"You can do that now." She lowers her face until the tips of our noses brush. "You can do that all you want."
"I can't take all your breath. The baby needs it," I remind her, lightly dragging my lips across hers.
Autumn laughs and it’s the best damn sound in the world. "She doesn't need all of it."
"She?"
Autumn grins. "Just a hunch."
I kiss her then, but I hold back a little. Autumn knows I'm holding back, so she takes over. She takes off her clothes, lies beneath me, and asks me to make love to her in the dark, with only the stars as witnesses.
Loving Autumn is something I've been doing since I was fifteen. It's engrained into my thoughts, burned into my soul. It's what I'll be doing every day for the rest of my life.
Chapter 30
Autumn
Nine monthslater
Oh, the pain. The pain, the pain, thepain.
Waves of pain, starting at the top of my stomach and rolling down—like the worst period cramp, multiplied by seven thousand.
"Drugs," I demand, slamming a fist on the bed. The soft blanket absorbs the force. Definitely not the effect I intended to have.
Owen gives me a look I think is meant to be soothing, but it just angers me. "The anesthesiologist is with another patient right now. She'll be here as soon as possible."
I look around wildly for something to throw at him. There is nothing within my reach, and that's probably something the hospital has done on purpose. I settle for shooting daggers with my eyes. “You went to medical school—can’t you do it?”
Owen smirks. “Not unless you want to be paralyzed.”
I frown. If I’m paralyzed, I won’t be able to feel pain, so maybe that would be okay.
The anesthesiologist sails into the room and I moan with relief. She gives me drugs and I tell her she's my favorite person in the world, which causes her to smile.
After that, the rough waters become smooth. I almost don't mind when Ace struts into the room with some chick traipsing along behind him.Almost.
"Who is that?" I ask rudely. I might be unable to feel the lower half of my body, but that doesn't mean I need someone I don't know witnessing me in this state.
Ace looks at the blonde in tow. "This is Felicia. My date."
I cross my arms. On a normal day, I like Ace. But this is not a normal day. I'm in labor. I do not need a crowd. When Owen asked if it was okay that Ace stop by after his shift in oncology was over, I said yes. I did not say okay to the blond girl who still hasn't spoken a word.
"Ace, are you planning on setting up a red and white checkered blanket on the floor in here? Maybe some wine and cheese?" I growl at him, glad to have a new target for my anger.
Owen snickers at my questions.
Ace's lips move like he's holding back laughter. "You're the one who's having a baby on the same night I have a date."
Oh, I’m going to kill him. I already regret asking him to be the baby’s godfather. I point to the door. "Just go."
The girl, whose lips I now believe to be sewn shut, blinks in surprise.
"Call me when the baby comes," Ace says to Owen. They shake hands, and even though I'm annoyed at Ace's single-man idiocy, I accept the gentle hug he offers.
He pats my huge belly. “Give her hell, kiddo.”
“Out!” I roar, and Ace laughs, shuffling back through the door with his date. I meet Owen's eyes.
