Page 103 of As The Shifter World Turns

“Do something please,” I begged. “My belly’s cramping.”

“Let me get you back to bed,” Neil said.

“I think I want to walk.” Yeah, pacing was good and Neil followed me as if he was my own personal shadow.

Neil’s phone rang. “It’s Ryder.” Micah must have called him. “Yeah, okay.” Neil put the phone down. “Ryder’s five minutes from here. Says he can drive you to the clinic if Micah is stuck in traffic.”

“Fine” I didn't want an unknown doctor delivering my little unicorn but I had no choice. Going to a hospital for humans wasn’t an option. The pain was intense and the contractions were much closer together than what the books said they would be.Why is this happening to me?

My beast whispered,Baby. Now the little one was on the way, he was as calm as Neil and wanted to meet our son or daughter. He and my friend made a good team.

Another call. Ivor this time. Neil didn’t bother with hello but went straight to, “Yes, Archer’s in labor.” He glanced at me. “You want ice chips?”

“Why? I don’t know. Do I need them?” I panted through the pain.

“Humans often chew on them while they’re in labor.”

I didn’t give a damn about ice chips. But Neil spoke to Ivor and said, “Get some. Thanks.”

The pounding of feet on the stairs had me yell, ‘Micah?” but those footsteps were heavier than my mate’s. Neil opened the door to Daire. “I heard. What can I do?”

“Get Micah out of traffic?” Neil suggested as I wailed in the background.

“Your bicycle, Archer.” If Daire thought I was pedaling to the clinic, he was an idiot and I glared at him while gritting my teeth. “I’ll ride it and pick Micah up.”

He didn’t wait for my answer as Neil found the key for the lock, and he thundered down the stairs.

The interval between contractions was decreasing and Neil held me as my body prepared for birth. But Micah had to be here when our little one came into the world.

“It’s Micah.”

“Here?” Time had no meaning and I didn’t know how long it’d been since Daire left. There were contractions and no contractions. There was nothing else. That was my world.

Neil handed me the phone and tears spilled over my cheeks. Micah wasn'twith me and he was supposed to be. “We’re going to the clinic. Daire’s peddling and I’m on the back.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” The screeching of brakes in the background had me yelling, “What was that? Micah? Are you there?”

“Yeah. Best not to ask. Focus on your breathing.”

“Did you phone Dr. Grey?” I asked.

“I did but the signal was weak and the call cut out.”

Great. Just what I didn’t need. A doctor who was out of reach.

But listening to Micah comforted me and he talked me through the next few contractions.

Martin knocked and Neil stood in the doorway, but they lowered their voices and I couldn’t hear what they were saying. There was a lull in the cramping and I noted Neil blushed and Martin squeezed his hand. They were so cute together.

“Let me take Patch,” the man I often still thought of as soccer dad said. “Toby will love having him at our place.” Neil bundled up food, toys and the dog’s bed. One last lick on my cheek and Martin whisked my pup away.

Ivor raced in with pizza for him and Neil and a large bag of ice chips for me. Lucky me! Ryder appeared. “The car’s out front.”

“No!” I shouted as I leaned against the wall. “The baby won’t wait till I get there.”

Neil phoned Micah. “Come home. There’s no time to get to the clinic.”

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