Page 75 of Counting the Stars

“God, I was hoping you’d say that.” Aly’s shoulders visibly relax as she awkwardly sits down on the couch.

“I’ve delivered two babies before, which makes this number three and that just happens to be my lucky number.”

I run into my room, put the ring box back in my drawer, and grab some towels and my medical kit. I come back out to see Aly resting comfortably on the couch. I think just knowing she’s not alone has put her at ease. I kneel down in front of my friend and take her hands in mine.

“Everything is going to be okay. We got this, Legs.”

***

“I can’t believe he’s here.” Aly cradles her healthy baby boy while sitting upright in her hospital bed. I’m glad she finally has a chance to rest.

Things got pretty crazy for a while. Aly’s contractions became steadier and stronger. Before we knew it, she needed to push. Jax and the paramedics arrived just as the baby made his grand entrance. The look of panic, realization, and elation that crossed over Jax’s face in that moment is something that will be engrained in my memory forever. Also, I’m never going to let anyone forget that I helped bring baby J.J. into the world.

“You know, Jaxon Junior is nice and all, but have you considered changing his name to Alejandro? It has a nice ring to it.”

“You’re never going to drop this, are you?” Jax groans.

“Nope.” I rock on my heels and turn toward Carter, who’s been quietly sitting in the corner. “How ya holdin’ up there, buddy?”

“I’ve been better.” He rests his head up against the wall, still looking a little green around the gills. Did I mention my roommate is a class-A wimp?

“I’m sorry you had to see all that.” Aly winces.

“I just wish neither of you saw that part of my wife,” Jax grumbles.

“It’s okay.” Aly puts a reassuring hand on Jax. “Alex was strictly professional, and I don’t think Carter saw much before he blacked out.”

“Please, let’s just never bring this up again,” Carter moans. Unfortunately for him, he showed up shortly before Jax and the paramedics did. It was right at the height of Aly’s labor and to say he saw more than he bargained for is an understatement. The poor guy passed out in the doorway, and Jax had to step over him to get to Aly.

Once Aly and J.J. were taken care of, I helped Carter try to pull himself together. I fired off a text to Michelle and Gabby, hopped in the shower, grabbed my still-stunned roommate, and headed for the hospital.

My phone pings in my pocket with a text message from Michelle. “The road by the library has cleared and Peanut is on her way. Gabby hasn’t read the message yet, but she’s still working. I’m going to run up to Peds and let her know the good news.”

I leave my friends to go tell Gabby my epic story. She’s going to be so excited, yet disappointed she missed J.J.’s birth.

I feel the change in energy before the elevator doors to the pediatric unit fully part. Cops line the hallway and medical equipment is scattered all over the floor. A woman cries in a chair while a man has his arm around her shoulder, trying to comfort her. The place looks like a tornado went through it, and Gabby is nowhere to be found. My heart sinks into my stomach.

“Alex!” a voice calls from behind me. I spin around to see Marissa, the charge nurse. Her hair is a mess and mascara streaks down her face, but worst of all, her scrubs are covered in blood.

“Marissa, what the hell happened?!”

“Th-there was an altercation,” she stammers. “Security was called, but they didn’t get here in time. Gab-Gabby tried to protect a patient and was attacked. She—”

I don’t bother listening to whatever Marissa has to say. I’m already bolting down the stairwell to the Emergency Department. The fact that someone was violent toward the woman I love, the woman who wouldn’t hurt a fly, makes me damn near feral. I have to see her. I have to know she’s okay. I can’t lose her.

I throw open the door to the Emergency Department, running so fast that I nearly skid when I spot Dr. Cody, one of the attending physicians. His face grows solemn as soon as he sees me approach.

“Where is she?” I demand.

“I’m so sorry, Alex. She was taken upstairs for emergency surgery.”

40

Gabby

Sunlight peeks through the curtain and pierces my eyes. I turn my head from the offending light. My body feels heavy, like I’ve been buried in weighted blankets. I can’t stand weighted blankets. I remember Michelle saying she thinks they are the best invention ever, but I don’t like the feeling of being held down. I blink my eyes open to move the troublesome blanket but realize that only a light sheet is covering me. It’s my own body that feels like lead.

I wiggle my toes in an attempt to wake up my feet. A tickly, tingly sensation shoots up my legs. I wiggle my fingers next. My one hand moves freely, but my other hand is stuck. With the energy of a sloth, I lift my head up a bit to see what’s trapping my hand. Another hand. Another hand is holding my hand through the rails of the bed. A hospital bed. I’m in the hospital all the time but not as the patient. I don’t need to follow the hand up to its owner because I’d know that hand anywhere.

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