“Shit!” Luke mumbles. “Clothes, where’s my clothes?”
“Where’s the hospital bag?” Hank asks. “And the keys? Where are the damn keys?”
The two of them scramble around the room. Drawers slam open, something crashes to the floor, someone swears loudly as they yank on jeans. That was Luke.
Their panic would almost be funny if another contraction didn’t slam into me right then.Josh whistles, getting their attention at the same time I cry out again, clutching my stomach as the pain squeezes tight.
Of course he’s the one in control. He is a doctor.
“Hey,” he says gently, kneeling down in front of me at the bed. “Look at me.”
I try, but another wave of pain makes my eyes squeeze shut.
“Breathe,” he says calmly. “In through your nose, out through your mouth.”
I follow his voice, gripping his arm as the contraction slowly fades.
“Where’s the damn hospital bag?!” Hank shouts again. “She needs her bag. The baby’s things are in there. Her focal stuff for Lamaze.”
“When did the pain start?” Josh asks.
“I don’t know. My back hurt last night but I just thought it was typical pregnancy stuff,” I breathe. “But this pain is so much worse.” Another one hits and I groan, curling forward.
Josh’s hand moves to my stomach, holding it as the contraction recedes.
“Okay,” he murmurs. “Let’s time the next one.”
Across the room Hank finally finds the bag, and I can see the swell of pride on his face. “Got it!”
“Keys!” Luke shouts.
“They’re on the…” I don’t get to finish my sentence as another contraction hits.
Josh frowns, and I know whatever he’s going to say isn’t good. “They're too close together,” he mutters.
Then he waits. Thirty seconds later another contraction slams into me so suddenly I cry out.
His eyes sharpen instantly.
“I need you to lay back and I need to check your cervix.” He helps me lean back against the pillows. I nod, barely hearing him over the next wave of pain.
He moves quickly, calm and precise, and then he freezes.
“Josh?” I gasp. “Is something wrong?” Tears are streaming down my face. All I can think is I’m about to lose my baby.
“You’re fully dilated.”
My heart stutters.
“What?”
He exhales slowly.
“You’re not making it to the hospital.”
Across the room both Hank and Luke freeze.
“What do you mean, not making it?” Hank demands.
