by Piper Rayne
I stare at her because I know she’s wrong.
She laughs. “Go play.”
I turn and run toward Dion to beat him to the game Uncle Denver is putting together. I run faster than him and get there first, so he cries. I guess sometimes it is better being the oldest one.
Eleven
Phoenix
Calista runs off to play the game Denver is organizing with water and metal bins like they’re going to dive for apples at the fall fair.
“So what do you think? Ever want one?” Griffin wraps his arms around me and secures his hands on my stomach.
Griffin’s older than me and he hasn’t pushed, but I also don’t want him to feel as though I’m the only one who gets to make the decision. We’re in this together.
“Yeah.” I turn in his arms. “Not that I’m not happy with Maverick.”
He smiles at me and his forehead falls to mine. “I know.”
I lay my arms over his shoulders, winding my fingers through his hair. “Do you want more kids?”
“With you, absolutely, but I’d like us to find some calm in the storm that is Phoenix Bailey, performer first. I don’t say that because I want you to stop, but you have the tour coming up this summer. And I’d like us to enjoy travelling with Maverick first.”
He’s right. As strong as baby fever is in Lake Starlight these days, especially in the Bailey family, a baby will take priority over my career.
“We’re going to start laying down tracks for the new album next month.”
His eyes light up. “That we are.”
“A baby might give us some inspiration.”
“I think he or she would for sure.”
“And Maverick is only getting older. More responsible,” I say.
“That he is.” Griffin’s hands slide up my body, igniting the usual fire that burns for him.
“There’s that pesky thing called a tour coming up though.”
He cradles my cheeks in his palms. “I love you no matter if we have a baby next week, next year, in ten years, or never. Don’t rush this on my account.”
I laugh.
“I’m not some old guy, Phoenix,” he says.
“I’m well aware.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Come on. Let’s go bob for nipples.” Griffin grabs my hand and pulls.
“Okay, but let’s play our own version at home later.”
He pulls me to him and my hands land on his hard chest. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Denver stops the nipple game just as we get there and announces that the dads-to-be have to play a game of stroller derby.
“Oh, this should be fun,” Griffin says, finding us a place on the sidelines.
I’m standing in front of Griffin, wrapped in his arms, while Maverick stands in front of me with my arms wrapped around him. All three of the expectant fathers stand at the starting line, their wives next to them.
Austin stretches his arms as if this race actually means something. Wyatt’s back is slightly turned to Brooklyn, and Liam is lovingly hugging Savannah.
“Okay.” Denver raises his hands to quiet the party, something only he can do. “The rules are simple. Your wife is going to birth the baby.”
Groans commence.
“I’m kidding,” he says. “The baby is in your stroller. You’re going to run to the first station to put on some baby powder and a diaper. Once you finish, you strap your baby back in the stroller and run to station two, where you’re going to clothe the baby, including shoes.” Denver wickedly laughs. “Then you race back here and sit down to feed your baby.”
Austin cracks his knuckles, and Holly kisses him on the cheek.
Savannah and Liam are practically making out, while Brooklyn and Wyatt look like a couple who got thrown together and don’t really know each other. I really hope if I become pregnant, I’m more like Savannah. And yes, that’s the only time you’ll hear me say that.
“Everyone understand the rules?” Denver asks.
All the guys wave like, let’s get on with this.
“Cleo will whistle to sound the bell,” Denver says.
All three guys get in a running stance. I give my brother props for getting them to compete in this ridiculous event.
Cleo raises her hand, putting her two fingers in her mouth to whistle.
“Stop!” Holly steps in front of her husband.
All the rest of the Baileys move in like a swarm of bees. Grandma Dori, even with her horrible vision, points at Cleo’s hand.
Cleo lowers her hand and looks at Denver. The ring is on her right hand, so maybe it’s a promise ring? I really hope that at this stage of their relationship, Denver wasn’t a complete tool and got her a promise ring instead of an engagement ring.
“We’re engaged!” Denver says, and Cleo blushes.
“But it’s on your right hand?” I say.
Juno leaves the pack, mumbling something about weddings, and heads to the bar. Seems she’s doing her best to drown her sorrows in alcohol tonight. No judgment from me. We’ve all been there.
“We didn’t want to ruin the big day for the moms-to-be.” Cleo slides it off her right ring finger and onto her left. “I had it turned around so it only looked like a band, but it keeps twirling.”
Grandma Dori goes to hug them, and Denver clearly assumes he’ll be first, but she passes his open arms, moving right to Cleo. The crowd laughs and Denver gives everyone an expression that makes them laugh harder.
“We’re so happy for you,” Holly says. “This isn’t our day. We’re a family. Good news is good news no matter what.” Holly shoots Harley a death glare for keeping the secret about the new baby.
I think Holly’s taken it upon herself to run a support group for the poor souls who marry into the Bailey family.
After another round of hugs, Denver calls the dads-to-be back over. The three of them get ready at the starting line once more. Cleo brings her hand up to her mouth and whistles.
“Go, Liam!” Savannah jumps up, holding her stomach as she yells for Liam like a cheerleader.
