The wave receded. Sadie stood beside her, concern etched in the lines of her forehead.
“Marlee.” Eli kneeled in front of her, gripping her hands in his. “It’s time to go.”
She shook her head, her lips pursed.
No way was she leaving before they’d even cut the cake.
Sadie kneeled beside him. “Marlee, you need to not have your baby in Eli’s office. It’ll stain.”
For some reason, that popped Marlee right out of the haze. “Is it time?”
Eli’s palm rested against her cheek. “It’s time, Mar.”
Oh.
He was probably right.
“Okay,” she said, trying to lift herself off the sofa.
“Okay,” he repeated, helping her up and holding her tight when another contraction started.
“I’ll bring the car around,” Sadie said somewhere in the background. Marlee was trying really hard to focus, but everything seemed to be wrong.
“Eli?” she asked, needing the reassurance that he was right there.
“You’re okay,” he assured, helping her to the door, through the kitchen, and out the back exit.
“I want to name him Lucas,” she said, drooping against him. For some reason, that was the important thing that needed to be said. “His name is Luke.”
She couldn’t say why, not really. The name had just been nagging at her for days.
Eli paused as they waited for her SUV.
“I like it,” he said, his voice gravelly. “Lucas.”
She liked it even more when he said it.
Her hand found its way to her stomach. She stroked up her abdomen and pressed against the foot lodged at her lungs. “Hang tight, Luke.”
Sadie drove the car right up to them. Eli helped Marlee into the passenger side. Once he’d buckled her in, she stopped him with a tug on his hand.
“I love you,” she said.
“Same.” He pressed a kiss against her lips. “Exactly the same.”
* * *
