Page 159 of Iris
My chest is so tight, it’s getting harder to breathe.
Stephan isn’t just scared, he’s absolutely terrified. Even Mari’s magic calming power isn’t touching him.
“Mr. Ashford,” the male EMT in front of Violet says, putting away his stethoscope. “Can I speak to you?”
Violet jerks up, her hand almost crushing mine as she struggles to sit up. Her pale cheeks flare with color. “No—what is it? Please?—”
“Violet,” Mom says, a note of steel behind her soothing tone to my sister, “don’t stress yourself.” Then she turns and grabs Stephan’s arm to stop him from falling over. “Whatever it is, you can say it in front of my daughter.”
Stephan’s forehead’s sweaty, eyes darting, and it’s so akin to Vi’s panic attacks I get it.
“Is the baby okay?” I ask.
“My mate,” Stephan pushes out, “is she?—”
“She’s good, Stephan,” Mari says, “look at her.”
“You can tell us all,” Mom says, crossing her arms. “We’re family.”
The Beta looks annoyed as the other packs up her equipment, but she leans closer to Violet and whispers, “You’re going to befine, Mama, and so is baby. But we’re going to want to take you in.”
“Could just be some false contractions, but her blood pressure is a little higher than we’d like, so it’s just best if we keep an eye on things,” the other one says.
Stephan rushes over to her and kisses her forehead. “You’re going to be fine.”
It sounds like he’s saying it more to convince himself than anything else.
“Oh, god,” Violet says and lets out a breath, “I didn’t mean to create such a scene.”
I snort. “Don’t be stupid. The party was just getting boring. The guests needed something new to talk about. You did them a favor.”
The door opens and Dahlia runs in to hug Vi, shoving me out of the way. All at once, the entire family crowds closer to make sure things are really okay. Quinn comes in, too.
Rue bounces on her toes. “That QB is?—”
“Saying what a great ball this is?” I ask in warning.
“She has a lot to say, as usual, but I’m gonna let her know all is dandy here.” Rue beams and kisses Vi’s cheek. “And I have the best sisters.”
The EMT personnel wait impatiently with their gurney, but Rue wrinkles her nose at them.
“You’re the star,” Rue says to Violet.
“Rue.” Heath glowers at her, but she just dances around him with a big grin.
“Don’t worry, you will be belle of the ball one day, Heather.” Quinn snorts laughter.
“Are you still here, witch?” Heath snaps at her.
“I’m going to let the QB know it’s a great ball and no baby yet.” With that, Rue pulls out her phone and darts out the door.
With one hand in mine and the other in Stephan’s, Violet looks at me. “Why can’t I go home? It was just a false alarm, and I told Stephan that, I?—”
“You’re everything to me, Princess,” he says, voice rough with emotion. “If you have to spend the rest of your pregnancy in hospital?—”
“I’ll run off with the first cute orderly,” she says and leans in to kiss him softly on the lips.
“I think I’m on Stephan’s side here,” I say. “Go to the hospital. It’ll just be overnight. A day or two, max. Better safe than sorry.”
