She didn’t want to say the words out loud. Because somehow, the contractions hadn’t made it real. The fluttering of activity around her hadn’t made it real. Getting back to the house hadn’t made it real. But the instant her water broke, that sent her over the edge.
“Breathe, Jessie,” Mae’s voice drifted over from behind her.
“Can you tell us what’s going on?” Stone’s voice was calm while Hawk’s hands stabilized her, and she let herself fall into his chest.
“M-My water just broke. I’m sure of it. The baby’s really coming.”
Hawk smiled, gathering her face in his hands, a quick kiss pressing against her lips. That was all it took for her to feel at ease again.
“We’ve got this?—”
“I’m here!” Birdie called out as she walked into the house, Beau not far behind her. “Oh boy, I know that look.”
She’d barely even turned to Jessie before the tears were welling. “I think the baby’s coming.”
“Well yeah, of course she is. Fords are dramatic.”
“She’s a Morgan.” Hawk’s correction made Jessie smile.
“Well, the baby will probably be calm in the face of all the excitement she’s causing then, right?”
Jessie laughed. “Right.”
“Hawk, can you help Jessie upstairs? I want to get a gauge on how fast things are progressing before we make any decisions.”
“Ride in my arms or walk on your own?” he asked.
“God, I love you. Thank you for giving me a choice.” Herhand reached out and she laced her fingers through his. “I’m walking.”
“Alright, if you’re not a Morgan, or soon to be a Morgan, I think mom and dad would like a little peace and privacy.” Birdie announced as Jessie climbed the stairs.
“If you need us to call an ambulance—” Beau said.
“Or drive you guys all in—” Stone started to say before Birdie cut them off.
“We’ve got this handled. I promise. Stone, stay close in case I need a second pair of qualified hands. Everyone else, clear out. I think you’ll be of more use to Colt than you will be to me.”
Two minutes later they were upstairs in their bedroom, Jessie trying her best to make it through the next contraction without thinking about how badly she wanted to change out of her wet clothes.
“Okay, just breathe, mama. You’ve got this. I’m right here.” Hawk’s hands dug into the hollow of her back as she rocked back and forth. God, her belly felt like it was between her knees. Bee had dropped, especially after her water broke, and the pressure was making her legs shake.
“Birdie… she feels like she’s going to fall out.”
“Let’s get you situated on the bed, and I’ll check how far you’ve progressed.”
Hawk helped Jessie sit on the edge of the bed, dread spreading through her at the thought of having to lie flat on her back.
But she pushed through, letting her back hit the pillows as Hawk’s fingers hooked the band of her shorts.
Her hand moved automatically, clamping down on his hand. “I think I’m about to freak out.”
Hawk smiled. “I’ve helped you get undressed before Jessie. I promise, there’s nothing to be nervous about.”
She couldn’t help the laughter that broke free from herchest. “Not about that. I t-think she’s coming. I don’t think we’re going to make it to the hospital.”
“It’s a good thing I’m here then, isn’t it?” Birdie smiled as Hawk finished taking Jessie’s wet shorts and panties off, draping a big blanket over her exposed lower half.
“I want to do a quick Doppler to check on Bee’s heart rate and then I’m going to see how you’re progressing. Are you okay with all that?”
