Page 70 of Matched into the Mob

My father-in-law opened the front door and raced out. Tony called Rudy’s home the chocolate-box cottage, and it did remind me of something from a fairy tale.

“I wasn’t sure you’d make it.” He hugged me, or as much of me as he could. Rudy was tiny and I was too, but there was a huge bump between us. “I thought my third grandchild may be on the way.”

“Not yet.” The baby kicked my ribs to remind me they were still in there. “And I need to pee.”

I made a dash for the bathroom, and when I emerged, everyone was gathered around Treyton. As usual, everyone in the Durand family was talking over one another. That was their thing and I was used to it. But Treyton was edging toward the kitchen where Uncle Arnie was cooking, his pale cheeks and clenched jaw signs that he was a tad overwhelmed.

Flint took charge after a nudge from Tony and told everyone to back off.

I waved to Treyton from a distance and introduced myself before sagging into an armchair. Ranger brought me a footstool and a glass of soda water with a splash of apple juice.

“Wanna check out my new car?” Hunter held up a key fob. The Durand brothers and their dad, along with the grandkids, hotfooted it outside to inspect the vehicle, and as they were leaving, Ranger mentioned I was tired.

“Please tell me he’s not trying to bring down the government,” Hunter quipped.

Ahhh, my brother-in-law, the joker.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the peace.

“Hauling a baby around is no joke.” Tony sat beside me sipping a glass of soda.

“Mmmm. Our little one has sapped my energy the last few days. The only time I get out of bed or off the couch is to go to the bathroom.”

Treyton poked his head out of the kitchen. “Maybe you’re in early labor.”

I was instantly awake. How did a kid in college know about labor symptoms?

“And you know this how?” Tony’s skeptical tone mirrored my own thoughts.

“I’m doing a nursing degree. Didn’t Grandpa tell you?”

“Oh yes, he did mention it.” Tony nodded. My brother-in-law gave me a look.

“That’s right. He did.” Arnie talked abut his grandkids a lot, but he never mentioned specifics.

“If you’re in labor, I can deliver your baby.” Treyton’s face lit up. “That’d be so cool.”

There were so many reasons why I didn’t want to give birth surrounded by the Durand family who’d be yelling when to push, how to breathe, and after the birth, everyone would argue the baby looked like them.

“I haven’t had any contractions, just a dull ache in my lower body and a sore back.”

Shit! Even I’d read about lower back pain signaling labor. “Ranger!”

My mate was by my side before I’d heaved myself out of the chair. “The baby?”

“Yeah. We have plenty of time. Let’s go home.” And right on cue, a contraction gripped my belly. “Owww. That wasn’t nice. I don’t like that.”

“How do I make it go away?” Ranger put a hand on the bump.

Despite my discomfort, I almost laughed. My adoring mate demanded of the universe that my existence be pain-free after what happened at the cabin. Though he couldn’t control fate, he’d done his best to coddle me and love me enough to block out the bad memories.

Unlike most couples, Ranger and I had to overcome a lot to be together. We’d muddled along, him holding my mating hand as we maneuvered through our new life, allowing the pain of what happened to fade. And I nurtured our growing baby while my mate looked after me.

“I’ll boil water,” Uncle Arnie offered.

“We’re not going to make it home, babe.” I had no intention of giving birth in the car or beside the road.

“Use my bedroom,” Rudy offered. “Unless you want to give birth in the garden.”

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