Brooklyn claps for Wyatt. At least the pregnancy hasn’t made her completely heartless.
Holly’s instructing Austin what to do just like a teacher would.
Poor Liam and Wyatt. Austin’s the oldest of nine, and he’s changed diapers and clothed babies over the years. They’re at a disadvantage for sure.
Then again, Liam missed his calling as an engineer and Wyatt has proven he has the patience of a saint dealing with Brooklyn these past nine months.
“GOOOOO, LIIAAAMMM!” Savannah screams.
“Slow down the rah-rahs before you break someone’s eardrum,” I say.
Though I have to admit her overly loud and obnoxious cheering has given Liam the lead.
“Told you it’d be Liam who’d win,” Griffin whispers in my ear.
All three of the men end up on the second challenge together.
“What do they win for making fools of themselves again?” I ask.
“I guess just the title of winner,” Sedona says from next to me with a shrug.
All their dolls are dressed and put back in their strollers to make their way back over to their wives.
Savannah’s face is bright red and she’s holding her stomach with one arm as if she fears the baby might come out.
Liam is in the lead, Austin and Wyatt only footsteps behind him.
Denver’s constant play-by-play has the entire room laughing and on the edge of their seats.
Savannah’s pacing around and so loud, most of the attention has turned to her, but just as Liam is about to cross the finish line, he slips on the edge of a puddle where Savannah just stood and slides all the way into the garage door of the hangar. He hits it with a bang and we all wince.
“There’s a puddle under Aunt Savannah,” Maverick says.
I hug him because although he’s growing up so fast, he’s still a kid who has no idea what a puddle of water has to do with a pregnant woman.
/> “Your need to compete is ridiculous,” Brooklyn says to Sav.
Liam stands. “Babe, why didn’t you say anything?”
Savannah walks across the room, not waiting for him, though Liam catches up. “You won. I wasn’t going to ruin that.”
“I guarantee the smile on her face is because she’s going to be the first out of the three to have the baby,” I say.
Savannah doesn’t respond, waddling to Liam’s truck.
“She’s going to use Mom’s name as the baby’s middle name,” Austin grumbles.
“What?” Denver asks.
Austin shrugs. “We’re both having girls. We both want to honor Mom and Dad, so we agreed whoever had their baby first could use Mom’s name as her middle name.”
Liam’s truck peels out of the parking lot as we all stare at it—before we realize we need to follow. Chaos reigns as we scramble to arrange where the kids are going and who’s going with who, and it isn’t until we’re all leaving that I see Colton’s SUV driving away with Juno in the passenger seat.
Where the hell is his fiancée?
Twelve
Savannah
One thing I love about Liam is his calmness, especially when everything around him is going to shit. It’s something I gather he inherited from his father, who took care of all of the details for my parents’ funeral. He talked with catering and the funeral director, positioning us where we needed to be.
So it shouldn’t surprise me that my water broke and Liam nonchalantly walks me to the truck, helps me in, and drives to the hospital as though we’re going to the lake for a Sunday picnic.
For some reason, I thought he’d be frantic when I went into labor. Like running around searching for my suitcase and not stopping at red lights—like this one, waiting for a family of five to cross in front of us.
“Liam?” I say, channeling his calmness.
“Yeah, babe?” His fingers tap to the beat of “Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs.
“I don’t really want to have her in the truck.”
He glances over and his hand lands on my thigh. “Faster?”
“Faster,” I say.
Then he looks both ways, and after the man clears the crosswalk, Liam presses down on the gas, driving as I imagined he would.
When he pulls into the circular drive of the emergency room entrance, he leaves the truck running and comes to open my door, a little more urgency in his step but nothing too out of control. He holds me to his side as I hold my stomach and we walk into the emergency room, where he helps me into a wheelchair.
“Oh!” the nurse exclaims. “The first Bailey is here. We had bets on whether we’d see any of you tonight.”
I look at her quizzically.
Another nurse comes over. “A storm is due to come in.”
A male nurse joins our party. Does no one else need medical attention in Lake Starlight? “Plus, it’s a full moon.” He points out the window.
“Really?” Liam actually seems intrigued by this useless bit of information. “Her water broke.”
The first nurse becomes giddy with excitement. Maybe she made the winning bet that it’d be me who came in today. “Let’s get you admitted, then Liam can fill out the paperwork.”
“Thanks, Nancy,” I say, reading her name tag.
“Let me run and park the truck,” Liam says and dashes back the way we came.
“Sure thing.” She picks up the receiver of her phone. “Might want to bring extra chairs into the waiting room. Savannah Bailey just came in and her water broke,” she says into the phone.
She hangs up as Liam returns and leans on the nurses’ desk, not at all freaked out that this is happening.
We’re going to be responsible for a little person’s life. All their basic needs will rest on our shoulders. How can he just stand there, smiling and conversing about dark clouds and full moons? My chest squeezes and it feels harder to get a full breath of air.
I kick Liam, and he tears himself away from the riveting conversation as if he wants to become a meteorologist or something.
“You okay?” he asks.
