Page 101 of There Are No Words

“Okay,” Brady said, watching me closely. “Do you need to sit down? Do you want to go home?”

But I shook my head and looked at my beautiful black dress that one of the designers I knew had custom made just for me, specifically for this party. Too bad it was about to be ruined because just then I felt a gush of water run down my legs.

Shock and fear colored Brady’s expression. “What the hell is that?”

I raised a brow and turned to face him, still clutching my stomach. “What? It wasn’t in that damn book of yours?” Okay, so I knew now was not the time to bring up the book, but I couldn’t help myself. “My water broke!” I said, stating what I thought was pretty obvious.

“Now?” he asked. “You said it was too soon.”

I nodded, looking around. I knew my sisters and Dad were here lurking about, working, seeing to last-minute details and loose ends. But where the hell were they exactly?

His hands never leaving me, he swallowed. “Okay. It’s going to be okay,” he said, as though trying to convince himself. “We have to get you to the hospital. Let’s go. Come on.”

And there goes my idea of a water birth. And my doula. You know the woman I hadn’t even had a chance to hire yet because I THOUGHT I HAD TIME!

Just then another pain ripped through me.Shit!I nodded finally, acknowledging Brady’s instructions.

“Wait!” I screamed as he tried steering us to the door. “My family. We have to tell them. I don’t want to do this without them.”

“Of course not.” He shook his head. “I’ll text them all when we get in the car.”

I shook my head right back at him. “No! They’re here somewhere. What if they don’t see their phones in time?”

I must have screamed a little too loud because the few people who were entering the ballroom just then turned to stare at us. I offered them a weak smile and light laugh. “It’s okay. Just about to give birth here!” I tried to explain in between deep breaths.

Brady tried to usher us out again, but I dug my heels in. “No!” I shouted at him. Then I turned around and yelled, “My water broke! Morellis, Morellis!” as I cradled my belly, slouched over, wondering how long Baby was going to hold out for.

And that did it. My dad and sisters ran into sight from all different directions. My sisters looked stunning, each more elegant than the last in their party gowns. Even Dad looked good in his all-black suit.

“Now?” Dad asked, his voice taking in a panicked tone. “I’m going to be a grandfather. Again.”

Not the time to get sentimental, Dad.

Brady and I nodded.

“Then go! We’ll be right behind you.”

“But the party?” I asked, sad that we’d miss it.

Perla stepped up. “Frankie and Knox will handle everything.” She already had her phone out, probably texting Frankie to update him. “The party will go on, and the guys will leave when they can. Let’s go!”

I breathed through another wave of pain. With every noise I made, Brady grew more tense at my side, trying to steer me toward the exit. “That’s it. You can all meet us there. We’re going to the hospital.”

I swallowed, my voice coming out unsteady as I insisted, “Jade!”

Brady looked to my family, and a look passed between them.

She was supposed to be at the party. She’d be here any minute. I wanted her with us.

But Maria stepped forward and put her arm around my and Brady’s shoulders. “Just go. I’ll call her.”

“I want her there,” I stated, in case anyone had any other ideas.

Nodding, Maria smiled and winked at me. “I know. I’ll redirect her to the hospital. Come on, we’re right behind you.”

As Brady and I hit the door, we almost ran right into her.

Just in the nick of time. Just like Mom—early to everything.

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