Page 36 of A Buckeye Falls Christmas
Mallory was on her feet and by her side before Evan registered what was going on. “CeCe, talk to me,” Mallory ordered.
Before CeCe could say a word, a splash of something wet hit the floor. Misunderstanding what had happened, Evan snatched a stack of paper towels. “Careful, babe. Looks like someone spilled something.”
Mallory scoffed, still shocked at her brother’s obliviousness after all these years. “Her water just broke, you idiot.” Raising her voice, she shouted to Beckett, “Need that car now, honey!”
Beckett was on his feet, running toward the exit with Maybelle in his arms, a trail of sweet potatoes sliding down her little chin. “It’s baby time!” he said to a very confused Maybelle.
“Did you say baby time? Is CeCe okay?” Helen was on her feet, keeping pace as Beckett weaved around the other guests.
“Yes, erm, I think? I don’t know, but I’m getting the car.” He nearly toppled over his own shoes as Maybelle reached out and snatched his glasses with her chubby hand. While ordinarily the cutest thing, he didn’t have the mental bandwidth to enjoy the interaction.
“Woah there,” Harold said, holding up a hand and stopping Beckett in his tracks. “What do you need, son?”
Beckett blinked, suddenly unsure what the hell was going on. “Uh, I need to uh ...”
Mona, ever a champ in a crisis, held out her arms for the baby. “We’ve got this, Uncle Beckett.”
Harold patted his shoulder and smiled. “Between the two of us, we’ve raised three kids. Go get the car.”
Helen nodded, pushing Beckett’s other shoulder until he started to walk.
Still speechless, Beckett handed Maybelle off to Mona. He quickly kissed the baby’s cheek before placing another kiss on Mona’s cheek. “Thank you.”
Evan’s blue eyes grew wild as reality dawned. “Holy crap,” he mumbled. “Is this? Are you? Are they coming, now?” With each question, his voice rose an octave. “Now? We’re having babies,now?”
“Wow, I really thought he’d be better prepared for this,” Mallory deadpanned, bumping her brother out of the way. “Yes, Ev. Your wife is in labor.”
The ham eating contest and Jenga battles paused as the kids heard the commotion. “What’s going on?” Otis shouted to no one in particular.
Henry was more concerned with the fact that the desserts were on the buffet line, and he shrugged as he sauntered over for his fifth helping of food. Josie and Madeline’s level of concern was slightly higher, but it didn’t stop them from snatching a few cookies on their way toward the chaos.
“C’mon, buddy,” Natalie said as she took Henry by the elbow. “You guys sit tight while we get CeCe sorted out.” Natalie ushered the kids back to their booth before shouting, “I need a mayor!”
Both Anthony and Josh perked up at her request, nearly knocking each other over as they ran to the back booth.
“What’s up?” Josh asked, his eyes wide with excitement. “Do mayors deliver babies?” He rubbed his hands together, a blob of cranberry sauce falling from the cuff of his shirt.
Anthony didn’t bother hiding his responding shudder. “No, Josh. That’s not on the job description.” Turning to Natalie, he asked, “What do you need?”
“Call the highway patrol and tell them we’re speeding towards Buckeye Falls General in Beckett’s car. I don’t want anyone getting pulled over while CeCe’s in labor.”
Anthony pulled out his phone and nodded. “I’m on it.” Turning to Josh, he said, “Watch and learn, Joshy.”
Too stunned to reply, the younger man only followed Anthony as he strode away to make the calls.
Evan ran his hands through his blond hair again. His lips kept moving, but he wasn’t making a sound. “So this is really happening? I thought we had another few weeks before it was ... real?”
Mallory held CeCe steady while she found her footing. “Ev, I’d love to waste time going over the birds and the bees, but didn’t Dad cover that twenty years ago? Once your birds populate CeCe’s bees, you get a baby.” Ginny snorted beside them, but rallied quickly.
CeCe wheezed as another round of contractions hit. She bared down, gripped Evan’s arm with all her strength. “What your sister is trying to say”—she gasped for a fresh breath—“is that we’re about to have two more uninvited guests at this celebration,” CeCe said through clenched teeth.
Evan blanched, dragging his free hand down his face. “But it’s too soon.” Turning to Mallory, he asked, “It’s too soon, right?” He looked around at the other stunned faces, hoping someone would have something helpful to add to the chaos unfolding around him. “They’re going to be okay, right?” His voice finally broke, a single tear sliding down his cheek.
“Ev,” CeCe said, her tone sharp but concerned. Evan snagged her gaze and blinked, willing his heart rate to slow so he could hear through the pounding in his ears. “I need you now, okay?”
Evan nodded dumbly, his Christmas feast doing somersaults through his belly. He was about to become a dad, and he was simultaneously thrilled and petrified.Like any father ...
Mallory slid from nurse mode to sister mode, snaking her hand around Evan’s bicep and squeezing. “These babies are the bosses, little brother, and right now they’re making the rules. You need to help your wife and kids.”
