Page 80 of Blackout: Book Two

Chapter Twenty-six

Lacey

“I think my water broke,” I cry, staring between my dad and Reina. Something washes over my dad’s face and in an instant, he’s charging for me, lifting me into his arms. “Dad, what are you doing?”

“What the hell does it look like I’m doing?” he replies, his voice hoarse with emotion as he drapes my arms around his neck. Glancing over his shoulder, he begins to bark orders at Reina. “Get Danny! Call the doctor! Grab the bag!”

“Jack, calm down,” Reina chastises calmly. “We’ve got this.”

There is something reassuring about that and I let her voice repeat over and over in my head because I’m not so certain, I have this. In fact, I’m pretty sure I don’t.

“Are you having contractions?” Reina questions.

“I don’t think so,” I reply, pulling my lower lip between my teeth. I should know the answer to that. I mean in all the movies the women are always screaming and timing shit. If it wasn’t the waterfall between my legs, I wouldn’t even be sure I’m in labor. Fear engulfs me and my eyes dart nervously between the two of them. “I’m three weeks early,” I whisper.

What if something is wrong? What if all the stress I’ve put her under the last few months is the reason she’s decided to come early?

I had one job.

Keep her safe.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” my father says, forcing me out of my head. “You hear me? Everything is going to be just fine,” he assures, placing a quick kiss to my temple.

“We’re having a baby,” Reina says excitedly.

“We’re having a baby,” my dad murmurs as he stares at me with a small smile playing on his lips and tears in his eyes.

“Actually, I’m the one having the baby,” I reply, trying to hide my nerves. A million thoughts run through my head, most of them insecurities, but one thought outshines all the rest. Soon I’ll meet the little girl I prayed for. The little girl I fought for.

“My little girl,” my dad rasps, shaking his head in disbelief. “Ain’t that some shit.”

Tears well in my eyes as I stare at him. This may not how I envisioned welcoming my first child but there is still something beautiful about it.

“Are you ready for this, grandpa?”

“I was born ready,” he whispers, thumbing away one of my tears. “You’re going to be such an amazing mom and I’m so damn grateful I get to witness it.”

It’s crazy to think at the beginning of my pregnancy my father was facing a prison sentence and now he’s the one carrying me out of the house. I have to be thankful for that and focus on the blessings I’ve been given because if I let myself dwell on the fact my husband isn’t here, I’ll fall apart. In my heart, I know he’s with me.

Always with me.

With her.

With us.

It doesn’t take my father long to drive to the hospital. He blows every light and cuts off every driver doing the speed limit. In between calling my doctor and my mother, Reina yells at him and urges him to slow down while Danny sits in the back with me, holding my hand.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be an uncle,” he marvels.

“You’re going to be the best uncle ever,” I tell him.

My first contraction slices into me. Without thinking, I squeeze Danny’s hand and he yelps.

“Holy smokes,” my little brother squeals. “Lacey, you’re breaking my fingers.” Reina turns around and reaches over the console to give me her hand.

“Contraction,” I hiss, squeezing her hand.

“Breathe, Lace, in and out.”

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