“If I curse you out, ignore me. My hormones are all over the place.” She got in the car as her eyes filled with tears. “Just know that I don't hate you. I love you.”
He laughed and leaned down, kissing her passionately as she pushed at his chest. “I love you, too, rowdy thing.”
“Get me to the hospital. I want this over with.” She buckled up and pressed her feet to the floorboard as her body went stiff and pain swallowed her whole. She screamed loudly.
“Fuck.” Alex slammed the door and got in o
n his side, tearing out of the driveway and reaching over to hold her hand. “It's going to be okay. Just breathe, Jamie. Don't forget to breathe.”
“It's hard,” she snapped through clenched teeth, turning to pin him with a hard stare.
The loving look on his face mixed with worry softened her.
She let out a long breath and crumpled into the seat. “I'm scared.” She squeezed his hand and panted softly. “What if something is wrong with one of them? What if something happens to me?”
“Everything is going to be perfect. You're going to do great, and I'm not going to leave your side. Whatever happens, which will be nothing, we're going to face together.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers over and over. “I love you so much, Jamie. I'm so proud of you.”
She cried out as her stomach tightened again, beyond anything she thought possible. A gush of water ran between her legs all over the seat and on the floor.
Her eyes grew wide as her heart raced. “Water.”
“You need water? Let's get you to the hospital and I'll buy you some there.” He forced the car to go faster as she shook her head.
“No”,” she panted softly. “My water.”
“Yes, your water, baby. It’ll be all yours.”
She growled loudly and bared her teeth as she worked through the pain. “My water broke.”
“Oh. Shit.” He glanced down toward her legs. “It's okay. All part of the deal. We'll get it cleaned up later. Just hold on, baby. Two more minutes.”
He floored it through a yellow light as she closed her eyes and pressed her head against the headrest. Every cell in her body screamed for her to push and push hard, but she fought it, trying to calm herself.
“We're here.” Alex jerked the car to a stop and got out, leaving his door open and opening hers. He unbuckled hers and picked her up, carrying her into the ER. “My wife's in labor. Help”!” he called out loudly as Jamie panted.
Sweat covered her face and dripped down her back as a nurse told Alex where to bring her. They raced down the hall as she looked up at him.
“I need to push. I need to push.”
“No, baby. Not yet.” Terror covered his handsome face, and try as she may she couldn't stop chanting that she needed to push.
The nurse helped Alex lay her down and brushed her hair back. “I'm going to check you out and see where you are. Alex Reid, right?”
Before he could answer, Jamie cut him off.
“I need to push. Now! I need to!” she cried out as pain ripped across her center. “Please! I need to”!”
The nursed tugged her pants off with Alex's help and got her in the stirrups before cursing. “Yup, you’re right, the baby’s crowning, Mrs. Reid. No pushing yet. One second.”
Alex moved up beside Jamie and ran his hand over her hair. “The baby's coming.”
“I know that,” she barked again before closing her eyes and hitting her head against the bed. “I can't hold back.”
“One second, baby.” He leaned down and looked her in the eye. “One second. You're the strongest woman I know. One second.”
“I'm here!” The doctor rushed in and moved between Jamie's legs, touching her knee and smiling. “You ready”?”
“Yes.” Jamie glanced up and nodded. She panted, “Can you get them out of me? Now!”