“We’ll be fine. How about we head over to Sugar Rush for some ice cream?”
“Yes!”
I gave my mom a quick kiss on the cheek. They’d be fine. It was Kelsey I needed to worry about now. This was a close-knit group I’d married into. There was no way she was going to let them go off without being a part of it.
I strode over to her. She and Ally were flanking Sage, who was taking long, slow breaths.
“I just thought it was my usual back pain.” Sage’s voice was close to a whine. “I didn’t mean to ruin the wedding.” Her eyes welled.
Oh, hell. Didn’t need that. “Nah, you waited until we kissed and everything. After that, it’s all fluff, right?” I winked at Kelsey.
She blinked at me with her big, gorgeous golden eyes. Would our baby have those eyes, or my blue? Or a third option? I shook that thought away.
“Right. Everything was perfect and now I might share a perfect date with your baby. How cool would that be?”
Sage gave her a watery laugh. “Wouldn’t forget your anniversary that way.”
“Definitely not.”
“Oh, shit.” Sage’s breath whooshed out. “Guess those contractions are real now. No more Braxton Hicks for this girl. Where’s Oliver?”
“I’ll go check.” I stood up and went into the hall. Oliver came running back, his eyes darting everywhere. I met him near the door. “Hold up.”
He tried to go around me. “I have to get back in there.”
“She’s scared. She’s trying really hard not to be, but she is. So take a breath.”
Oliver fisted his hands, but followed my directions.
“She’s doing great. Way better than my first wife. She’d already thrown a toaster and phone at me by the first contraction.”
Oliver’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow.”
“Yeah. You’re in the winner’s circle. At least until you get in the labor room.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Just keepin’ it real.”
Oliver slugged me in the arm. “You’re all heart.”
“I do what I can. Now, let’s go get your girl.” I let him go ahead of me. He rushed to Sage’s side.
Kelsey stood back to give him room. Oliver was murmuring to Sage and through her tears, there were a few giggles. Just what she needed. I took Kelsey’s hand and pulled her back to me.
“I want to go with them. Is that okay?”
I nodded. “I figured as much. My mom is going to handle all the dinner stuff and Wes.”
“I’m sorry.” Her voice was little more than a whisper.
“For what? She’s your friend. We’ll go be with her.”
She watched Oliver slowly lead Sage out of the room and into the hallway. Ally had the baby in his carrier. Kelsey looked a little lost as to what to do. To follow or to get out of the way.
I pressed my hand along Kelsey’s lower back as her parents and Rylee came forward.
“Is there anything we can do?”