Page 117 of While We Waited

I shrug. “It was either a curfew or I was going with you.”

“It’s hard to gossip about our men when one of the men is with us.”

“Which is why I compromised. And now it’s time for another compromise.”

She sighs. “There are rules about when a woman should go to the hospital for labor. There isn’t room for compromise.”

“But you’re in pain.”

“And I’m a woman. I can handle it.”

“What do you want? Say the word and you can have it. If you agree to go to the hospital now.”

She smiles and despite the pain obvious to see in her eyes, it lights up her face. “I have everything I want. I have the man I love kneeling in front of me. And we’re having a baby together. What else could I possibly want for in life?”

Damn. She makes a good argument, but I’m not giving up this easily.

“How about a hot tub? We can add it next to the swimming pool. Think about it. We could go out there and relax in the hot water, no matter the weather. In fact, our deck is completely isolated. We could go naked.”

She wags her finger at me. “You’ve been trying to get me to skinny dip since the day you installed the pool.”

I waggle my eyebrows. “And you promised you would skinny dip when you’re not pregnant.”

“And I’ve lost the baby fat.”

“What do you say?” I push. “I can have the hot tub installed tomorrow.”

“You don’t need to buy me things.”

“I enjoy buying you things. It makes me happy.”

“And I enjoy making you happy.”

“Then, accept the hot tub and make me happy by agreeing to go to the hospital.”

“I don’t need a hot tub.”

I frown. “What about if I have a beer tap installed in our bar? We could stock whateverFive Fathomsbeer you want.”

“We already have all theFive Fathomsbeer I want.”

“What about—”

“Enough!” She holds up her hand. “I don’t want anything material from you. All I want is you.”

“I’m trying to compromise here.”

She frowns.

“What is it? Another contraction? Let me time it.” I grab my phone to start the timer.

“There’s no need.”

“Not a contraction?”

“I mean there’s no need to compromise anymore.” She cringes. “My water broke. It’s a good thing I put a towel down on this chair.”

“I don’t give a fuck about the chair.” I lift her in my arms and begin to carry her to the door.

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