Page 90 of Vicious Redemption

And yet, somehow, against all odds, I found Leo.

With him by my side, I feel like I’m strong enough to face anything that might come our way. With Leo, I’m ready to conquer the world.

EPILOGUE

TIA

I know I promised Leo we would start picking adventures that wouldn’t land me in the hospital. But six months later, here we are again, and I’m trying to breathe through it as gripping pain tightens my back and core in an overwhelming contraction.

“Ffffuck!” I groan, falling into Leo’s pattern of explicit language as I fail to ride out the forceful cramping sensation with dignity.

“Can’t you do anything to help her?” Leo demands, glaring accusingly at my OB.

“Leo, calm down,” I command, gripping his hand with more force than necessary. “I’m fine. Women do this all the time. Right, Doc?” I say, breathing heavily as I peer up at her through sweaty strands of hair.

“That’s right,” she says encouragingly, peering up at me from beneath the modesty blanket. “Remember to think about your breathing.”

I nod, collapsing back against my pillows as I work to control my frantic breaths.

“You’re doing great, Tia,” Maria says beside me, ringing out a washcloth so she can lay the cool, damp cloth against my brow once more.

On my other side, my mother assesses the situation with a calm that I would usually reserve for Leo. But he’s too busy hovering protectively over me, his face a mask of agonized self-flagellation over the part he played in bringing about my current state of pain. It’s comically endearing to see the hardened criminal that is my husband falling apart over childbirth. But here we are.

Meanwhile, I’m more than a little grateful my mother has decided to start coming around more. Maria’s my best caregiver, but my mother is my grounding force right now. She did this five times, and she knows just what needs to happen to see me through it.

“How much further?” she asks now, as Dr. Trista settles the blanket back in place and rises from her rolling stool.

“Two more centimeters to go. Not long now,” she assures me. “Your contractions are going to start coming more quickly now, like we talked about. That’s a good thing. It means we’re right on target.”

I nod as a fresh wave of pain steals my breath away. Grasping Leo’s hand, I redouble my efforts to breathe properly as he lends me his strength.

“I’ll be back in twenty minutes to check again,” Dr. Trista states. Then, with a polite nod, she departs.

“Maria, do you think you could get me some more ice?” I ask, wanting a minute alone with my husband before the real work starts.

“Of course,” she agrees, scurrying toward the door without hesitation.

My mother knows with just a look. “I’ll be just down the hall,” she says simply before slipping through the door and closing it.

I turn to Leo as soon as she’s gone, and my heart swells at the look of devastation on his face.

“What can I do to help?” he implores me desperately.

“Stay with me?” I suggest and swallow hard as a fresh wave of pain knots my stomach.

“I’m so sorry, Tia,” he groans, dropping his forehead onto our clasped hands in a show of supplication.

“Hey.” Combing my fingers into his soft curls, I give a tug, lifting his face so he has to meet my eyes. “Don’t you dare apologize for knocking me up,” I tease, trying to keep things light.

“But you’re in pain! And it’s my fault.”

“As I recall, there were two of us involved in what happened that night,” I point out dryly. “You’re giving yourself way more credit than you deserve. Now, quit beating yourself up. I’m going to need you in proper shape when it comes to welcoming this baby into the world.”

Leo nods and rises from his chair to steal a kiss. Then his hand rests softly on my now earth-sized belly. Maria’s joked on several occasions that the doctor might be wrong—that I’m actually carrying twins. And secretly, I hope she’s wrong because I can’t imagine having the strength to deliver two babies today.

The simple weight of Leo’s palm on my belly brings a shocking amount of relief, and I let my head fall back on the pillows as I try to catch my breath.

“You never cease to amaze me, you know,” Leo states, his voice sounding far calmer now that I’m not red-faced and moaning in pain.

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