Page 95 of Can We Try?

“No. Not yet. I want to be on my way to the hospital before I do.”

“Okay. I’m walking out the door.”

Taking my towel and my phone, knowing my bags and the baby’s are already in my SUV that we bought last week, I open the garage door, and pull my car out. I’m walking around the SUV to get into the passenger side when Maddox comes roaring into the driveway.

“What are you doing, Maggie?”

“We need to take my car. It has the car seat and all the bags. I was pulling it out of the garage for you. Besides, I don’t want to mess up your truck.” I wrinkle my nose.

“The truck can be cleaned, but come on.” He places his hand on the small of my back, while holding my arm with the other, and helps me to the passenger side.

“I need to put this down, just in case.”

“On it.” He quickly places the towel over the seat, helps me inside, and fastens my seat belt before rushing around the front of my SUV and sliding behind the wheel.

Once we’re out of the driveway, I call Lachlan.

“Hey, Mags. How ya feeling?”

“Well, Maddox and I are on our way to the hospital. My water broke,” I rush to say before he freaks out. Who am I kidding? He’s going to freak out. Briar, Emerson, and Monroe already warned me about the full-on daddy-to-be panic mode that would set in.

“Are you okay? How are the contractions? Sorry, bro, my wife just went into labor. I can have one of the guys finish you up, or we can schedule again. I hate to run, but it’s my wife. My son,” Lachlan rambles.

I hear his client tell him to go, and they can finish up in a couple of weeks once he’s healed and to take care of his wife and baby. Technically, we’re not married yet, but I don’t think this is the time to correct either one of them.

“I’m fine, Lachlan. Just breathe.”

“I should be telling you that. Let me talk to Maddox.”

“You’re on speaker,” I tell him.

“Maddox, brother, you have my entire world in that truck right now.”

“I got this,” Maddox replies. “Drive safely. We’re in Maggie’s SUV, so we have everything we need but you. Don’t drive like a maniac. Her contractions are not close together. In fact, she’s not had one since I’ve been with her.”

“How far apart?” Lachlan asks.

“The last one was about ten minutes ago. We have plenty of time. Drive safe. We’ll see you there.”

“Maggie, I love you. We’re having a baby.”

“I love you too.”

“Maddox.” Lachlan’s voice cracks.

“I’ve got them, brother. See you soon.” He reaches out and ends the call on the dash.

“This is good practice for me anyway,” Maddox says, making me laugh.

By the time we reach the hospital, I’ve yet to have another contraction. I get checked in and go straight up to the maternity ward. A nurse offers to help me change, and Maddox steps out in the hallway to call Brogan.

I’m barely in my gown when Lachlan comes racing through the door. “I’m here. Is he here? Did I miss it?”

The nurse laughs. “You must be dad?”

I swear his chest puffs out. “Yes. Me. I’m the dad.” He slaps at his chest, and my heart melts as I laugh.

“Come here.” I hold my hand out for him, and he comes to me, kissing my forehead, and holding my hand while the nurse gets me hooked up to an IV, and the baby monitor on.

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