Page 95 of Maverick

Willow

My life still didn’tseem real. Everything was perfect. It was a year later and Maverick and I were still madly in love.

We had a beautiful wedding in May and found out we were pregnant at the end of June. The Crawford genes had struck and we were pregnant with twins; a boy and girl.

Maverick worked hard to convert the upstairs of the home into two nurseries for the babies.

Our girls room was white with light pink accents. We stayed with neutral colors and everything was handmade with wood right from our backyard.

Our boys room was white with dark green accents. Similar to our girls’ room, everything else was neutral colors and handmade.

My studio was still going strong and I was heading down there to teach another class. Orion hopped in the SUV and we turned up the radio as we flew down the road.

I started to have some pain in my stomach but brushed it off as some Braxton Hicks. Doctor Tickner had warned me about them and I was getting them more frequently now that we were nearing the end.

I was just over seven months along and knew we had plenty of time before our beautiful babies arrived in this world. We pulled onto Main Street and parked right in front of my studio.

Lilah was waiting out front with Colton and Knox on either side of her and her new beautiful baby girl, Scarlett, wrapped on her front.

As I hopped out of the SUV, a sharp pain spread across my stomach. Orion was instantly by my side and Lilah hurried over. “Willow! Are you okay?”

I nodded as the pain started to go away. “Yeah, yeah. These Braxton Hicks are just unreal. Come on, let’s get inside and set up for class.”

Orion helped me up the stairs and into the studio. My new students started to fill their seats as Lilah and I grabbed everything I would need for the art lesson.

Colton and Knox were coloring on the chalk wall and Orion was close to my side. He kept one eye on them at all times though. Ever since we got pregnant, Orion was extra cautious with me.

He never left my side and made sure he was always touching me. Today, he was super clingy. I patted him on the head as I walked back to my office to grab my notepad.

“It’s okay, boy. We’re gonna be just-”

Another sharp pain shot through my stomach and I bent over and placed my hand on the wall to steady myself.

I carefully walked into my office and slumped onto the loveseat. I felt sick to my stomach and laid my head back. Taking a few deep breaths, I was able to sit up and reach in my pocket for my phone.

Orion ran out of the office as I dialed Maverick’s number. He picked up on the very first ring. “Everything okay, baby?”

I took a few deep breaths, “Uhh...well I think I may be in labor. But it’s early so I don’t think I am. But then again, we are pregnant with twins so this can be pretty normal. But don’t-” Another sharp pain shot across my lower back and it felt like I peed my pants. “Oh fuck!”

Maverick was still on the other end as Lilah rushed into the office with Orion. “Well, I just peed my pants, Mav. So maybe you should bring me a new pair of yoga pants.”

Lilah came out of nowhere and grabbed the phone, putting it on speaker. “Get to the hospital as soon as you can. Willow is in labor. She didn’t pee her pants, that was her water breaking.”

Colton and Knox were standing in the doorway as Lilah bent down and brushed my matted wet hair out of my face. I was sweating so bad.

“Listen, sweetheart. You’re in labor. Let’s get you to the car. Bambi is on her way to watch the boys. Come on now.”

Lilah helped me up and another crack of pain hit me. “Oh fuck! Oh god, Lilah. I can’t do this.”

“Yes, you can! You can do this, Willow. Come on, babe. Doctor Tickner is waiting for you. Amanda is getting the room all set up. You can do this.”

Lilah helped me out to the hallway and Bambi came running toward us. “Oh my God! It’s happening! Come on boys, let’s go play and then we’ll visit when the babies are here. Good luck, Willow! I love you all so much!”

Lilah quickly transferred Scarlett and her wrap over to Bambi. She got me to her SUV and opened the passenger front door. Orion hopped in the seat and sat right on the middle console. Lilah shut the door and ran to the drivers’ side.

“Okay, girl. Just keep taking deep breaths. You are going to do amazing. Your body was made for this. You have a great support team behind you.”

I just nodded my head and tried to breathe. The pain was unreal and I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it to the Medical Center.

---