by G. Bailey
"Our baby is coming," she whispers.
"I know, baby," I say, kissing her forehead when she suddenly holds her stomach in pain and screams.
"Wait, I'm coming," I hear Izzy say behind me, followed by a thump as she trips over something.
"No chance, you’re wasted, Izzy. It's sober up time for you before I'm taking you to the hospital later," Blake says, and I agree with him.
"I will start my car. Allie, you open the doors for Seb," Harley shouts, getting his keys out of the bowl by the door.
"Someone grab the bag out of my boot would you? The car is open," I shout, unlocking the car with my keys in my pocket when I get outside. Maisy doesn’t say anything as we all run around sorting things out.
"Ah, fucking hell, that hurt," Maisy screams, holding onto my neck.
I don’t complain when her nails dig into my neck, enough that I'll likely have marks. She can hurt me as much as she wants if it makes her feel better.
"We will be at the hospital soon, and they have drugs," I tell her, having no idea what else to say.
I slide into Harley's car, and Allie shuts the door behind me. Elliot moves into the seat next to me, and Allie slides into the front seat, leaning back to hold onto Maisy’s hand after doing her seatbelt up.
"You’re doing great, Maisybear," she says as Maisy screams again.
Harley starts the car, and we drive to the hospital.
"Ah, it really hurts," Maisy screams again, and I feel my jeans getting soaked.
I panic when I feel the warm blood on my hand, there’s no way that’s water. I pull up my hand behind Maisy and see it covered in blood to make sure. Maisy doesn't see, but Allie does, going pale. She whispers to Harley, and I feel the car speed up.
"You’re doing great. I love you, baby." I kiss her forehead, freaking out about the blood.
"Call the hospital and tell them we are on the way, and that Maisy is bleeding a lot, Elliot," I tell my twin, who looks as worried as all of us.
I don’t like saying it out loud because I know it will scare her. I feel her tense, but she screams with what must be another contraction. That can't be normal. The next ten minutes to the hospital are the worst of my life. All I can think about is how I can’t lose her or the baby. I'll do anything to make sure I don’t.
I lift her out of the car when Allie opens it for us. I place her on the gurney that is ready for us, with midwives and a doctor standing around it. We are quickly taken in, and my brothers wait outside while Allie comes in with me. I'm covered in blood, and I must look terrible by the way the nurses are staring at me.
"Okay, Maisy, I'm going to check you now," the doctor says, and I hold Maisy’s hand as they do the examination.
Maisy screams, and I see more blood appear, the white bed sheets turning red. She looks so pale, and Allie is pacing by the door.
"Maisy, listen to me. No pushing your baby out even if you want to. We need to do an emergency c-section, you’re haemorrhaging badly, Maisy," the doctor tells her.
She whispers, “Just save my baby boy, please.”
The sound of her breathless plea breaks my heart, and I hear Allie crying by the door.
“I will do everything in my power to save you both,” the doctor tells her.
The next thing I know, Maisy is being taken out of the room, and I'm told I have to wait in here. Allie has to hold me back when they tell me I can’t follow and that they will bring the baby out. I vaguely hear Allie making sure that we are told of anything that happens.
I fall to the floor holding my hands to my face because I can’t believe this has happened.
"They will both be fine, she is strong. I'm going to get the boys. We need the family," Allie says, and I don't move.
“Brother, she is a King already, and she will make it through this. Maisy and your son need you to be strong,” Harley says to me. I can see him crouched on the floor in front of me.
“You’re right,” I say as I realise I can’t break down now.
"I brought some clothes from the car," Harley says as I stand. I glance at the pile and take them to the bathroom to change. It's some jogger bottoms and a white top that I know are Harley’s from the gym.
None of us say anything while we wait in the room for the next half an hour. Allie holds my hand, which helps in a way. Elliot sits close to Allie on the floor, I swear he is holding her hand, but I don’t check. Harley is pacing the room by the window, sending texts to the rest of our family, I think.
The door opens, and I jump to my feet to see a midwife walking in with a tiny bundle wrapped in a white blanket. I walk over, feeling myself shaking, as the midwife explains that Maisy is fine and our baby boy is looking great. She hands over my son, who is sleeping and wearing a little, white hat. He has a load of black, curly hair and looks so much like his mother with his dark eyelashes.
