Page 88 of Permanently Pucked

We know it now for a fact. We had a DNA test done about six weeks ago in preparation for Danielle’s birth plan, just for the legalities of it all. Michael is the biological father of our baby. Crew handled the news well and Michael has never made us feel like we weren’t a part of what is happening just because it’s him that actually made this baby with Danielle. We all talked openly and honestly about it and we assured Danielle there would be no egos in the birthing room, and I’m determined to honor that promise.

Not that it’s hard for me regarding the biological thing. Not really. I’ve always known the baby wasn’t mine. There’s been a certain freedom for me in that knowledge.

"I’m Dr. Michael Hughes," Michael says. "The father."

"Excellent. I’ll need the two of you to step out while I examine Danielle’s cervix." She gives me and Crew a shooing motion with a smile.

My first instinct is to push back but then I look at Danielle. She’s wincing in pain. I hesitate, not sure what she wants. Then I realize this is something I do have control over. I can make the decision for her. Crew obviously feels the same way because he’s already heading for the door.

"Come on," he says to me. "Let’s take a walk. We can grab a cup of coffee."

Considering Crew doesn’t even drink coffee, I know he’s just saying that to let Danielle know we’ll be gone for a little while.

She clearly needs some space right now.

I glance at Michael. "Text us if you need to."

He nods. "Of course. Dani, do you want me to leave too?"

She reaches for his hand. "No. Please stay. I need you to listen to all the medical stuff. I can’t seem to think right now."

Crew and I step out into the hallway. "I’m going to have a heart attack," I tell him, rubbing my forehead. "This is fucking hard. I hate seeing her in pain."

He just gives me his signature grin. "It’s gonna be fine. Dani’s got this. Come on, Nate." He claps me on the shoulder. "Let’s just give our girl some space."

"I’m not very good at that."

"No shit."

We walk off down the hall, Crew clomping in his borrowed shoes, and I feel like I left my whole entire heart in that room.

CHAPTER 25

Crew

"Let’s go this way," I say, turning left.

I know the Boss is tense. Tonight is an unusual night. It’s unusual for us to see Dani in pain. We’ve seen her upset, tense, worried, even sick with a cold or morning sickness, but I don’t think any of us have ever actually seen her in physical pain. Nothing like this anyway.

It’s tough. I’m not gonna lie.

But she’s here, where people can take care of her. And Doc’s right by her side, watching the monitors, talking to the nurses and doctors. If there were any problems, he would know. And he would take care of it.

Our girl is a little snappish. I don’t blame her. I know how it feels to have pain digging at you, taking over your rational thought processes, and how annoying it can be, when people are hovering, trying to help, but mostly just being in the way.

We have to be here. We want to be here. But obviously, Nathan and I are useless. Except for emotional support, of course. But it’s clear that Dani is past the point where she needs us telling her she’s amazing or that she’s doing great or that everything will be over soon.

I’m not even sure how helpful Michael’s really being, but at least he can decipher the medical stuff, and I know that makes her feel more secure, but the dude knows about hips and shoulders, not sure he knows that much about babies.

Still, he’s the calm one. He’s the soothing one.

There are lots of positive adjectives I know everyone around us would use for both Nathan and I.

Calm and soothing are not the ones, though.

"You gotta stop," Nathan says to me.

He sounds tired. I look over. "Stop what?"

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