Page 111 of Pieces

The world stops. The seatbelt suddenly crushes my chest. “Daphne?” I whisper, my voice strained. “Oh god, the baby.”

I’m clinging to the wheel like it’s the only thing holding me together.

Jay’s sigh rattles down the line. “I’m sorry, man. She’s okay, but she passed out. You should get here. I’m still with her.”

A sob makes its way out of my mouth before I can stop it. “Jay, the baby…”

“Is okay, I swear,” Jay says firmly. “She’s awake now and comfortable, but she needs you here safely, okay?”

I choke on a breath, my vision blurring as tears burn down my cheeks. “Okay,” I manage, wiping them with my sleeve. “I’m just out of town, thirty minutes tops.”

“Good,” he says. “Be careful. I’ve got them, okay? I won’t leave.”

I nod, but he can’t see me. “Thank you.”

Then I throw the car into gear and hit the gas because my family needs me.

***

The automatic doors slide open with that sterile swoosh, and I’m hit with the sharp smell of antiseptic…again. Fluorescent lights buzz overhead, and the faint hospital noises around me feel like I’m walking into a twilight zone. Nurses’ shoes squeaking against the polished floors, distant beeps of monitors. Jesus, this is like a bad dream.

My gut twists as I approach the front desk.

“Can I help you?” the receptionist asks, barely glancing up from her computer.

“Uh, yeah,” I say, leaning on the counter, trying to catch my breath. “I’m here for my girlfriend. She came here earlier today. She’s pregnant. I’m the dad.”

“Name?”

“Daphne James.”

The receptionist’s fingers hover over her keyboard as she types Daphne’s name into the system. My heart pounds like a drum, echoing in my ears.

“Room 314,” she says, looking up at me briefly. “Take the elevators to the third floor and follow the signs to the maternity ward.”

Maternity ward. That’s where she is. The words make my stomach clench. I mumble a quick “thanks” and take off toward the elevators.

When I finally step inside the elevator, I stab at the button for the third floor. The doors slide shut, and the silence in the confined space wraps around me, magnifying the roar of my thoughts. Everything is okay. Everything is okay. I repeat the mantra in my head.

The elevator dings, breaking my spiral. As I step out into the third floor, my sneakers squeak on the linoleum, and I glance around for the right room.

I spot Jay leaning against the wall outside one of the doors. His head snaps up when he sees me, and his shoulders sag with relief.

“How is she?” I ask, my voice coming out rougher than I intended.

Jay pushes off the wall and shoves his hands into his pockets. “She’s…okay. The doctors are still running some tests. You should go in.”

My chest loosens just a fraction, and I nod. Jay steps aside, but I catch his wrist. “Thank you, man.”

“Of course.” He nods, and I move toward the door, pushing it open.

Daphne is lying in the hospital bed, her face pale against the stark white pillow. Even like this, she looks beautiful, though there’s a fragility about her that makes my throat tighten. Dr. Carter is sitting right next to her, but I’m focused entirely on my girl.

“Hudson,” Daphne whispers, her voice hoarse but warm, like the sun breaking through a storm.

I’m by her side in two long strides, taking her hand in mine. “Hey, baby. I’m here.”

***

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