Square Garden.
“Excuse me!” Annie flags down a nurse like she’s ordering a drink. “We have a laboring goddess here and no time for paperwork.”
The nurse blinks at us, clearly deciding whether we’re a support group or an improv troupe gone rogue.
“Who’s the father?” she asks.
Everyone points at once.“Him!”“Max Donovan!”“The sweaty one with the wild eyes!”
I raise a hand. “Hi. Max. Very involved.Possibly hyperventilating.”
“Come with me,” she says calmly, ushering Nora and me toward triage. “The rest of you can wait in the lobby.”
You’d think she just banned them from Disneyland.
“What?” Lucas sputters. “You’re not letting the rest of the band in?”
“I have a calming presence,” DeShawn insists. “Look at this face. Doesn’t it say doula?”
“I brought snacks!” Lucas protests, holding up a crushed granola bar like it's his ticket in.
“Hospital policy,” the nurse says. “One support person.”
“Guys,” I say, turning back while trying not to trip over my own feet, “I love you, but if anyone tries to sneak in, Nora will end you.”
Nora, mid-contraction, manages to growl, “Try me.”
They all freeze.
“Fair,” Annie whispers. “Deeply fair.”
“She’s so radiant when she’s terrifying,” Lucas murmurs.
“I’m crying and I don’t know why,” Dehsawn adds.
“We’ll be here,” Annie says, suddenly serious. “Go bring the baby into the world, Rockstar Dad.”
I give them a nod. One part gratitude, one part adrenaline spike. Then I follow Nora down the hallway.
Her grip tightens on my hand.
“This is really happening,” she says through gritted teeth.
“I know,” I whisper. “And we’ve got this. You’ve got this.”
