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“He’s trying to get them to let him assist even though this isn’t his specialty. He’s been with us from the start and knows our history. Our regular doctor is out sick, as luck would have it. The hospital is doing what it can, and General is pulling favors where he can.”

“Can I help?” Babygirl comes up, grabbing her man’s arm and holding it close to her body. She might be close in age to Ruby, and technically her soon-to-be stepmom with how close she and Law are getting, but she’s a nurse too. And helping is her first line of defense.

Kooper shakes his head but smiles to cut out any hurt she might feel. It’s no secret that Ruby had a hard time with her dad dating someone after her mom was his entire world, but they’ve become close enough to be considered friends. Not best friends, though, and Babygirl is wise enough not to push the matter.

“Thanks. Nurses, we have plenty. It’s the doctors who are scarce, apparently. Anyway, I better get back. I plan to be in the room with them too and need to get prepped myself.”

The boys do the chin lifts, and Law nods at him as he wraps his arms around Babygirl.

“I’m going to need you to pop our kids out quick. Don’t think I can handle long labors like this again,” Law mutters as he kisses his woman’s forehead.

“No guarantees, but I’ll do what I can. Sometimes the kids don’t like to come out. Nothing we can do about it. She’s going to be fine, though. Ruby is strong, just like her father.” Babygirl reaches a hand up to Law’s jaw and pulls him down for a quick kiss.

I look away with a smile on my face and meet Natalie’s eyes. She’s been sitting across from me the entire time.

“She’s going to be all right,” I tell her. She might not say it, but I know she cares for Ruby. You can’t not care for Ruby. She gets under your skin in a way that keeps you from hating her.

Natalie raises a single eyebrow. “Ruby is too stubborn to be anything but all right.”

Jumper shakes with laughter as he keeps his eyes closed and his arms crossed over his body. His legs are crossed at the ankles and on the chair across from him.

“Between her and Kooper’s hardheaded genes, the kid’s probably just trying to prove to them both that they’re about to take a major side seat in life. Kid’s going to run the show as soon as he pops out, mark my words,” Jumper mutters, and the rest of us nod in agreement.

“Did she have him? Did we miss anything?” Kitten comes running into the room with Flint just moments behind her.

“Woman, what did I tell you about running away from me?”

“Only do it if I plan to be spanked. Which I do. Just later, honey.” She leans in and kisses Flint’s stunned face. “Let’s focus on Ruby and the baby right now, huh?”

“Whatever,” he grumbles, then takes a seat and pulls his girl onto his lap.

Jumper laughs again, this time opening his eyes and peeking out at them.

“Something funny?” Flint snaps as he holds his girl tighter to him.

“Just wondering if you’re grumpy about having a boner in the hospital or if you’re still upset that you’ve got to plan a wedding.”

Flint is smart. Well, on paper and with electronics. But apparently, he’s a moron when it comes to the life commitment stage in his life.

The moment Flint put the ring on Kitten’s finger, she went and got her book of wedding ideas. Page after page. So many of them that the guy ended up walking out on the night of his engagement just to take a breath before coming back in and saying whatever she wanted, she’d get.

But apparently that wasn’t what Jules wanted. He has to be an active participant, unlike Bass at his wedding. But to be fair, Milly didn’t get much of a say in her wedding either. Her mother took over as soon as Milly set a date.

“It’s the boner,” Kitten says with a smile.

Flint glares at Jumper but kisses his girl on the neck.

I take another look at Natalie and watch as she takes it in. All of it, as usual. She thinks no one notices her. But I do. We all do. She’s just not ready to accept any of us for what we have to offer.

Time. It’s what she needs and what she’ll get.

No matter how long it takes.

We’ll still be here when she’s ready to accept her fate.

And my friendship.

Chapter 11 - Natalie