Page 74 of Counting the Stars

“Yup.” I flick open the lid to reveal a white gold diamond and amethyst engagement ring. I contemplated taking Aly or Michelle to help, but neither of them was around. It turned out I didn’t need their input because the moment I walked into the jewelry store and saw the ring with Gabby’s favorite color in it, I knew it was the one.

“Damn, man! I don’t know much about jewelry, but that looks like it was made for Gabby.”

“I know, right? I’m so excited to give it to her, but I’m not sure how to propose.”

“You mean you don’t want to do it the same way you’ve done it the last thousand times?”

“Exactly! This is serious business. This time, I’m coming equipped with sparkly things.” I hold the box back to admire my selection. I can’t wait to give it to her. Our relationship might still be new, but I think it’s safe to say we’re in this for the long haul. If we can handle everything we’ve already been through, we can handle whatever life throws at us. “I thought I’d scroll through YouTube and get some ideas for a proposal.”

“I’m also not an expert on that, but my guess is to avoid anything in public. Gabby’s not the type that wants a lot of attention drawn to her.”

“Yeah, I already figured that. I’m thinking about placing the ring somewhere she might not think of and having a quiet dinner at home, or something like that.”

“Well, let me know if you need help with anything.” He claps me on the back.

There’s the Carter I know.

Once my roommate heads downstairs to the gym, I plop down on the couch with my phone in one hand and the ring in the other. Angry thunder rattles our windows as I scroll through countless proposal ideas.

“Hey!” Aly pops her head in through the door. “Are you, umm…busy?”

“Not really.” I study Aly’s features as she walks through the doorway. It’s not like her to come over to our place, and something about her seems…different. “Everything okay, Legs?”

“Yeah, umm…kinda.” Her eyes immediately home in on my left hand, and her energy switches back to regular bubbly Aly. “Oh my God! Is that—”

“Shh!” I cut her off, though no one is around to hear us. I jump up and meet her near the doorway, holding the ring box out for her to see.

“Oh, Alex!” she gushes. “This is beati—ohhh.” She grabs onto my bicep and digs her nails into my skin. That’s when I realize she has her other arm wrapped around her belly.

“Shit, Legs! Are you in labor?”

“I don’t know,” she says after taking a deep breath, her grip loosening. “I thought it was Braxton Hicks contractions like all those other times, but then my water broke and—”

“Your water broke?!” I shout.

“I didn’t mean for it to break! It just happened.” Aly’s voice cracks and a few tears stream down her face.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. You just caught me off guard. Where’s Jax?” I look behind her as if he’ll magically appear.

“Travis’s truck got stuck in the mud. Jax went to help. I told him to wait out the storm at Travis’s because I didn’t want himdriving in this weather. I’d be a stressed-out mess.” She stops to take some slow, deep breaths. “That was before my water broke and the contractions got stronger. I tried calling him, but it’s going straight to voicemail.”

Shit. Travis is the one who lives in the log cabin out in the woods where Gabby and I count stars. Cell service can be finicky out there. With this rain and wind, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s completely knocked out.

“Is Michelle around?” I could call Carter for help, but if he’s in the gym, he has the music cranked up to full blast and won’t hear my call. Plus, he has a weak stomach.

“She had a study group at the library.” She doubles over in pain. “Oww! It’s getting worse!”

“I need to call nine-one-one. I don’t think it’s safe to drive you to the hospital.”

“I already called. There are lots of accidents and trees down blocking the roads. They said it could be a while before they get here.”

I curse to myself. I know this is a scary situation and the last thing I need is for her to panic even more. I take a breath and center myself, knowing what I have to do. I am a paramedic, certified and all. I can do this. Actually, I’ve done this before.

“I need you to find a comfortable place—the couch, the floor, wherever you want. I’m going to grab some towels and my medical kit. I have news for you, Legs.”

“B-bad news?” She pants in pain.

“No bad news, only good news,” I tell her confidently. “This is not the first time I’ve delivered a baby.”

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