Page 169 of On The Edge
“Please, I need to see. I want to see the end.” My stomach twists into another fucking painful knot and it takes my breath away.
“Melody, they’re going to be so pissed,” Paul argues quickly as he pulls his headset off so it hangs around his neck.
“I don’t care!” I shout, grabbing the hand Paul’s offering and squeezing through the pain. “My water hasn’t broken, I’m staying.”
“Melody.” Paul shakes his head. “You’re bat-shit crazy.”
“My heart belongs to you/ I’ll give it to you each and every time/ And show you forever that I’m yours.”Reis sings out the last line of the song and my heart clenches.
I’m so unbelievably proud of them.
Adam’s final crash of the cymbals rings out as he stands up quickly, running down the stairs of the scaffolding that holds him and the kit higher in the air. Kai and Markus continue to play the final slower, trailing ending of the measures. My eyes catch on the matching chains they wear over their shirts andthe wedding bands I had made specially for them glinting in the light. Reis sings softly, his low voice hauntingly beautiful and I can’t help but smile at the wedding band on his finger, too.
“Echo,” Adam’s voice reaches my ears and I see him running towards me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong!” I answer quickly, the smile on my face quickly turning to a grimace as a contraction rips through me again, but so much stronger.
“Yeah, I don’t—” His words are cut off as a splashing sound is heard in the lull between the song ending and the crowd roaring. Both Adam and Paul look down and immediately jump into action. Adam hands me to Paul softly, running out on stage, waving and bowing like the others and telling them what happened. Paul pulls me back, walking me slowly towards the exit.
“I need to change my clothes,” I groan softly, my mind not really wrapping around what’s happening.
“I’m sure the guys have it taken care of.” Paul nods, his hand in mine as I hobble out of the stage area.
“Melody!” Kai roars, his boots thudding through the hallway, reaching me before the rest of the guys can and taking my weight from Paul. “Thank you, man. We owe you one.”
“I’ve got all the stuff on this end, just make sure she and that baby are okay. Congratulations, you guys!” Paul boasts quickly with a big smile on his face and a wink at me, before putting his headset back on and running back to go coordinate pack up and the end. “If you leave now, you should beat any of the patrons. The SUV and security are ready and out back. Do you guys need anything?”
Another contraction surges, nearly bringing me to my knees, but Kai’s grip on me keeps me upright. Markus comes to my other side and wraps his arm around my other side.
“Let me help you, baby,” he urges quietly.
“Can you get all our stuff backstage packed up and sent back to the apartment? Fuck, the bags, the bags for the hospital. They’re right by the front door.” Reis is walking quickly, running his hands through his sweaty hair.
“Fuck the bags!” I say through clenched teeth. “We’ll figure it out when we get there! This fucking hurts,” I whine and lean into their hold.
“I know, I know, baby, you’re doing so good,” Markus says soothingly in my ear, tightening his grip on my arm. “We’re almost to the car.”
The contraction eases up slightly and I pick up the pace. Sweat covers my forehead and makes my hair stick to my neck.
“I thought that the midwife said that the first kid always was a long labor,” I moan breathlessly. If this is how it’s going to be, I’m getting an epidural. Fuck that ‘natural’ shit.
Give me the drugs.
“Well, he just wants to meet us,” Kai grunts as I grip his hand tighter as the beginning of a contraction starts up again. “Guys, you might run ahead and have the car running.” He gestures with his head for Reis and Adam to run, and they do. We’re close enough that I can hear the engine roar to life just as the contraction lessens.
They’re strong but not consistent. Good, maybe that means I have time.
“Come on, Echo, let’s go have our baby,” Adam praises as soon as I’m close enough to take his outstretched hand.
“We’re gonna be daddies soon!” Reis cries excitedly, helping me into the back of the car but I fall back against him slightly as a stronger contraction seizes my belly.
“Oh my god,” I grit my teeth and grip the door so tightly my knuckles turn white.
“Come on, Mel, we have to go. We can’t have our baby out here.” Reis holds me securely, maneuvering my body into thebackseat. Markus is already in and helping pull me into the middle seat. Kai’s in the backseat trying to help as much as he can.
“Come on, Sync, you’re so fucking strong. Let’s get the hospital.”
FIFTY-THREE
