I can’t even process until his mouth opens. “You listen here, Vaughn Madden. In there is the biggest game of your life. I couldn’t handle it. She’s in pain, and they talked about needles if she wants an epidural, and I nearly fainted. You suck it right up and take one for the team.”
His pep talk sounds like we’re going to war.
He doesn’t stop there. “Do not falter on us. It’s up to you to be in there no matter what.”
“Where the hell is Hadley or her mom? Is she really in there alone?” I screech.
“They’re in Chicago and driving back as fast as they can. Violet can’t be here because their baby has a virus, and she doesn’t want to risk giving it to Isla. I’ve failed her, because this—” he points to the door of Isla’s room “—is not meant for brothers. Now get the fuck in there, and you do not leave.” He lets me go, and I immediately go to the door, already hearing Isla weeping in pain. “For the team, Vaughn. You’re captain of this ship,” Briggs calls out.
For fuck’s sake, his speech as a sailor going to war doesn’t help this situation.
Opening the door, I find Isla sitting on a yoga ball and holding onto the railing of the bed with a nurse next to her. She’s trying to control her groan, nearly screaming as she’s in the middle of a contraction. As I run straight to her, the nurse backs away.
“I’m here. I’m here.” I touch Isla’s back, and she looks at me. She seems worn out, and her hair is damp from sweat, her eyes desperate.
When her contraction passes, she cries, “It’s too early. I mean, I had another week or so. This shouldn’t be happening.”
I cup her face. “She wants to come now. The doctor already warned us that you’re pretty much ready.” I do my best to ease her thoughts.
“This is our fault,” she wails.
“How so?” I ask as the nurse brings a cup of ice chips and hands it to me.
Isla knocks it out of my hand with force, causing the ice to fall on the floor. “Screw the ice chips, they do fuck all. And yes, this is our fault.” She breathes through pressed lips. “We had sex. They say it can induce labor.” The hint of a barely-there smile graces her lips.
“Really? Why didn’t you mention that to me?” I play along.
A humorous look of disapproval hits her. “Sorry if I didn’t want to ruin the mood.”
“Hey, you know I use these kinds of balls in my hockey training.” I smile at her, but I’m met with a near sneer.
“Really?” She doesn’t sound impressed. “This is the moment you want to compare labor to your training regime?”
I hold a hand up in agreement that she is right.
Another contraction hits her, and I rub her back as the pain appears to rip through her. Briggs was right, this isn’t for the faint of heart. I’m hurting for Isla, but I can’t show it because I need to be here for her.
“Give me the epidural,” she pleads to the nurse.
The nurse looks over her shoulder, checking the monitor. “I’m sorry, Isla. You’re too far dilated and so close. The best you can do is keep breathing through the pain. You’re doing great.”
Oh God, Briggs really was preparing me, because this is like a battle in the trenches.
Isla wails again as she abandons the ball. “Make this stop, it hurts too much.” She leans her head against my shoulder.
I kiss the top of her head. “It’s going to be okay. Before you know it, she’ll be here.”
Isla grips my shirt with both hands. “Promise me that no matter what you’ll go straight to her to make sure she’s okay. Focus on her, not me.”
It conflicts me, because what if something happens to Isla? It didn’t cross my mind until now. That thought unnerves me, but right now, she needs reassurance.
“Of course, Isla.”
“Oh no, the car seat. We didn’t even install it.”
I offer her a simple smile. “I did. In my car before I left.”
Her face brightens up with comfort.
