When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark 4)

“Should we get her to a hospital?” Cade asks.

“Of course we fucking should, dipshit.” Jace smacks the back of his head and I’m shocked of all people that he’s coming to my defense.

“When you think you’re having a contraction, tell me,” Nova instructs. “I’ll time them. Let’s get you to the hospital. Did you drive? We can’t all fit in Jace’s truck.”

“Xander drove the Range Rover, but he has the keys with him.”

“Dammit,” Nova curses. “Cade, we’ll have to go in your Jeep.”

We start to head out of the box, but I feel what I guess is a contraction. “Stop, stop, stop,” I plead, pressing a hand on my back. “Contraction.”

Nova presses a button on her phone to keep track. The contraction only lasts a minute and then we’re on our way again.

“Someone’s going to have to tell Xander!” I cry when we’re almost to Cade’s car. “He doesn’t know! Oh, my God we have to go back!” I start to go back into the stadium, but they tighten their grip on me and urge me forward.

Cade hands his car keys to Jace. “You get her to the hospital. I’m going to go get Xander.”

“What are you going to do?” I cry, near tears, because this shit hurts and I want my husband.

“I’ll climb onto the damn field if I have to,” he mutters, before jogging off and disappearing from sight.

Nova climbs into the back with me, coaching me through my contractions, which at the moment seem to be ten minutes apart.

Rae sits up front with Jace and he quickly makes adjustments with the seat, before speeding out of the parking garage.

“You’re going to meet your little girl today,” Nova tells me, holding my hand. “A Valentine’s baby.”

“This hurts,” I whine, squeezing her hand.

“I know, I know. Believe me. Just breathe through it. Mirror my breaths,” she coaxes, doing exaggerated slow breaths.

I copy her and it helps some but not a lot.

“I want Xander,” I beg.

He keeps me calm and sane … somewhat.

With the city traffic it takes us thirty minutes to get to the hospital and in that time my contractions move to five minutes apart. I’m drenched in sweat by the time we reach the hospital. I already called my doctor on the way, so they’re expecting us.

Jace parks at the front and hops out, getting a wheelchair and bringing it to the car. He helps me into it.

“Thank you, Jace.”

He grins. “It didn’t even kill you to call me Jace that time, did it?”

“Oh, shut up,” I groan through a laugh. “Nova,” I beg. “Will you go in with me until Xander gets here?” Rae looks a little green, so I think it’s best if she’s not in the room right now, besides Nova’s been through this so she knows what to tell me.

“Sure, whatever you want.” She unbuckles her seatbelt and hops out.

“Grab my purse,” I plead, pointing to the inside of the car. “I need my phone.”

Jace grabs it before she can get it and places it in my lap.

“I’ll park the car and then Rae and I will hang out in the waiting room,” Jace tells her.

Nova wheels me inside and we head to labor and delivery.

When we reach the level they take one look at me and get us into a room.