Page 22 of Till Cupid Do Us Part

“Clarify what you meant, Jill,” Niko demands stiffly, like he’s struggling to rein himself. The next word is said from behind clenched teeth. “Please.”

Jill’s face is visible through the haze of tears when she moves back to how she was sitting before my explosion. “I’ve never wanted kids, Ivy. I made that decision long before we ever met. I’m happy without them. That’s all. I’m not jealous of what you’re going through in the slightest.”

“Niko made me want a million babies,” I blubber.

“A million?” Niko echoes incredulously while Jill snorts a laugh.

I’m being dramatic. I decided months ago that one would be perfect for me and us and made the changes needed to ensure that, but hearing Niko respond like that only strikes at the crumbling ground beneath me. Another wave of tears hits as I shove him away from me and bury my face in my hands.

“Would it be so terrible to have a million babies with me?”

Silence.

The lack of response makes everything worse.

I reach for the blurry shape of my daiquiri glass and toss the straw out before tipping my head back and chugging the rest of the slush. I’m missing the alcohol now more than ever.

There’s a dull pain in my lower stomach when I set the empty glass down. I ignore the fake contraction the way I have over the last few days.

“If I were fifteen years younger, I’d have a million and one babies with you, angel,” Niko murmurs, turning my head with a finger beneath my chin. When I blink my watery eyes at him, he kisses my nose so tenderly I sniffle to avoid another sob. “You know I love you. And I love our life and the baby you’re growin’ for us. I’ll give you everythin’ I can, even if it’s just the three of us.”

“We’re a family of four, Niko,” I whisper. Another jab comes, but it’s between my ribs. The second is stronger, hitting low in my belly.

Niko winces. “Yeah, angel. We’re a family of four. Just a bit broken.”

“We should fix everything. Talk to Travis and make amends.”

“Is that you or the hormones talkin’?”

“It’s me?—”

Jill pokes my elbow, drawing my attention. She slowly looks down at the floor, and both Niko and I follow her gaze. The shine of water confuses me.

“I’m pretty sure it’s the hormones, Ivy. I hope that isn’t pee on the floor,” she says slowly, in disbelief.

Niko stands immediately. When I notice the twin wet patches on the knees of his jeans, I recoil with a gasp.

“I water popped on you!” I howl, scrambling back off the stool.

He reaches for me, but his reflexes are slower than normal. His expression grows blank while his cheeks pale to a pasty white.

My feet ache as I stand in place, palming my belly. It grows tight as a not-so-fake contraction appears. A breath gets stuck in my throat at the pain that follows.

“Niko,” I groan, leaning against his body. “I think we need to go to the hospital. I’m . . . this shit fucking hurts.”

He snaps into action. Still pale, he blinks into focus and bundles me beneath his arm before moving me around the puddle I left on the floor.

Jill trails after us as we move through the bar. “What do you need? Is it baby time? Can I get you anything?”

“Hospital bag is in my truck. Gotta tell Matty in the back before we go,” Niko explains.

Jill touches my arm, smiling softly. “I’ve got Matty and this place. Just go and let me know when I can meet baby Shaw.”

The contraction dies off while I wiggle out from beneath Niko’s arm and tackle my friend in a hug. Her cookie scent is as comforting as her entire friendship has been.

I didn’t know I would grow to find someone like her here in this town, and I’m so happy I did. She’s incredible. I’m proud to call her my friend.

“Love you, Jilly Bean.”

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