Matty groans.
Caison looks like he might pass out.
“Case,” I say. “You wanna help?”
That snaps him out of it. He takes Matty’s other hand, and we walk her over to the open passenger door.
“You’re doing great, sissy,” I tell her.
“Am I?” she pants.
“Yes.”
“Because it feels like I’m dying.”
Grandma snorts. “You’re not dying.”
Waylon appears again and drops the key fob into Caison’s hand.
I wrap the seat belt around Matty, and she grips my arm.
“Harleigh—”
“We’ll be right behind you,” I say before kissing her cheek.
“No.”
I freeze. “What?”
“You stay,” she says.
“What?”
“This is your night.”
“I’m not missing the birth of your baby!”
“You won’t,” she says. “It’ll probably take hours.” She grips my hand tighter. “Stay with the party. Celebrate.”
Caison is already in the driver’s seat, clutching the wheel like it might escape.
“Shut the door. I’m driving now,” he says.
“We’ll see you at the hospital,” I say.
Her eyes fill with tears. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Tell Daddy to bring the camera.”
“I will.”
“And, Harleigh?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
