Page 127 of Samuel

But the second hour is where things took a dramatic and intense turn in the course material.

“Are you okay?” Evie hadn’t taken a full breath since the baby started crowning on the video, her body like a concrete pillar pressing against him. “Bluebell?”

“I think I’m going to be sick.” Her bright brown eyes met his, and all he saw was an ocean of terror looking back at him. He forced down his own queasiness. That video was not forthe faint of heart, but he wasn’t about to let Evie see even one drop of the worry that was coursing through his veins.

“Hey, whoa. Okay. Let’s put a hold on this for a minute.” Sam reached over to the laptop and paused the video before sinking back onto the couch with his arms wrapped around Evie. Her head nuzzled into the crook of his neck and he placed his hand on her belly. “What’s going on?”

“I shouldn’t have watched that. I-It was better not knowing that it’s going to be like… like that.”

“It’s not that bad.”

Her jaw dropped. “Says the person in this relationship that does not have to squeeze a watermelon out of their body! Oh my god, Sam, how can you be so calm? That’s horrific. I knew I’d need to do it, but I don’t know what I was thinking. I was lost in the baby bliss. The cute outfits and the sweet cuddles. The thought of all the precious memories we’d make together over the years. Not that. There’s nothing blissful aboutthat.” She frantically waved her hand at the computer screen, which was now frozen on the laboring woman screaming out in pain. Whoops. He probably should have just closed the whole laptop instead of trying to pause it.

“I’m calm because I’ve seen lots and lots of animals give birth in my life. And it’s all been messy, and primal, but really incredible and beautiful, too.”

Her head raised up off his shoulder and her finger jabbed into his chest. “If you’re trying to compare me giving birth to a cow giving birth, I swear to God, Cowboy, you can call off our wedding right now.”

Sam captured her finger and pressed a kiss to it. “We aren’t calling off a damn thing.”

Evie’s eyes welled up with tears.

“What’s wrong?”

“I got thinking about Lemon.”

Oh no. She was spiraling, fast.

“Come on. Up you go.” Sam jumped up, placing his feet on either side of Evie’s as he helped her stand. Her belly was getting so big, it was almost comical.

“What are we doing?”

“We’re going to dance.”

“What?”

“You heard me. You’re going to put your head over my heart, and we are going to slow dance until you’re feeling calm. Then we are going to finish this birthing class because you are the strongest, fiercest woman I know, and if anyone can handle it, it’s you.”

He continued to lead the slow back and forth rock until he felt the tension start to leave her body.

“What are we going to do about the apartment when the baby comes?”

“What do you mean?”

“Sam. I love it up here, but there isn’t even a bedroom for her. We have to figure out something.”

“Ah. Here. I wanted to wait until things were finalized with the county, but I think today is as good a day as any…”

He held her hands as she lowered herself onto the sofa.

“Why are you being so cryptic?”

“Because. I’ve been working on a little surprise, and it’s probably time I let you in on it.”

She had the cutest questioning look on her face that he couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss her.

“Remember how I told you I branded your name into my hat the night of the solstice?”

“Yes. How could I forget that?”

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