Page 120 of Reckless

“Where’s Brady?” She’s crying andtrembling.

Ethan leans over my shoulder. “He’s coming. I just talked tohim.”

Holding her hand, I start spouting nonsense to distract her. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you lost your mucus plug. I thought sisters were supposed to tell each othereverything.”

She sniffles in between contractions. “How do you know about mucusplugs?”

“Google. I told you I was studying up on pregnancy. You’re my big sister. My only sister. You think I’m going to let you pass a beach ball through your hoo-ha and not research it?Hello. I’m trueblue.”

Ethan mumbles something behind me that sounds like, “You are,” but I don’t have time to figure it out because my sister is pushing and bawling and sweating. So muchsweating.

“Do you want to squat? I hear squatting is a thing. It’s all natural and helps get more oxygen to the baby. And, like, women drop trou in the Amazon, squat, and squirt out their babies, but you know, without the actual squirting. Hopefully.”Please, Jesus, nosquirting.

“Stop making me laugh.” She smacks me, and I flinch because she nailed that bruise on my arm, but she probably doesn’t know it because my t-shirt has three-quarter sleeves. “Yes, I want to squat. Helpme.”

It’s a tough squeeze because she’s carrying a Goliath-sized child, but I help her plant her feet on the floor and wedge her body between the seat and thedash.

Pausing, she pulls me close until we’re eye to eye. Damn, she’s strong for a pregnant lady. “Catch. The. Baby. Or.Else.”

“On my life, I’ll catch this baby.” Truer words were neverspoken.

Reaching underneath her, I ignore the weird gush of fluid and hope I don’t catch a turd instead of achild.

Holy shit. I’m really doingthis.

Another contraction makes Kat wobble, but Ethan reaches over my shoulder and steadies her. She eyes me warily. “Sorry this is sogross.”

“It is gross, but it’s okay. I love you. Just don’t forget to name the baby afterme.”

“No morejokes.”

“I can’t helpit.”

Her face goes red with another contraction. More screaming andcrying.

And then… a wet, squelchingplop.

I fumble, but only asmidge.

Because I promised mysister.

Checking between the baby’s legs, I smile through my tears—I have aniece!

And I caught her with a prayer and my bare hands like a freaking widereceiver.

I am officially abadass.

“And then Torisucked the fluid out of the baby’s mouth with a turkey baster!” my sister exclaims while she snuggles baby Annabelle Victoria Shepherd to her chest. “She wasamazing!”

Everyone in the hospital room stares at me. Brady, his parents, my parents,Ethan.

I avert my tearyeyes.

My mother crosses herself. “Gracias a Dios que estabas con tu hermana,Victoria.”

She thanks God I was with mysister.

“Yes,mija. We’re so glad you were there.” Dad gives me a weird side hug. “If anyone could do this, it’s you. You were always the brave one. Always so bold andstrong.”

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