Page 142 of Bae

Romeo shuffled anxiously on his feet in front of me, and I straightened, still holding my stomach as nerves danced around inside me. “My water just broke.”

His eyes flared. “Are you sure?”

I lifted the skirt so he could see my wet thighs. An uncomfortable feeling squeezed my middle, and I winced.

“Holy fuck!” he burst out. “That don’t look right. What’s happening?”

“I’m in labor,” I told him, taking a deep breath. “We’re going to meet our baby today.”

“But it’s not time,” he demanded. “He’s not supposed to come out yet!” He pointed at my stomach accusingly.

“I don’t think he cares,” I said as more pain squeezed through my middle.

“Okay, yeah.” He panted, his arms hovering around me. “Okay, don’t worry, baby. I’m right here.”

He picked me up, and I made a small sound. He cussed, and I bit back a smile. He was the one worrying right now, not me.

“We’re going to the hospital right now,” he announced.

“But my bag, it isn’t packed.” I worried.

“Ivy!” he roared.

The entire family came running over, including Valerie and Tony. “We’re going to the hospital. She needs all her shit. You can do that, right?” he asked, talking fast as he went.

“Rimmel, are you in labor?” Ivy burst out.

I nodded and glanced at Valerie. “I’m so sorry to ruin this gorgeous shower.”

“Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting for this day! Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll shoo everyone out of here, and then we'll be at the hospital right away!”

“Where the hell are my keys?” Romeo yelled.

“Probably in the house,” I told him calmly.

“I’ll drive,” Drew announced. “Meet you in the garage.”

And just like that, everyone burst into action. Ivy went to pack a bag. Braeden handed Nova off to his mother, and he and Trent flanked Romeo as he rushed me through the yard to my new Range Rover, Drew already in the driver’s seat.

The second we were all inside, he peeled down the driveway like we were in one of his races.

I glanced up at Romeo, his face pale and wild.

I ducked mine into his chest and smiled.

“It’s all right, Rim,” he told me. “I’ll make sure everything is fine.”

He was so incredibly sweet. Even though I saw the nerves on his face, he was being the man I always knew him to be. Strong and capable.

Funny, I’d been so scared for this moment when I first found out I was pregnant again. Scared I’d never get here. Scared I would.

Now the moment was here… I wasn’t scared at all.

There was an inner peace suddenly unlocked inside me, whispering everything would be okay and this baby would indeed be coming home with us.

With my head on Romeo’s chest (I was still in his lap, getting him and me wet), I glanced across at the baby seat he’d just installed.

My eyes misted over.

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