Page 93 of Your Second Chance
I chuckled, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. “I reckon they did.”
She stopped at one of the stalls, her eyes lighting up as she picked up a red flower. “I like these.”
“They’re beautiful,” I said, though my gaze was fixed on her, and I wasn’t talking about the flowers.
“This reminded me of the baby blanket.”
Without hesitation, I signaled to the shop lady, catching her attention. “A dozen of these, please.” I nodded toward the flowers Nova had chosen.
Nova glanced at me, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but her lips curled into a small, grateful smile.
We strolled down the market, the scents of fresh flowers and baked goods filling the crisp air. I glanced at her, her hand still warm in mine. “Fancy grabbing a bite to eat?”
She shook her head with a soft smile. “No, I want to go home.”
She’d been on her feet all morning, and I knew how much it was starting to take its toll. When we reached the car, I opened the boot and carefully placed the flowers inside before circling around to her side.
She stood by the door, her expression off. Something wasn’t right.
I frowned as I reached for the handle. “What’s wrong?”
She didn’t answer immediately, her gaze fixed on the ground. I followed her line of sight, my stomach flipping when I saw the small puddle beneath her feet.
Her breath hitched as she looked at me, her voice trembling. “I think... I think my water broke.”
Inside, I was panicking, but I did my best to keep my face calm as Nova fumbled for her phone.
“Let me call Luna,” she said hurriedly, her voice shaking. “She’ll take me to the hospital. I think she’s out of her class by now.”
I stared at her for a moment, then gently grabbed her arm, grounding us both. “Love. It’ll be okay. I’m here. I’ll take you. Call Luna if you want to, but I’m also coming.”
Her eyes welled up with tears, her voice cracking. “I don’t want you to be there while I push a human out of me. You’ll never look at me the same.”
“You’re right.” I brushed a tear from her cheek. “I won’t. I’ll see a strong, beautiful, tough woman.”
“No... my vagina,” she whisper-yelled, her voice full of anguish as more tears fell.
I couldn’t help it—I laughed, a deep, comforting sound. “Come on.” I wrapped an arm around her and guided her gently to the car. “We’re going.”
35
ollie
Inside, I was a wreck. I gripped the steering wheel tighter than I should have as I navigated the streets to the hospital. Every red light was like an eternity, every second that passed stretched unbearably long. My heart raced, my mind a frantic mess, but I kept glancing at Nova, trying to seem calm for her sake.
When we pulled up to the hospital, I parked near the maternity and birthing ward, barely remembering to shut off the engine. I rushed around to her side, opening the door as she cried out.
“My stomach,” she whimpered, her voice tight with pain as she winced and reached for me.
“You’re doing so good,” I murmured, steadying her as I helped her out of the car, though my voice felt inadequate, like it could never truly reassure her.
Her contractions were coming faster, her breathing shallow as she gripped my arm for support. My pulse thundered in my ears as I tried to guide her as gently as possible, every step making it clear that this was happening.
She was about to give birth to another man’s baby—a fact I couldn’t ignore, no matter how much I wished I could. I lookedat her, her face etched with pain and determination, and I knew it didn’t matter.
This wasn’t about biology. This wasn’t about her ex. This was about Nova, about the strength she carried despite everything she’d been through, about the life she was about to bring into the world.
I tightened my grip on her as another contraction hit, her wince pulling at my heart.
