Page 56 of The Forever Game

“In the entrance. She’s in pain. We’re not sure—” I don’t even get to finish my sentence before he’s bolting down the aisle.

Another ripple of whispers and shocked gasps cascades throughout the chapel as I share a worried frown with Asher and Bax.

Asher follows his friend, buttoning his jacket like a gentleman as he walks calmly down the aisle. I look up with an apologetic frown.

With a kind smile, Baxter brushes his fingers down my cheek. “You look so beautiful I want to cry.”

I let out a soft, watery laugh, my eyes glistening. “Happy wedding day.” It’s a feeble attempt at a joke, because we both know… this isn’t happening right now.

He gives me a sad, pained smile and whispers a question he probably already knows the answer to. “What do you want to do, TT?

“I want to make sure Caroline’s okay.”

He nods, his smile tender as he takes my hand. “Let’s get her to the hospital, then.”

CHAPTER20

CASEY

By the time I make it down the aisle, Nova is crying because she isn’t getting to throw petals.

“They need to see my dwess!” she wails.

Aw, her pretty dress. I want to tell her she looks beautiful, but I can’t form words. Not when I havesomething’s wrong with Carolineringing in my head. Fear grips me as I round the corner and spot her between Lani and Rachel. She’s in obvious pain, and it rips my heart out.

“Baby?” I stop beside her, crouching low so I can brush the hair off her cheek and try to look at her face.

Her chin is dipped, and she’s whimpering. “Something’s wrong.”

I fucking hate those words. It’s an effort to keep my panic in check as I try to tell her that everything’s going to be okay. But I don’t fucking know! She lost a baby once, and there’s no saying she won’t lose another one.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

“What’s going on?” Ethan’s deep voice makes me spin, and I spot him and Mikayla hovering behind us.

Asher appears a second later, and then Baxter and Tammy are walking into view, and I can breathe again. These guys will help me. My family’s here. I can get through whatever shit this is.

“Liam’s gone to get the car,” Rachel murmurs. “Let’s get her out front.”

“We’ll follow you,” Ethan assures us.

“Dad, can you take Kai and Nova?” Tammy says.

“No,” Caroline softly wails. “But your wedding.”

“You are way more important than a ceremony.” Baxter shakes his head. “Come on, let’s get you to the hospital.”

“But flowers, Mommy!” Nova starts crying again, and Baxter lifts her into his arms.

“You can throw those soon. We just need to make sure Aunt Caroline’s okay first.”

Nova’s face bunches with worry as I walk past her, cradling Caroline against me. She’s shuffling out of the church like a ninety-year-old, and after a few more slow steps, I can’t take it anymore.

Lifting her into my arms, I carry her down the front steps. It’s awkward with her big baby belly, and she’s protesting that she’s too heavy, but I ignore her, heading for Liam’s waiting truck.

I’m nearly at the door when Caroline tenses in my arms, a cry punching out of her as she fists my shirt and tips her head forward.

“Is it like a contraction?” I ask, my voice rusty as I watch my wife in pain. It kills me every fucking time.

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