Page 139 of Playboy

She sighs and waves me over. “Follow me.”

On wobbly legs, I step into a legit kitchen behind her. As soon as I have ice in hand, I turn and take off.

“Don’t run!” she yells.

I basically skate back to the room, and as I step inside, Hannah screams again.

From there, time creeps by while also moving far too quickly. Every time Hannah is hit with a contraction, I want to die. The way her face contorts as she tries to breathe breaks me. Every second that she’s in pain is an eternity. But the time between contractions seems to get longer, and as the hours drag on, I worry she’ll never make it through this.

“We need a doctor,” I say, pacing the room, hands on my head.

Hannah’s relaxed, focused on an episode ofLove It or List Itwith Millie.

“I’m fine,” she mumbles around an ice chip.

“Want me to go look for one?” Millie offers, shifting off the bed.

Hannah clutches her arm. “I want the calm twin. You can go.” She barely looks in my direction as she holds my sister hostage.

Shrugging, Millie settles beside her again. While part of me wants to be the one snuggled up with Hannah, I can’t just sit here. I’m a doer. I need todosomething.

Hands fisted at my sides, I stride out of the room. I have no plan in mind other than to walk the halls. To release some of this pent-up tension.

During my third lap around the floor, a familiar laugh echoes down the hall. I follow the sound until I find the waiting room. It’s crowded with hockey players. Aiden is in the center—of course—making everyone laugh, and Gavin’s sitting in the corner, chatting quietly with Noah.

War is the first to notice me. “Daddy Hall!”

The room goes silent, and every head turns my way. They’re all in their game day suits, lounging around the waiting area on the birthing center floor. To say I get choked up at the sight is an understatement. When War stands, I get a peek at the shirt under his jacket. It’s not a typical Oxford.

No, it’s a tee.

“Best Uncle?” I croak, my chest going painfully tight.

Breathing through the ache, I take them all in. Fuck. Every single one of them is wearing a matching shirt.

Gavin stands. “Well, is he here?”

I shake my head and throw a thumb over my shoulder. “Nah, she kicked me out.”

The low rumble of chuckles is palpable.

“Were you having sympathy pains again?” War throws his arms out and wraps me in a hug.

“No, it’s just so hard to watch her in pain. How did you do it?”

He probably didn’t even break a sweat holding Ava’s hand.

He releases me, but he keeps his head next to mine and whispers, “I cried the entire time.”

My eyes snap to his. “You did?”

He nods. “If you tell anyone, I’ll kill you.”

I yank him in for another hug. “Thank you.”

He claps me on the back. “You’ve got this. Now go. Hold Hannah’s hand and soak in every second.” Head bowed, he swipes at his nose with a knuckle. “Greatest fucking moment of my life.” He shakes his head. “Fuck, I can’t even say that. But it’s definitely tied with the moment Josie was officially ours. And the day I brought Scar home. When Bray called me dad for the first time. And when Ava saidI do.”

“Fuck, we’re just a bunch of softies aren’t we?” I say on a laugh.

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