Page 106 of Fatal Attraction

“It’ll be fine, Phoenix. Either way, you still have jobs to do. I promise I’ll try to keep them in as long as I can.”

He didn’t like it, not one bit, but he nodded, accepting defeat.

When we made it to the hospital, I kissed them both goodbye and gaped nervously at the building as a nurse helped me in a wheelchair and rushed me up to labor and delivery.

I couldn’t do this.

Jesus fucking Christ I couldn’t do this.

Another contraction came, and by the end of it, I was panting hard and had even broken a sweat trying to breathe through the pain. They hadn’t been as consistent since I’d arrived and got settled in a room, but each one seemed to be more excruciating than the last.

“Make sure you aren’t holding your breath when the contractions come. It’ll only make it more painful.”

I nodded at the nurse, who was standing beside me, observing a parchment which was slowly printing out the progression of each contraction. “How-how far?”

“They were coming rather strong at first, but now that you’re in bed, resting, they’re ranging between fifteen to twenty minutes apart. Give me a moment to speak with the doctor and I’ll have her come in and check you.”

She stepped out of the room, giving me some time to grab my phone off the side table and shoot off a quick text to the guys. I knew I was going to regret this, but I wasn’t sure if they’d called my parents, so I picked up the phone and dialed my father first.

“We’re coming,” he’d literally shouted through the phone, sounding flustered and excited all at once.

I sighed.

Well, damn. They did call them.

“Gary,” Mom sneered in the background. “For the love of God, slow the fuck down! The last thing we need is to get a speeding ticket!”

“Kiss my ass, June,” he snapped right back at her. “My grandbabies are about to be born, and I amNOTmissing it.”

I sighed again and tiredly rubbed my temples. “Mom’s right, Dad. Don’t be reckless. I know you’re excited, but I don’t want you to wreck trying to get to me.”

“Fine,” he said in a low, sad baritone. “I’ll be careful. We’ll see you in about an hour, pumpkin. I love you.”

“Love you too, Dad.”

I hung up, then squeezed my eyes closed, praying they would find some way to get along and not make this the most dreadful experience of my life. The process of their divorce was still ongoing and last I’d heard from Mom, which was a few months ago when she’d called to check in on me and the babies, she told me she’d somehow managed to convince Dad tosee a therapist with her. Given what I just heard, it must not have been going so well.

Or maybe it was.

Hell, I really didn’t know, and I frankly didn’t care.

Two knocks rapped against the door then, and in stepped Dr. Scanlon, the OBGYN I’d been seeing since the beginning of the pregnancy. She had on dark grey scrubs and her blonde hair was pulled up in a messy bun. She offered me a bright smile and then outstretched her arms for a hug.

“How are you doing, Charlotte?”

“I’m okay,” I said as we parted. “But I’m scared. The babies aren’t due for another month, so I don’t understand why my water broke so early. I-I’m supposed to be in court right now.”

She chuckled softly. “You’re having twins, Charlotte. It’s quite normal for patients like yourself to experience an early labor.”

“But they’re fine, right? The babies aren’t in any trouble?”

She smiled. “Don’t worry yourself over it. You’re in great hands, so just try and relax. Stressing out isn’t good for you or the babies. Now, I need to check and see if you’re dilating. Do me a favor and try to scoot down and spread your legs for me.”

It was uncomfortable, depressingly uncomfortable, but I did like she asked.

“Oh, wow,” she said, blinking in surprise. “You’re farther along than I thought.”

“Wh-what?” Now I was starting to get worried. “What do you mean?”

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