Page 78 of Abel

“Don’t get smart now,Marrone Dolce, I know you’re in pain but your ass can still take a spanking.”

“You bet it can, it’s about to help me push a baby out, so I think I can handle it.”

“Oh, that mouth of yours is real disrespectful right now, huh? Tell you what, I’ll let it slide, for now, because you’re about to have mybambina. But after she’s here and you’re feeling better,I’ll give you two weeks, your ass is mine.” The way she sucks in air, she knows I’m not playing. “I see I have your attention, now open the door, I’m here.”

Hanging up, I park my bike and rush inside to her. I find her, hunched over the island in the kitchen, standing in a pool of water. “I’m sorry, Abel.”

“What are you apologizing for? Talking smart or the water on the floor? Because fuck the mess, my baby is coming.”

“Oh, well that’s all I was apologizing for then.” She smirks, through the pain. “Fuck, fuckkity, fuck.”

“Yeah, that mouth of yours will be put to good use after the baby gets here.” I say, scooping her into my arms.

“Be careful.”

“Have I ever hurt you by doing this?” She silently nods no. “Then there’s no need for you to worry. Let’s get you to the hospital.”

After I load her into the SUV, we take off.

The drive there takes less than ten minutes since I’m breezing through every caution light that tries to stop me. The whole way there, her hand is snuggly tucked in mine.

Every now and again she squeezes when the pain hits her, telling me the contractions seem to be far apart. I’m going off how far in between she squeezes my hand.

Pulling up to the emergency entrance, I throw the car in park and hop out. Rushing to her side, I scoop her back in my arms and carry her inside.

“My wife is in labor, we need a wheelchair and some assistance.” I say in a rush to the first person in a uniform I see.

“Okay, sir, right this way.” She says as someone magically appears with a wheelchair. Placing her down, the male nurse pushes her while we follow close behind. “We’ll need you to fill out paperwork, but that can be done later. Is she allergic to anything, on any kind of medicine we should know about?”

“Not allergic to anything, but she’s on glucocorticoids. She was diagnosed with sickle cell a couple of months ago.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that. We’ll take good care of her. We need to know the name of her OB/GYN so we-”

“Abel Iverson, nice to meet you.”

“You’re… Her doctor?” She asks, looking me up and down in total disbelief.

“I know, it’s hard to believe someone full of tattoos and this much leather can be a doctor, right?”

“No, I meant because you look like you belong to a motorcycle gang or something.”

“The Anarchy Saints.”

“Wicked, my brother is in one, but I haven’t spoken to him in so long, I have no idea who he’s with.”

“It happens, what’s his name?”

“Jeremy Daigle, but he goes by some stupid ass nickname that I don’t even care to remember. Enough about that, let’s get your wife situated. You need to suit up and get ready to deliver your baby.” She says. I hear the words coming from her mouth, but I can’t get past the fact that she said her brother is in a motorcycle club and goes by a nickname. Some of us do, but not everyone, and I’ll have to find out who he is.

“Yes, I’ll need a labor and delivery nurse or two. Once she’s dressed and ready for me, I’ll check to see how far she’s dilated. The contractions seem to be about ten minutes or so apart, but her water has already broken.”

“Yes, doctor. You go get ready, I’ll meet you there.” She says.

“Hey, what’s your name?” With everything going on, I forgot to ask sooner.

“It’s Sadie.” She smiles. At first, it appeared to be friendly. When she goes to turn away, it falters, making me wonder what that’s about.

I don’t have time to worry about it right now. I turn just in time to see them wheel myMarrone Dolceaway, not giving her so much as a goodbye because this is just an I’ll see you later.

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