Page 63 of Never To Forever

“You’re not—” I start, but my voice cracks. “You’re not in labor?”

Her brow furrows, and then her eyes widen in realization. “Oh, no! Garrett, no. I’m not in labor.” She stands up quickly, placing a hand on my arm. “It’s Haven. She’s the one in labor. I’ve been here with her.”

I stagger back a step, running a hand over my face as embarrassment washes over me. “I thought—Christian called—and it was static—and I heard your name—and labor—and?—”

Marie’s expression softens, a flicker of concern in her eyes.

“You thought it was me,” she finishes, her voice gentle.

I feel like a complete idiot, but also overwhelmingly relieved. “I was terrified. I thought something had happened to you. To the baby.”

Her hand squeezes my arm, grounding me. “I’m okay. I promise.”

We just stand and stare at each other. I’m overwhelmed with everything I feel for this woman. When I thought she and the baby were in trouble, it was like my whole world was falling apart. Imagining my life without her… it shook me to my core.

I can’t be without her. Marie is everything to me.

Clearing my throat, I murmur, “Marie, I…”

The doors to the maternity ward suddenly burst open, interrupting me, and Christian rushes in, wild-eyed. His tie is askew, his hair sticking up, and his face is flushed with worry. The instant he spots Marie and me, his shoulders sag in visible relief.

“Did I miss it?” he asks, his voice tight with panic as he jogs toward us.

Marie offers him a reassuring smile. “No, you made it. Haven’s still in labor.”

“Thank God.” He presses his hands to his knees, catching his breath. Then he straightens and looks at me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Garrett. Thanks for being here.”

I feel a pang of guilt for my earlier panic and misunderstanding. “Of course. I wouldn’t let her do this alone.”

Christian gives me a small, grateful smile before turning to Marie. “How’s she doing? Is she okay?”

“She’s doing great. The nurses say everything’s progressing normally. She’s a little early, but they’re not worried.”

Christian exhales deeply, muttering, “Thank God,” again under his breath. Then he glances at the door leading to the delivery rooms. “Can I see her?”

Marie points down the hallway. “She’s down in room 304. You should be able to get in when you tell them you’re the father.”

“All right, I’ll check back in with you guys later.” Christian dashes off down the hall and Marie and I are alone again. I look back at her, but her brow is furrowed, and she’s clearly distracted by everything else going on. I swallow back the words I was going to say to her and tell myself to wait. Now’s not the time.

So we wait.

The minutes stretch into an hour, then two. I pace the small waiting room while Marie sits quietly nearby, her hands rubbing her belly absently as she stares down the hallway toward Haven’s room.

Finally, a nurse appears, and I stop moving, my heart in my throat.

“Miss Green and Mr. Young?” she asks, looking between us.

I nod. “Yes, that’s us. Any news?”

The nurse smiles. “Mrs. Tallow has given birth to a healthy baby girl, and would like you two to come back and meet her.”

Warm floods me and I stare at her, stunned.

Marie stands and comes up to my side, taking my arm. “Let’s go see your new niece.”

I let her lead me down the hall behind the nurse and we get to Haven’s room. When we get inside, the scene before us stops me in my tracks. Haven is sitting up in the hospital bed, her face flushed but glowing with happiness. Christian is beside her, cradling a tiny bundle in his arms. He looks up as we enter, his face alight with pride.

“She’s perfect,” he says, looking up at us, his voice thick with emotion.

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