Page 4 of Viva Wed Vegas

CHAPTERTWO

STAR

The babies are strappedto Belle and Josie, and Alina’s ass is wedged sideways in the double stroller seat with her legs hanging over the other seat. She’s clutching her stomach every time a contraction hits. At first, we tried to drag her, but the wheels kept getting stuck in the mud. So instead, Maggie and I took a side each, heaved the stroller up, and slowly began to carry it.

“Jesus, I swear your baby must weigh fifty pounds,” I wheeze. My feet sink into the mud as we go, and my back screams in pain. Josie and Belle try to help by lifting, being careful not to harm the babies currently strapped to their chests, who are busy giggling, blowing raspberries, and generally thinking this is the best day of their lives, while we are covered in mud, trying to get to the other side of that stupid fucking tree.

We eventually made it. I slipped a few times, as did Maggie. I was just grateful Alina hadn’t screamed that she wanted to push yet. We were not equipped to deal with that right now. Now that we are standing on firmer ground, I hand Maggie my phone so she could book the taxi while we all moved towards the road. The stroller rattled over the uneven ground.

“Hold tight Alina; we’re almost there,” I pant as every muscle in my body screams in protest.

“Three minutes until the car is at the end of the track,” Maggie pants.

As we near the end, I bend over, resting my hands on my knees and drawing in desperate lungfuls of air, filling my lungs.

The minivan comes to a stop, and the driver lowers his window. “I ain’t letting you in my car like that,” he says, gesturing at each of us.

I straighten as I approach the minivan, giving him a deathly glare. “You will take us. She is in labour, and we need to get to the hospital,” I state with clenched teeth.

“I don’t have to do anything; my van, my choice,” he argues.

Any patience I had disperses. My body aches, I’m tired, and now I’m beyond pissed off. I crick my neck from side to side as I lean inside through the window space into the minivan. The man’s eyes widen with fear, and I watch as he goes to hit the button to put the window back up.

“Touch that button and you will fucking die,” I growl in warning. He flinches his hand away.

“Star,” Belle hisses in shock and at my threat.

I ignore her and continue to stare down at the driver. “So, let me get this straight. You are just going to leave helpless women on the side of the road—one clearly in labour and needing emergency hospital treatment—not to mention we have two young kids with us. Do I have that right?” I ask, my voice low and threatening. He nods slowly in agreement. I inhale a slow breath, trying to calm my anger. “Open up your van and take us to the hospital, or I will hunt you down and make you choke on your own testicles,” I seethe.

He stares up at me, eyes wide. When he doesn’t move, I let out a huff and lean into the van, reaching down to unlock the doors. A loud click rings out, and I smile as the guy still continues to stare at me like a frozen statue.

I roll my eyes and slide back out, opening the door for the others to get in.

“Yes!” Maggie cheers. “Come on, let’s get you in the van.” Maggie heaves Alina to her feet, slowly shuffling her into the back of the van. I wait until everyone is in a seat before I jump in and take the passenger seat next to the driver.

“Let’s go to the hospital. Just take it steady because we’ve got babies and a woman in labour.” I clap my hands to get his attention, causing the man to jump, his eyes still on me. “What is your problem? Drive!” I bark, making him jump again.

“Er Star, look in the mirror,” Maggie states.

I pull the sun visor down and look at my reflection in the small mirror, snorting a laugh. I look like a marine on special ops. My face is almost completely covered in mud, and I can’t help but think I look like a swamp monster. There are even twigs in my hair.

“All I need now is some camouflage, and people would think I’m a marine on special operation.” I snort before I look to the guy and pat his leg, “Listen, er...” I pause, looking at his ID lanyard hanging from the mirror. “Listen Bob, I will make sure your van is cleaned. Please just get us to the hospital,” I say in a softer note.

“I, I, I don’t feel so good,” he mutters, clutching his chest.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, you better not be having a fucking heart attack on me, Bob!” I yell. He gasps, and his face begins to turn red. “Bob, I really don’t have time for this shit,” I sigh.

“What’s happening?” Maggie asks, leaning forward from the back seat. She takes one look at Bob, then her gaze swings back to me. “Oh, fuck,” she mutters.

“Help me get him in the passenger seat. I’m going to have to drive,” I state as I jump out of the van, run around to his side and yank the door open. “Slide your ass over, Bob. I will drive,” I state, shoving at him. Maggie tries pulling him as he slowly moves himself over. Sweat lines his brow, and once he’s over far enough, I squeeze into the seat. “Get in the back and buckle up!” I bark, panicked.

Maggie quickly does as I ask and slams the passenger door shut before she jumps in the back.

“Everyone, hold the fuck on. We’ve got a life trying to come into this world, and if that ain’t enough, fucking Bob is trying to leave it!” I yell over my shoulder.

“I don’t want to die!” Bob pants.

“Tell your heart that Bob, because apparently it’s got other fucking ideas,” I state as I slam my foot on the gas, speeding up the road at a high speed. Horns blaze at me as I cut them off, making me angry. “Fuck off, it’s an emergency!” I yell out the window.

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