I lean forward and smile at the male nurse who seems to think I invited him into our conversation. “I think this is a bad idea.”
Liam’s forehead crinkles and he bends down to my level, his hands on my thighs. “What’s a bad idea?”
“The whole baby thing. Why did we think we could do this? I change my mind.”
Liam laughs, all throaty and sexy. “A little late for that.” He touches my stomach. “She’s coming.”
“In about eighteen hours probably,” the male nurse chimes in.
“Eighteen hours? My water already broke.” I look at him as if he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
He laughs and I wish he was closer so I could kick him in the shin. “The fact that you haven’t screamed once since being here means you’re still in early labor. Even after your water breaks, it can be hours before active labor begins.”
Well shit. I guess I should’ve attended those Lamaze classes or maybe read a book. It’s not too late for the book though.
“Where’s my phone? Get my phone.”
Liam digs into my purse and hands it to me. “Want to tell everyone you’re doing okay?”
“Okay, we have a room for you, Savannah. Mike here will take you up to labor and delivery. Good luck,” Nancy says.
Mike rounds the edge of the desk and releases the brakes of my wheelchair. I search for the audiobook that was one of the top ten recommended books to read before your baby is born and press Play as we get into the elevator.
“It’s a little late for that,” Mike says and laughs.
I shoot Liam a look to say that if he laughs, he better prepare for my retaliation.
He doesn’t laugh. Smart man.
“Oh, it’s never too late,” Liam says.
I smile at my sweet husband.
Mike finally shuts up. Thankfully.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m in a robe and on the hospital bed with monitors on my belly. The nurse brings me in a cup of ice to suck on if I’m thirsty. Nurse Katie tells me I can’t eat anything.
“I never ate at the party,” I admit to Liam when she leaves the room. “Go to the vending machine and grab me a bag of chips.”
“Yeah, no.” He fiddles with the television remote, but the foot portion of my bed moves up.
“Hello? I’m pregnant and you’re supposed to be doing everything to help me right now. I’ll never survive labor without food.”
He mindlessly scans through the channels. “There’s nothing on.”
I tear the remote out of his hand. “Candy. Bar. Now.”
He smiles and his hand brushes the hair from my forehead. “Nurse Katie said no.”
“Nurse Katie isn’t my mom. She can’t tell me what to do.”
“There’s a reason you can’t eat.” He sits on the edge of the bed, and for a moment, I think about pushing him off. “We have to listen to the nurses and doctors. You wouldn’t want someone who doesn’t know the first thing about business coming into Bailey Timber and dictating how things should go.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “I don’t like you right now.”
He chuckles and kisses my cheek. “I didn’t really think you’d like me very much during labor, so that’s okay. I’ve had a lucky nine months though.”
The doctor comes in. Not my doctor, mind you. A male doctor.
Nurse Katie lifts the stirrups and I sit up straighter on the bed, shutting my thighs.
“Where’s Dr. Baldwin?” I ask.
The new doctor smiles sweetly as if he totally understands why I might not be comfortable. “Unfortunately, she was on a day trip and they got caught in the storm that’s headed our way.”
“And you are?” Liam asks.
He sits on his rolling chair, Nurse Katie trying to get my legs in the stirrups. “Dr. Hinkle. I’m the doctor on call.”
Dr. Hinkle looks like he’s fresh out of me
dical school. I shake my head at Liam, but he shrugs.
“There are no other doctors available?” he asks.
“How old are you?” I ask.
Nurse Katie puts her hand on my arm. “Dr. Hinkle is a great doctor. He’s been here a while now and delivered a lot of babies.”
Nurse Katie is probably banging Dr. Hinkle.
“Sorry, it’s either me or no one.” He slides closer to where my legs should be open.
Liam leaves my side and stands at the foot of the hospital bed, his arms crossed. I allow Nurse Katie to put my feet in the stirrups, and I slide to the edge of the bed.
Dr. Hinkle looks behind him at Liam.
“Just making sure there’s no funny business because that’s mine.” Liam points between my legs.
I shake my head at him even though I’m slightly wooed that he’s protective of a male doctor seeing my hoo-ha.
Dr. Hinkle looks at me, his brown eyes wide with worry. But he does the examination and is very professional, then Nurse Katie helps me get out of the stirrups.
“You have a while to go. Sit tight, sleep if you can to conserve your energy. I’ll come and check on you in a bit.” Dr. Hinkle turns to leave.
“What’s a while?” I ask.
He circles back around. “Hours. I suggest you get some rest now.”
Liam shrugs and grabs the remote attached to my bed, pulling up a chair next to me.
I am not a patient woman and I have a feeling this is going to be the longest night of my life.
Thirteen
Holly
“Look at that lightning.” I point at the sky through Austin’s Jeep window.
“I heard the storm might be bad. Are you sure you don’t want to go home and rest?” We pull out of Lifetime Adventures along with the motorcade of Baileys.
“No. I want to be there when their daughter is born.”
I’ve loved being pregnant with my two sisters-in-law who feel more like true sisters. There’s no way I would miss this birth.