Daddy in Disguise (Crescent Cove 7)

“Let the nice people take you to the hospital.”

“I don’t think I’m going to make it to the hospital.” Ivy’s huge eyes were full of tears. “I’ve had that backache thing all day. And you know those Braxton Hicks? Yeah. Those doctors are liars.”

“Jesus.” Gideon took a step back.

“Wimp.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Next time you do the kid thing, that’s not going to fly.”

His eyes locked with mine. “Is that so?”

I looked away quickly. “Hey, is there anything I can do to help? Towels? Hot water?”

The female paramedic started unpacking a kit. “We should be okay to take her. We’ll just check her vitals and see how things are going.”

“Down there?” I swallowed. I really didn’t want to see it. The last time I’d seen pieces of a birth had been in health class. I was still haunted.

I could watch a head get severed, no problem. A head coming into the world? Nope.

No, thank you.

“Yes, I need to see how far she’s dilated. Lucky for you guys, I’m a doula on the side.”

“I don’t know what that is.” I held my hand up. “Don’t want to know either.”

She laughed and took out a few things out of her kit and went to Ivy. “Okay, mom-to-be, what’s your name?”

“Ivy.” Her voice was breathless, thanks to the breathing thing and sheer panic.

You know, because there was a human coming out of her.

Jesus. I bent at the waist to get my own breath for a second. I really couldn’t have all these emotions swinging around like this in one hour. From orgasmic bliss to terror seemed a little cruel.

“Are you okay, Macy?” Dani patted my hand, then tucked her fingers into mine.

The floor shimmered once before I blinked back the tears. “Yeah, kid, I’m good.” But I held on because the kid looked just as scared as I felt. I glanced up at Gideon, who was standing right by me. “Maybe you should take her home.”

Dani lifted her chin. “I can stay. I want to see Miss Ivy’s baby.”

“Hopefully, she’s going to the hospital to have the baby.”

“Then I can go to the hospital. Right, Dad?”

“We don’t want to be in the way, sweetheart.”

Ivy let out an ear-piercing scream. “I need my go-bag. I need my husband. I need August!”

“I can do two of those things.” Gideon put his hand on Dani’s head. “You’ll be okay with, Macy?”

She nodded. “I’ll help.”

I waved him off. “I’ve got her.”

Dani dragged me toward the counter. “We can get towels. I’m thinking this is going to be yucky.”

That was an understatement. I looked over my shoulder to find Kinleigh explaining where the go-bag was at her apartment. As usual, Gideon was taking charge. He was good at it with his men and here. And I didn’t want to analyze why that made my chest tight.