Page 25 of Toxic

"I'll do it. Aren't you supposed to breathe or something?" Dante asks, digging into the diaper bag.

"Probably. But... this is too soon!" I restate then more tears fall.

He pulls a diaper out and tugs my chin toward him. "I need you to stay calm. Can you do that for me?"

I cry harder. "Yes. No. I don't know."

His orbs seer into mine. They're calm and firm, as if he's right and there's no question. "You can. You're Bridget O'Connor."

"O'Malley, you mean!"

"Sorry. Yes. Bridget O'Malley. Now do your fancy breathing. I'm moving to the other seat to change Sean, okay?"

I take a few deep breaths then nod.

"Good." He tucks my hair behind my ear. "Keep breathing."

I obey. He moves to the other seat to change Sean. When he snaps his onesie, we pull up to the emergency room. He gets out with Sean and the bag then helps me out. As soon as we get inside, they make me sit in a wheelchair and rush us to the labor and delivery floor.

"Sir, we need you to fill out your wife's paperwork," a nurse says.

"That would be me," Sean calls out behind me.

A moment of short-lived relief appears. I turn. "Thank God you're here. It's—it's too soon."

His face is full of worry, and he crouches down in front of me, placing his hand on my cheek. Sean gives me a chaste kiss, but it doesn't relieve my anxiety. And I see his fear mirroring mine, even though he's trying to hide it.

"Ma'am, we need to move you. Whoever is the father can come," the nurse states.

Sean rises. "That's me." He glances at Sean Jr.

"Don't worry. I've got him," Dante informs us.

Sean releases a nervous breath then pats Dante's back. "Thanks."

The nurse wheels me away with Sean at my side.

My labor is quick and painful. The moment Fiona comes into the world, they take her out of the room and into the neonatal intensive care unit. I demand, "Sean, go with them."

"You can't right now. We'll come get you when the baby is stable," a nurse states, leaving the room.

"Stable? What does that mean?" I cry out.

Sean shakes his head. "I'm not sure."

"Is she going to be okay?" I ask, not sure if I want to know the answer.

Sean sniffs hard, sliding his hand on my forehead. "Yeah. She's an O'Malley. She'll fight if needed."

I cry harder, and he tugs me into him. His heart thumps into my ear.

"You did good, Bridge," he murmurs, kissing the top of my head.

"I didn't. She came too early!" I sob.

He holds me tighter. "Nonsense."

"Will you go get Sean Jr.?" I ask, suddenly needing to hold my son.

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