Page 49 of Knocked Up By the Silver Fox

When things heated up between Beth and I and Beth took that other office, Sarah went for the jugular. The tears in her eyes as she told me how she mentioned the Butcher account to Nevil Banks didn't do anything to lessen the severity of the breach, and all at a moment of weakness. All because of a stupid office. How petty.

"Well I hope she learned her lesson. She's walking out of here with a black stain on her reputation. She won't get a job anywhere…" Allen's smug expression didn't undo the fracture in our relationship over all the things that occurred and the way I treated him, but I knew given enough time our friendship would heal.

I opened my mouth to speak, but my phone chimed and every eye in the place turned to lock on me as Jewel went overnumbers for our shareholders. Even she flicked a glance at me as I mumbled an apology and pulled the phone out. It was a text from Abby, one I probably shouldn't have read during this important meeting, but my part was mostly done.

"Put that way," Allen hissed, but I swiped to read it.

Abby 1:11 PM:Dad, 911 Beth's in the hospital. Her water broke. Going with her. Get here fast.

My gut twisted and my heart leapt up into my throat, and I noticed Allen's eyes staring down at my screen. I started toward the door and he grabbed my arm.

"What are you doing?" he hissed, and it drew the attention of everyone in the room. He again was looking out for the company but there was nothing more important to me than the woman I loved.

"I have to go…" I grumbled but his grip on my bicep remained firm. "Let go of me."

"Think about what you're doing." His eyes narrowed and he nodded at the board.

I didn't care. This was bad. Beth wasn't even twenty-eight weeks yet. Her water breaking so early meant scary things.

"Uh, excuse me, everyone. My partner is being rushed to the hospital. I have to leave right now. Allen will finish the meeting for me." I turned to look at him and said, "Good day."

Then I pulled my arm from his grasp and moved toward the door and Carl stood and turned toward me. He said, "Let us know how it goes, William. We'll hold down the fort."

I walked out of that conference room feeling confident that I was doing the right thing, and I had my driver rush me to the hospital. While he drove I texted Abby who didn't respond, and tried calling the hospital but they only knew that Beth was on her way in by ambulance. No one could give me details. I was frantic, having pushed everything out of my mind except for Beth and the baby. She was probably terrified; so was Abby.

By the time I got there the ambulance had already arrived and Abby sent me a text. I rushed into the ER and she met me by the doors and took my hand.

"Dad, she's in labor…It's so early." Abby looked like she'd been crying as she dragged me past exam station after exam station.

"What happened?" I asked, feeling panicked. The girls had been together apparently, and I wondered if Beth fell or had some sort of accident.

"I don't know, Dad. She just said her belly had been hurting and then she gasped. When she stood up it looked like she peed herself and she said to call 911…" Abby recounted the tale with a horrified tone and I wanted to pull her into my arms and settle her, but I felt just as traumatized.

I threw back the curtain when we stopped at an exam station and Beth lay there doubled over with her arms wrapped around her growing belly. In the past month she had really popped out, so there was a lot more belly to love. I hurried over to her and bent to take her into my arms.

"Oh God, Will…" She was crying, obviously scared.

"What happened, baby? Are you okay?" I sat on the edge of her bed and pulled her into my chest. Abby hovered nearby.

"I just felt sick all morning, and then my belly was hurting. They said I have to have steroids and—" Shock was scrawled on her features and her hands trembled. "The nurse hasn't come back. I need a doctor…please."

The fear in her tone engaged my primal nature to defend and protect. "Nurse!" I shouted, not even fully knowing if there was anything they could do. I just knew Beth was scared and all I could think about was losing this baby. What if something horrible happened? What if she lost the baby? What would I do then?

Would Beth and I survive?

33

BETH

It hurt.

It hurt so bad I couldn't stop the screams that erupted from my belly as I hunched over and bore down. I was scared, but not as much as I had been two days ago when they rushed me into the hospital. The amnioinfusion they put me on and the steroids for the baby's lungs worked until I got a fever.

"You've got this, Beth. You're doing so well." Will hovered over me, mopping sweat from my forehead, letting me use his hand for support. I crushed it. I probably broke some of his bones. And he was probably deaf from my screaming, but he was here with me.

The pain was excruciating and I knew I should've asked for an epidural but everything happened so fast when they stopped the IV that was keeping the contractions away. Things just progressed and now I felt like my entire body was exploding with every contraction.

"I can't. It hurts…Please help me." My pleading fell on deaf ears, but what could Will do anyway? I was tired and weak. No one prepared me for this much pain.

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