“You can make your calls,” she says, appearing to be a bit calmer.

“I’ll be quick.”

Before I’m out the door, she calls out. “Lucas?”

I turn.

There’s something in her eyes. The way she looks at me. I know it’s just gratitude mixed with exhaustion and anxiety. Fora moment, however, I could swear it’s more. But I know it’s just my mind playing tricks.

“Thanks for always being there. I’m not sure I could have done this without you.”

“It doesn’t stop when we leave this hospital with him. I’m going to be there. Wherever and whenever you need me. Always.”

She smiles sadly, as if it’s something she both wants and doesn’t want.

I thumb out the door. “I’ll go make those calls. Be back soon.”

~ ~ ~

Visitors have come and gone all afternoon. Maddie and Ava played cards with Regan. Ryder brought food after closing early for the day. Allie and my parents came and told tales about my childhood. They’ve all taken turns trying to distract us from what seems inevitable. Because we can see her blood pressure. It’s taken automatically every so often. And every time it is, Regan and I lock eyes. We know what this means. We’re going to have a baby tomorrow.

A premature one.

Chapter Thirty-nine

Regan

As another contraction hits, which thankfully isn’t as bad as before thanks to the epidural, the nurse injects something into my IV line.

“This is magnesium sulfate,” she says. “It helps prevent seizures during labor.”

Lucas and I share another concerned stare.

Nurses are constantly checking on me, watching my blood pressure, asking about my vision, headaches, nausea, pain, and swelling.

And they’re obsessed with the fetal monitor. Probably because if the baby’s heart rate shows any sudden changes, I’ll be whisked away for an emergency C-section.

This is not at all how I planned for this to go. Months ago, when I’d think about M&M’s arrival, it was much more serene. Me laboring to my favorite playlist. Lucas offering his luminous smile and encouraging words with every one of my contractions. Mitchell coming into the world and being placed into my arms, everything and everyone else falling away as we share our first moments together.

But now… there’s barely a moment when we’re alone. A few minutes here and there.

Earlier today, more friends and family stopped by. I got tired of everyone telling me it was going to be okay. Like they thought maybe it wasn’t. I didn’t need that negative energy. So we kicked them out and it’s just been the two of us all afternoon. Well, the two of us and the slew of nurses scurrying about.

Once Seizure Nurse leaves the room, Lucas sits down again in the chair by the bed.

“Tell me something to keep my mind off all this,” I say.

“Okay, let’s see… well, you know Dallas and Marti got engaged recently. So guess what? They picked a date. The wedding will be this spring and it’ll be a destination wedding.”

“They don’t want to get married here?”

“Dallas’s first wedding was at the winery. He’s not about to have a second one there. I think he just wanted something completely different so there would be no bad memories of his late wife.”

“Right. That makes sense. Where is it going to be?”

“Antigua.”

“That sounds fun. You’ll have a great time I’m sure.”