“I’ll see you two tomorrow morning.”

He gave me one final nod before slipping out the front door. I stared after him, knowing as soon as I stepped in the bedroom, I had to deal with everything. Rick had well and truly fucking stuck his oar in and given me a fucking headache to sort out. I wished he’d never got his hands on her. Wished we’d never had that fucking conversation. I couldn’t stand it.

Stop being such a fucking coward.

I took a step towards the room. My phone rang. I dug it out of my pocket. It was Ben.

“Hey shithead.”

“Aiden, Skye is in labour,” Ben replied, sounding a little frantic.

Wait, what?

“She is?”

“Mate, I really need you here. I’m freaking the fuck out right now. Skye’s parents are on their way, but she’s screaming at me. Shit, I’m sorry, I know you’re not good with this stuff.”

“Hey, it’s fine. Where are you?”

He told me which hospital they were at and to make sure to bring Avery along. Although Skye was screaming at him at that moment, she still wanted to meet my girlfriend.

Well shit.

Time was of the essence. Walking into the bedroom, I found Avery staring out the window. She didn’t turn around at my approach. I stopped a few feet away, not wanting to encroach on her space too much. My palms twitched, wanting to wrap themselves around her waist and feel her skin on mine. I fucking missed her.

“Princess.”

“We need to talk.”

“I know.”

She shifted on her feet, wrapping her arms around herself. She was in a plain blue t-shirt and black skinny jeans which hugged her arse and made my mouth water. Fuck. She was so beautiful. So fucking perfect. And she was upset with me. How the fuck had I allowed it to get this far?

“Skye has gone into labour and Ben wants us there.”

She turned around, staring at me with wide eyes.

“Oh, oh shit. Well, let’s go then.”

I felt like shit for having to postpone our conversation, but my best friend needed me. I mean I had no fucking idea how I would be any use in this situation. I wasn’t good with babies nor screaming women. My messy relationship with Avery was evidence of that.

We both went back out into the hall, putting shoes and coats on. We didn’t talk as we rode down in the lift and got in the car. After I pulled out of the underground carpark, I reached over and took her hand, running my thumb down the back of it. I just needed to touch her. My beautiful girl who made my heart fucking sing.

“Is it far?” she asked.

“Shouldn’t take longer than twenty minutes, depends on traffic.”

“He must be freaking out if he wants you with him.”

I glanced at her. She was smiling to herself.

“I’m just doing this for him. There is no fucking way I’m going in that delivery room. I’d rather not see my best friend’s wife pushing a kid out.”

She giggled, squeezing my hand.

“How long have they been together?”

“Eight years. They got married when Ben and I left the army and before you ask, yes, I was his best man.”