Page 146 of Toxic Salvation
“Honey?” Mom calls from across the table. “Was that what I think it was?”
“What do you think it was?” Osip asks.
I turn to him with a sheepish grin. “I might be in labor.”
“What?!” Kovan snarls in my ear. “Since when?”
“Contractions started this morning. They’re getting closer together, but I still have time. We can sit down and have?—”
“Osip, Pavel,” Kovan barks, “bring the car around. We’re going to the hospital.”
“It’s too early, Kovan!”
He ignores me completely. “Let’s go. There’s no time to waste.”
I sigh. This isn’t worth fighting about. I hold my arms out to Luka, and he runs into them.
“It’s showtime,” he whispers.
I laugh and kiss his forehead. “It’s showtime, baby.”
I’m about to make the rounds and say goodbye to everyone when Kovan literally sweeps me off my feet.
“Kovan! What are you doing?”
“You’re in labor!” His eyes are wild with panic. “There’s no time for a goodbye tour. We’re going to the hospital. Now.”
“I can walk!”
“No. I’m carrying you.”
I decide not to argue. I wrap my arms around his neck and wave goodbye to everyone else over his shoulder.
“Merry Christmas!” I call out as he carries me toward the door.
Showtime, indeed.
49
KOVAN
“I can’t believe you were in labor all morning and didn’t say a word.”
Vesper sits on the edge of the hospital bed in a pale blue gown, her bare legs swinging freely. Even now, with sweat beading at her hairline and her face flushed from contractions, she’s beautiful. How does she manage that?
“Mm,” she hums, closing her eyes.
I jump forward. “Another contraction?”
“No.” Her eyes stay closed. “I’m ignoring you.”
“What?”
“You’ve spent thirty minutes lecturing me. It's hard to focus on giving birth when you’re being scolded.”
“I wasn’t lecturing you.”
She opens her eyes and gives me a look. “You called me irresponsible. Twice. And insane once.”
