"One more load."
"Ridiculous. I guess since Pierce wants to build an army it's expected, but this is it. No more showers after this boy."
"I think you'd incite a war if the next is a girl and those women can't celebrate."
"Nope!" She points at me. "I'm hoping their focus is on you at that point!"
"Not on your life!" I joke, even though the thought sends a tingle down my spine.
"Okay, I'll grab us drinks. Meet you on the front porch?"
"It's a date."
I leave, grabbing the last of the gifts and dropping them in her closet, then look around for Runner. No surprise I find him on the front porch with Darby, who's sitting on the amazing swing, staring into the night thoughtfully. The wine and water sit on the side table.
"Miller said you guys are okay to take Runner for a few days when the baby comes?"
"Absolutely, I can't wait."
Something in the air changes, and Darby doubles over. Runner, on instinct, is on his feet, fretting at her knees.
"Ashlyn?" My name comes out as more of a hiss.
"Oh fuck." I lose my cool, rushing to her.
She grips my arms to help her stand, and I feel the rush of wetness splashing on us. "I think it was more than me having to use the restroom."
"Okay… Okay… We got this. I haven't ever had a baby before—"
Her head flies up. "I haven't either, but everyone—I mean everyone is going to FREAK THE FUCK OUT! I need you to be my sanity."
It's a slap in the face, and I know she needs calm right now. "Tell me what to do."
"There are two bags in the bedroom, next to the door. Pierce has had them packed for weeks. Take them to your car. Get Runner inside. I'll meet you at the sidewalk, and we'll call the guys on the way to the hospital."
"I can't leave you." Another gush comes down on us.
She pins me with her copper eyes, pleading without words, laying her forehead to mine. "I'll wait at the edge of the porch, but seriously, I feel so much relief right now. And we have time. This is only the beginning."
My heart knocks in my chest as I wrestle a fretting Runner back into the house, rush to get the bags, and think to grab my purse before I fly out the back door. When I drive around to the front, Darby is waiting at the edge of the driveway, looking composed.
I jump out to help her, but she waves me away and slinks into the car. "I think you should call Miller first," she recommends.
"Really?"
"Yes, he's the only one that will be able to wrangle things together. I trust in that."
I do as she asks, clicking on my steering wheel to my latest contacts.
"Hey, Princess, time to bring dinner?" There's a lot of chatter in the background, and I picture them sitting on my back deck drinking beer and rousing over another day of hard work.
"Sweetie, I need you to casually walk somewhere private and listen to me, like now."
A wave of tension comes through the car and it hits me when he curses, "What the fuck?"
"I'm in the car with Darby. Her water broke. She's texting her doctors and we're headed to the hospital. She felt you might be able to handle the pandemonium."
"Baby, you sure it broke? She's not due for weeks."
"Baby," I mimic his words sarcastically. "I have evidence all over both of us. Her water has broken. She's having a baby. Are you on board to handle this, or do I need to manage the pregnant woman and the outrageous, protective father of her baby and husband? I will do it, but I'm counting on you."
"Fuck! She okay?"
"Yes, Miller, I'm good," Darby answers, and I momentarily forget we're on Bluetooth. "We have time, so please finesse it. Don't scare Cole."
"I'll take care of things here, and we'll meet you at the hospital soon. I got Pierce, Dad will have Cole."
She nods beside me, and my heart melts a little more.
"Princess?" he calls.
"Yes?"
"You're on. We're coming now, but you make sure she gets anything and everything she needs."
I read into his words. My bitch may be needed and I'm ready. "You got it." I click off and look to Darby, who’s fingers are flying across her phone.
"You feeling okay?"
"Absolutely."
"Aren't you freaked?"
"Nope. You handled the most stressful part. Someone else telling Pierce." Her phone blares with a personal ringtone, and she waves it at me. "Here he is. Miller worked quickly."
"I'm good," she answers. "No, you need to calm down. We have time." She continues to talk to him, but my phone buzzes against my hip and I force myself to focus on the road.
A few minutes later, we speed into the ER circle, and it's not surprising to find a man with a wheelchair waiting for her. He helps her out, and then my door is opened and a cute young boy is offering me his hand. "Miss Rhodes, we've been expecting you. I'll get the bags out, park your car, and bring your keys to Mr. Kendrick."
"What the hell?" I jerk back.
"Ma'am, Mrs. Jill Kendrick is auxiliary and had this set up."
"Oh shit, of course!" I throw my fob at him unnecessarily, grab my phone and purse, and shove a wad of cash in his hand. "Thank You!"
Darby is chatting casually with the man rolling her wheelchair when I catch up to them. The elevator ride is peaceful, and when we get to the maternity floor and the door opens, Darby is greeted by a bunch of smiling faces. She waves as she's taken to a room. I stand to the side, watching her take the gown offered and move to the bathroom to change. She is back in less than a minute, crawling in the bed.
She's laughing while they take her vitals, get her hooked up to something, and then she knifes up, screeching in pain.
That's when I'm on her,
