Page 118 of Wylder Ranch
“What happened?”
“My water broke.”
I’m staring at her, waiting for her to freak out, but she’s weirdly calm. Taking her hand, I guide her over to the bottom stair and check my watch because I’m now zoned in.
“Did your contractions start? Are you in pain? Are you aching?”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m always aching, Alex. I’m carrying around a kettlebell every day.”
I check my watch again. “When did your contractions begin?”
“Um. . . this morning.”
My brow drops, my gaze flicking from the time and back to Haven calmly sitting on the step and staring up at me with her innocent green eyes. “What?”
“They started this morning.”
“THIS MORNING! Haven, it’s nine o’clock.” I check my watch again. Yep. Nine. And when I glance out the windows, it’s dark. The streetlamps in Eaton Square are lit. It’sdefinitelynighttime. “How did I not know?”
“Because I didn’t tell you.”
“Haven—”
“Because you’re freaking out.” She stares at me accusatorily, so I do my best to breathe. “I was in labor with Everly for forty hours. Telling you this morning would have been pointless.”
“No, I could have—” I stop talking at her raised eyebrow. “Okay. Fine. I’m assuming you’ve been timing your contractions.”
“Still seven minutes apart.” She nods.
“And can I take you to thehospital now?”
“Yes, I think it’s time.”
It’s time. It’s time. Our baby’s coming. The most important thing that I can do is not freak out. Yet that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Haven might be all chilled, but she’s done this before. She’s grown a human, so she knows what to expect and when to expect it. I don’t. I missed it all with Everly, and while I try not to think about that too much, I’ve also spent the last nine months making sure this pregnancy is an enjoyable one for Haven.
“Okay. Don’t panic. We practiced for this. The bag’s been by the door for a week.”
Her hand reaches for mine, and she gives it a little reassuring squeeze. “I know.”
Taking a step back, I peer up toward the ceiling where the balustrade runs around the perimeter of the foyer.
“Clementine. CLEMMIE. Move your arse.”
“Babe, don’t wake up Everly.” Haven adds, “And you’ll need to tell Natalie we’re leaving.”
Fuck. I forgot about our nanny.
She’s been with us since Haven was six months pregnant, because we decided that two babies under one was not something we could handle without help. And truly, she’s been a godsend because it’s meant Everly’s schedule hasn’t been disrupted while Haven and I have been back and forth to doctor’s appointments. And when this time right here finally arrived, we wouldn’t have to worry about who’d take care of Everly for us.
I’m debating whether to sprint up the stairs and tell her myself when Clementine leans over the banister at the top of the house and takes in the scene below.
“Oh my God, is it time? Is it?”
“Yes, it’s time. Hurry up. Can you tell Natalie we’re leaving? And grab me a hoodie?” I add. Even though it’s been thirty degrees Celsius in London today, I have no idea what it’ll be like in the hospital.
As Clementine disappears, I glance back down at Haven. There’s a smile on her face, her cheeks are more rounded and pink than ever, and she looks so fucking beautiful with her enormous swollen belly that for a moment I can’t speak.
