Page 47 of The Reborn

R.

My heart dropped. This was the type of thing my brother was subjected to because of his fame? That his family was subjected to? How was that fair? Camden was one of the kindest, most genuine people out there, and...

“Liv?”

I glanced up at his gentle voice.

“You okay?”

Cam’s eyes were concerned as he took in my expression. I dropped the letter back on the table. “How can people be so...?”

“Broken.”

My gaze flashed to Justin. When I didn’t have the words, he did. “Yes, I guess you’re right.”

He scooped up the letter and folded it back in its envelope to tuck it into his jacket. “Well, broken can still be dangerous.”

I couldn’t say more as the waitress appeared with our drinks and some biscuits, all smiles for my brother, reminding me what a blessing and a curse his fame could be.

My mind spun as we ate and the men talked, Justin filling Camden in on the progress he’d made on the security at my house and his plans for the studio, especially given the latest events.

“Tell Kade to send me an invoice for any additional expenses if you feel there needs to be a system upgrade beyond what was on the last invoice,” Cam said around bites of biscuit and jelly. “It’s no problem. I want the best for my sister.”

I cleared my throat. “Um, your sister is right here. Please stop talking about me like I’m not in the room.”

“Sorry.” Cam leaned over and kissed my cheek. “You know I love you.”

“Yeah, yeah. I just—”

I was interrupted by the sound of “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton—Vanessa’s ringtone on Cam’s phone because it was the song they had their first dance to at their wedding.

He yanked it up and answered. “Hello?” He listened for a moment, his expression slowly morphing from fear to excitement as his eyes shot to mine. “Really? Right now? You’re sure?” Another moment then, “Okay, I’m on my way. I love you.” He hung up and faced me with a bewildered grin.

I smiled back. “She’s in labor, isn’t she?”

“Her water broke about ten minutes ago and she’s starting to have some contractions. She says they’re not bad but they’re picking up steam.” He waved down the waitress and asked for everything to go. “Sorry, guys.”

“Don’t apologize,” I said. “This is exciting.”

“Holy shit.” My brother reached for my hand. Our eyes met for a long moment, and I saw the guy I’d known my whole life. The one I’d played with as a kid, opened gifts with on Christmas morning, ate cereal with while we watched cartoons, who’d harassed me endlessly growing up, but who’d also always had my back when it came to other kids. Who I knew would always have my back for the rest of our lives. A good man... one of the best. “We’re having a baby today,” he whispered, his voice full of awe and wonder.

“You’re going to have a baby today,” I echoed, squeezing his hand. “And she’s one lucky little girl to have you as her parents.”

He nodded once, then drew back, obviously not wanting to lose his composure in front of Justin and a café full of strangers. He paid the bill, and we hurried out to get back to Vanessa.

The drive was quiet and full of tense expectation as my brother rushed back to the house. He parked and raced up the walkway to the front door.

Justin had a quick conversation with the man in the dark security SUV, then he and I went inside a moment later and found Camden next to Vanessa, who was leaning against the dining room wall with her head rested against one hand, the other cupping her belly as she gently rocked back and forth. Isla was occupied at the TV with a sleeping Lizzie on the couch.

After a moment and a deep breath, she lifted her head to look at me. “Hey. Sorry about your floor.”

I glanced down at the towel between her feet. “It’s wood. It’ll be fine. Are you doing okay?”

She nodded. “Yup, but we’ll need to be going. The doctor is going to meet us at the hospital. She said since I’m already contracting, we need to go ahead with the C-section as soon as possible.”

“What can I do?” I asked.

“Would you mind keeping an eye on Isla until your parents get here to pick her up? They wanted to spend some time with her before the baby comes so they’re keeping her until I get home from the hospital.”

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