Page 59 of A Baby For Her Billionaire BFF

“What? What is it?” I reach out but don’t touch her, unsure of what to do.

“I think…” She breathes out slowly and intently. “Yeah, that had to have been a contraction. And…”

She closes her eyes. “Here’s another one.”

“Okay, okay,” I say, trying to keep the edge of panic out of my voice. “This is happening fast. We’ve got to stay calm.”

“Right.” She chuckles, though I hear the nervousness there. “You always say you’re good under pressure. Time to prove it.”

“Challenge accepted.” I scoop her into my arms — not the way I planned to carry her across any threshold, but right now, there’s no room for anything but action. “Let’s get you to the hospital.”

“Wait!” She clutches at my shirt. “The bag, it’s by the door.”

“Got it,” I assure her, half-walking, half-running towards our new home.

This is not at all what I envisioned when I pictured proposing to the woman I love, but then again, life with Nora has always been an exhilarating ride.

“Oliver, we’re going to have a baby.” Her voice is a mix of awe and fear.

“Yeah,” I say, my own emotions a swirling vortex. “We are. And hey, isn’t this the perfect end to the perfect day?”

“Perfectly unpredictable,” she says with a shaky laugh.

“Exactly how I like it.” I kiss her forehead as I burst through the front door, ready for whatever comes next.

My tires screech as I swerve into the emergency drop-off lane at the hospital, hazard lights blinking in a frantic rhythm. I jump out and rush to Nora’s side. She grips my hand, her knuckles white, but it’s me who feels unsteady, like I’m the one whose world is changing with every tick of the clock.

“Come on, love,” I murmur, sliding an arm under her shoulders. Her breath hitches, another contraction seizing hold.

“Oliver,” she gasps. “I’m scared.”

“Hey, I’ve got you,” I say, though the tremor in my voice betrays my own fear. “We’re a team, remember?”

She nods, biting her lip, and we move together towards the sliding doors. Inside, the sterile smell of antiseptic hits me, the sharp tang grounding me back to reality; our baby is coming.

“Help!” I call out more loudly than I intend.

A nurse approaches, her eyes scanning Nora, who groans deep and low.

“Looks like you’re just in time, hon,” she says, her voice a practiced calm that I cling to like a lifeline. “Judging by the noises you’re making.”

Nora gets wheeled away, leaving me to park the car and then pace the hallway like it’s a tightrope. They’ve taken our overnight bag, but my hands still feel empty. I should be in there, holding her hand, telling her she can do this. That we can do this.

“Mr. Wolfe?” I turn to see a different nurse, her eyes kind behind her glasses. “You can come in now.”

The room is a flurry of activity, machines beeping and nurses moving with quiet efficiency. Nora lies there, her brow glistening with perspiration, her grip iron-clad as it finds mine.

“Okay, Nora.” The doctor, a no-nonsense woman, smiles. “When you feel the next contraction, I want you to push.”

“Push?” Nora repeats, her voice laced with disbelief and pain.

“Like you’re pushing for a dream, babe,” I encourage, brushing damp hair from her forehead.

“Like pushing through a tough case in court,” she corrects with a strained smile.

“Exactly.” I grin, my heart swelling with pride.

“Here it comes!” she announces, and then she’s bearing down, face etched with determination and strength.

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