Page 98 of Claimed By the Cowboys
“Her contractions are almost continuous,” Clay explained. In the mirror, I watched the pair of them exchange a look of concern.
“So we need to get—sugar tits!” I hissed as a contraction, so strong it made me dizzy and nauseated hit me.
Dakota came to the other side of me, his body mirroring Clay’s. “I think you’re close, very close. We need to call someone.”
“My water hasn’t even broken yet!” I growled, resting my forehead on the cool porcelain of the sink.
Clay met my eyes, his face serious. “Duchess, are you sure about that? The nest is soaked.”
I gaped at him. Surely that didn’t mean…? “I just needed to pee and…” My words drifted, realizing that I hadn’t been able to stop the subtle leak.Oh shit, did my water actually break? And the contractions were way worse after that…
“My everything hurts,” I whined pitifully. We needed to get to the birthing center immediately.
“Is it all right if I take a look?” Dakota asked softly, his hand on the small of my back as I rocked and swayed because staying still felt horrible.
“This is so embarrassing. It’s been like what, an hour or so of labor? I can’t possibly be there already. I’m supposed to have time,” I mumbled, throwing my head back.
“Just let me see what’s going on, okay? We’ll call the doctor and let him know.” Offering a small smile, Dakota helped me through another contraction as we shuffled over to the bed. He needed to take a look, sure, but lying on my back like that was literally the worst. There was so much pressure on my nerves, and as he reached his hand up there to get an idea of how things were progressing, it took everything I had not to smack Dakota for touching me.
“I hate to say this, but this baby is coming, Piper. You’re really dilated, and I can feel hair if I reach up there at your cervix.”
My eyes were probably bulging with how wide they were. “Here? No. No way. I am giving birth at the nice, pretty, andcleanbirthing center!” I hissed.
Dakota smiled sympathetically, shaking his head before looking at Clay. “Towels, baby blankets, olive oil, a couple of big bowls, ice water washcloths, and clean sheets. Find the others.”
Clay leaned forward, kissing the top of my head. “We’re with you, duchess. Give me two minutes to get all the stuff and the others. I’ll be right back.”
“Do you feel the need to push yet?” Dakota asked as he knelt next to me, rubbing my back.
“Pressure. Just a lot of pressure,” I whined. “I don’t wanna do this. Not here.”
“Omega.” Dakota met my eyes, compassionate yet firm. “I love you more than anything, okay? But you don’t have a choice.”
I whined, hardly able to catch my breath as the next contraction hit. It was everywhere, inescapable, and all I wanted to do was get away from the discomfort. It was so overwhelming.
The room was suddenly filled with everyone. There were new sheets on the bed and several towels and blankets set nearby for whenever we needed them. I was incredibly hot, and Clay helped me get the shirt off. I didn’t give a single flying fuck that I wasnaked with everything hanging out. Hell, I didn’t even care that every other word out of me right now was a curse.
“You’re doing great, hun,” Dakota murmured, staying close as I tried to drown out everything behind the sound of my breathing.
“We’re having a baby?” Zeke asked excitedly.
“Don’t sound so chipper,” I growled.
Zeke only chuckled, and I was ready to punch him before he became my favorite person on the planet as he pressed a cold washcloth to my forehead.
“I take it back. I love you.”
This was really happening, and some strange part of me was panicked about where the baby was going to go. “Is the bassinet ready? Do…do we have clothes, and?—”
I groaned, the pressure deepening as this wild sensation—like someone rolling over a nerve in my back with a tennis ball—hit. I was instantly nauseated, enough that I actually threw up on the bathroom floor.
“Oh, baby.” Dakota whisked it all away, cleaning it up before I even realized it. “You’re okay. That’s really normal.”
Montana followed everyone in, his face serious but calm. “I called Doc. He’ll be here in twenty minutes. He was grumpy that I woke him, but before the call was over, he was already heading to his truck.”
Another contraction hit. The guys surrounded me, Zeke joining Dakota on the floor, spreading out some clean towels while I was flanked by Clay and Montana.
“I’m getting used to country living, but not enough to give birth on a ranch! I need a proper medical facility.”
