Everything is about to shift in our world.
And selfishly, I’m still hoping it shifts in my direction.
Lottie
“Breathe,” Everett growls as he holds me as best he can.
A hard groan rips from me as every nerve in my body enlivens with pain.
“Lottie!” my mother shouts. “I’ve called your sisters.”
“And don’t worry, Mom!” Evie shouts. “I’ve called Dash, Conner, and Kyle. They’re totally going to want to see all the blood, and the guts, and the gore.”
“Lottie,” Noah’s voice roars throughout the conservatory and the music stops cold as the house lights come on. “Lottie,” he pants, appearing before me with a dimpled grin. “Your water broke? Does that mean you’re having the baby?”
“Yes,” Everett thunders. “You’re a real genius, Noah. Now get on the horn and call for an ambulance. I don’t think we can get her there safely.”
Another hard cry comes from me as a blinding spear of heat sears my midsection.
“Get her a seat!” Suze shouts as she heads this way.
“Suze!” I call out as I claw the air between us. “Use your powers. I’ve got a weak-willed mind. Please, make the pain go away. Cast a spell, a hex, drum up an entire coven of vampires. I don’t really care, just make it stop!”
Suze seizes and her eyes grow big as she quickly scampers off for the dessert table and joins Lily, who seems to be noshing on a piece of Bundt cake as she watches the show.
Great. I knew there would be entertainment tonight. I just didn’t think it would be me.
Mom frowns as she shakes her head. “This really isn’t the right time to call Noah’s mother a witch. Although a case could be made.” She mouths the word sorry to Noah.
Another blinding pain rockets through me, this time bringing me to my knees.
“I’m here!” a familiar voice shouts, and soon Keelie is by my side. “Oh, Lottie. It’s going to be okay.” But judging by that terrified look on her face, nothing is going to be okay ever again.
Soon Lainey and Meg file in as Noah and Everett coach me to breathe through one demonic contraction after the other.
A strong sense of pressure exudes on my lower half and it feels as if this baby is going to drop right out of me.
“It’s coming!” I cry as I tip my head back.
“Lay her down!” my mother cries out over the gasps, the screams, and the noise in general.
All of Everett and Noah’s poor classmates are huddled against the far wall as they watch my nightmare play out in real time.
Everett sets me between his legs and I relax up against him like a pillow.
“Everett,” I pant. “I can’t do this. Not here. Not like this.”
He lands a quick kiss to the top of my head. “No matter what happens, I’m here. You’re going to be okay.”
“You’re going to be just fine,” Noah echoes as he gives my hand a squeeze, and just as another violent contraction hits, I squeeze his hand right back. “Whoa,” he says as he shoots a quick look to Everett. As much as I wish I didn’t see it, Noah looks downright worried for me, and it makes me wonder if the baby and I will be fine at all.
Lainey waves as she struggles to get my attention. “You’re okay, Lottie. This is probably just a Braxton Hicks. You’re a new mom. This is your first time. You’re probably just overacting a little.”
Everything around me seems to stop as I take a moment to glare at my older, certainly not wiser, sister.
“Meg?” I shoot my younger sister a look. “Kill her.”
Meg belts out a laugh as she pulls Lainey out of my line of vision.
And speaking of sisters named Meg, Meghan rushes into the room in a silver gown with her dark hair pulled back.
“Did I miss it? Did I miss the reunion? I couldn’t help it. I got lost on the way.”
“You’re just in time,” Everett says as he warms my arms. “Lemon is in labor.”
“Breathe, Lottie,” Noah encourages, and I take a slow, steady breath as the pain only seems to grow.
And then it’s as if something releases deep inside of me, and I can distinctly feel something making its way out of my body.
“It’s here!” I cry and Keelie tents my dress over my knees, and soon there’s a breeze down where breezes should never be when in public spaces. Keelie must have taken my underwear off like a magician, but I’ll be the last to care.
“Lottie!” Mom screams before cupping her hands over her mouth and turning to the crowd. “Is there a doctor in the house?”
“I got one for ya!” Carlotta shoves Mayor Nash in our direction. “He’s not a doctor, but he plays one in the bedroom.”
Mayor Nash looks white as a sheet. “I’ve got to sit down.” He staggers off a few steps and Carlotta catches him as he seems to faint. But I can’t worry about that now.
The pressure only seems to be building.
“I have to push!”
“No! Wait!” my mother calls out. “It’s eleven fifty-nine! Your birthday is in one minute, Lottie. Oh, couldn’t you just hold it in for a tiny bit more? Wouldn’t it be special to get to celebrate together—”
“Mother,” I growl and she quickly pats her fingers over her lips.
Everett leans me forward a notch. “Noah, take my place.”
Then Noah is behind me and Everett is up front.
“It’s midnight!” Mom screams and the room whoops and hollers like it was New Year’s Eve.
The urge to push hits hard and I can’t deny it, so I do just that.
Something loosens, and it feels as if my insides are gushing out of me at once.
Everett’s face lights up with a genuine smile as he holds up a pink little angel and I blink through tears as a laugh bubbles from me.
“It’s a girl!” he shouts and the room breaks out into cheers.
Everett places her on
