“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she bit out, voice shaking and angry tears welling in her pretty, brown eyes.
“You don’t have to,” I promised, still not looking away from Dee.
“I’m happy here. I have people that care about me,” Phoenix continued, starting to fight back.
“I see that,” Dee said, her own tears falling now. Her gaze shifted to me. “If she’s happy here, I won’t try to take her away.”
“At this point, she’s my kid,” I said, not letting it go. “I would fight you every step of the way if you tried to take her.”
Dee looked taken aback. I felt like it was a testament to how much she didn’t care about Phoenix’s feelings, or mine.
The fact she was shocked we’d want her daughter around was disgusting. It felt like she was admitting she never did by being that shocked.
“I think I’d like to stick around, though,” Dee said, turning back to Phoenix. “Maybe I can rent a place in Willow Lake. I’d like to get to know my daughter again, and maybe get to know my sister and her pack.”
I also glanced at Phoenix, gauging how she felt about this. She looked at me, and I held out my hand. She moved quickly to my side, wrapping her fingers around mine for reassurance.
“If you stick around, I’d be willing to talk, but on my terms,” Phoenix said carefully. Theifwas loud and clear, proving that she didn’t have confidence that her mother would stay.
“Ugh,” I groaned as my stomach tightened, the muscles cramping fiercely. It was stronger than the Braxton Hicks that had hit on and off for a few days.
“Are you alright?” Corvin asked, moving closer. He had one hand on my belly and the other on my back, studying me.
“I’m fine. It’s probably just more of those Braxton Hicks,” I reassured him, even though I didn’t really think that.
I didn’t want my sister to be involved in that moment.
“This is why I kept you off your feet,” Apollo said, worry creeping into his tone.
“You guys seem to be good for her,” Dee said as she studied the interaction. I had a feeling she would never have a chance to find a pack like this, but I really did hope one day she would. Someone who would settle her, or at least meet her crazy.
“Fuck,” I cursed, another one hitting far too soon after the last.
Then another. My fingers were gripping Apollo’s biceps hard enough I might bruise him, bending over a little as my stomach muscles tightened.
Something warm gushed between my legs and down onto the floor.
“I think my water just broke,” I said, looking up at them with wide eyes.
“Phoenix, grab the hospital bag for me, it’s go time,” Ezra said, taking charge like he’d been waiting for this moment.
“Okay, Dad,” she gasped, rushing off. It came naturally, not just because she was trying to prove something to her mom.
He froze for a second before the most adorable smile lit up his face, and then he was off again.
I was quickly swept into the car, with Dee promising she wouldn’t be far behind us.
“We want you in our lives. We just care about Phoenix and what she wants, and deserves stability.” The warning in my voice was obvious. My sister nodded, her eyes full of tears.
“In case they take you straight back, just know I’ll be rooting for you. Holding them in your arms for the first time… it’s worth it. Just wait,” she promised, swiping away tears.
It felt like a goodbye.
I had a strong feeling that I wouldn’t see her again today. I’d been hurt too many times by her and I wasn’t willing to get my hopes up.
As usual, my sexy firefighters kept their heads about them. They ushered me and Phoenix into the SUV before we were off, heading to the hospital.
Before we even made it out of the driveway more contractions hit. They were consistent, only taking a small break before another round hit.
