Page 43 of Merry with a Single Dad

“Good point.” I sighed. “I guess?—”

“What’s going on?” Savannah asked, surprising us both.

“Uh, Gigi’s in labor. Celine’s on her way now,” I said.

“Really? I’m going to see puppies being born?” The anticipation in her voice awakened my own excitement.

“I’m a nervous wreck,” I admitted. “Um . . . I guess we can—” I looked to the corner of the living room where Gigi’s bed used to be.

“What do you need?” Savannah asked.

“Blankets. Towels. Do you have a heating pad?” I said, walking as if I’d forgotten where everything was.

“Blankets and towels, yes. Heating pad, no,” Chris said.

I clutched my stomach, out of sorts and thinking that in eight months, I’d be going into labor.

I started to follow Chris, but the sound of car doors shutting outside caught my attention. Savannah and I rushed to the front door.

Almost laughing at Celine’s haphazard parking job, I stood aside to allow her and Elodie to walk inside, theirarms overflowing with blankets and towels. In a state of disorientation, Gigi whined and looked at me with wide eyes full of emotion.

“I know, honey,” I crooned. “Come on. Let’s get you comfortable over here,” I said, leading the way to her old spot in the living room.

Celine made quick introductions since I hadn’t met Elodie yet. Dressed in satin jammies, they looked chic and ready to take on the world. It didn’t surprise me that even in the most unexpected situation, Celine looked just as elegant as she would if she were sitting in a French café sipping an espresso.

We hurried to get Gigi comfortable, huddling around, but careful to give her the space she needed. She dropped onto the big blankets, panting heavily and looking at us with what I could only imagine was part uncertainty, part fear.

Chris swept into the room. “Here.” One look at all the blankets and towels laid out, he chuckled and tossed his stack to the floor.

“Thank you, Chris,” Celine said, kissing him on each cheek. “You’re a good pup grandpa.”

We all chuckled, careful not to startle Gigi.

Gigi’s body trembled with the effort of labor.

“My sweet, precious,” Celine whispered as she crouched on the floor with her baby girl. She spoke softly, resting her hand gently on Gigi’s head. “You’re going to be just fine. You’re doing so good.”

I carefully checked Gigi over. The rhythmic tightening of her muscles took my breath away. It was amazing to feel her body working instinctively to bring her puppies into the world.

“We’re right here, Gigi,” I crooned, stroking her soft fur.

She released a small whimper as another contraction started.

“I wish there was something I could do for her,” Celine said.

“I guess there’s no epidurals for dogs,” Chris said.

Savannah smacked his arm.

“What? I’m just saying.”

“Chris.” I shook my head.

“Sorry.”

My heart squeezed in sympathy for Gigi and Celine. We all felt helpless, knowing there wasn’t much we could do.

Gigi tried to move, then whimpered. She dug her paws into the blanket and breathed hard.

---