I don't know how long I spend standing in the doorway, holding my son as his small hand reaches out and squeezes my little finger. I know I’m crying, but I don’t care. I turn eventually, to see my brothers and Allie standing in wait.
Allie is standing holding Elliot's hand as they walk over and take turns looking at my son. Harley wipes away a few tears as he kisses my son’s head, and Allie cries into Elliot’s shoulder in happiness with a massive grin. Elliot smiles so much that I’m surprised he is the brother I’m used to.
It's over half an hour later before Maisy is brought in. They said it would be a while before she wakes up. I sit in the seat next to her, bottle feeding our hungry baby and feeling complete in a way I didn't know I could.
48
Maisy
I wake up slowly to the sound of beeping and Allie’s voice as she talks to someone. The bright room hurts my eyes as I try to open them, and the room spins a little. I try to focus on Allie's voice as she speaks, and not the urge to sleep again.
"He is so perfect, he looks so much like his mum," Allie says, sounding completely in wonder about something.
"That's true," I hear Seb say.
My heart flutters at his gravelly voice, it’s deeper than usual. I wonder who they’re talking about. I can feel wires in my hand and smell the clean smell of a hospital. I remember the party suddenly and then what happened after. I blink my eyes open with some force, and I feel the pain of a cut on my stomach as I try to sit up.
"Maisy, thank God you’re awake." Seb’s face comes into view, and I smile at him.
He looks worn out but happy, and that relaxes me a little. I'm in the hospital now, and I want to see my baby. I go to feel my stomach, somehow expecting it to have gone down after having the baby, and Seb stops my hands, holding them. I did have my baby, I think. Everything is a little confusing.
"Do you want a drink?" he asks, and I nod, feeling a little more than confused and weak. I look over to see Allie standing over a baby cot, smiling at me.
"Here, drink this, and I’ll get our son for you to meet him." Seb smiles widely at me, and I do as I'm told. The drink feels amazing as my throat is very dry, and I pull myself up to a sitting position, using the bed controls.
"Hey, take it easy," Allie says, coming to my side and holding my shaking hand.
"Seb, is he okay?" I ask as Seb walks over, gently whispering something to a bundle of white blankets in his arms.
"See for yourself." He smiles down at me. It’s a look full of love, but I can see the tears in his eyes, which he is holding back.
I carefully take my son from Seb and look down into his bright-green eyes as my baby stares up at me. He is beautiful, with lots of black hair like mine, but it curls like my dad’s, and he has my facial features. The eyes are purely Seb’s, and he is so cute as he yawns. I run a finger down his soft cheek, loving the smell of him. I’ve heard new babies smell amazing, but I didn’t believe it until now.
"He is perfect," I say, not able to stop myself from crying now.
"No tears, baby." Seb kisses me gently, and we both stare down at our little baby.
"I'm goin
g to leave you alone," Allie says, walking out. I send a grateful look her way, and she winks at me.
"What happened?" I ask, still staring at my son, trying to memorize every part of his face.
"Your waters went at the party, and then you ended up needing an emergency c-section. God, May, I thought I lost you both," he says, resting his head on my legs. I can see he is crying even if he doesn’t make a sound. I run my spare hand through his hair, ignoring the slight pain from my stomach at the movement.
"We are both okay. I'm never leaving you, my Sebby." I sob quietly.
He looks up at me before taking my small hand in his large one.
“Marry me, May. I have this whole day planned out to ask you, but I don't want to waste another day. I've loved you from the moment I saw you in school.” He takes a deep breath before he continues, and I just sit in complete shock listening to him.
“I will keep you safe and loved for the rest of your life. Will you marry me, Maisy Reynolds?" he asks, letting go of my hand as he gets down on one knee and pulls out a small, white box.
I burst into tears when I see the massive, diamond ring. Not that I needed a ring because I know my answer anyway, but it feels amazing knowing that he had this with him all the time.
"Yes, yes, of course I will marry you, Sebby," I say with a large smile, and he jumps up off the floor, sliding the ring onto my finger as soon as he can.
Seb looks happy as he kisses the ring on my finger and then slides his hand through my messed up hair. “Thank you,” he says against my lips before kissing me deeply. Our son decides to join in, with a loud cry, and we break away, chuckling.
"Hey, shush, mummy's here," I say to our son who calms at my voice, and I talk to him until he falls asleep with Seb just watching us.
"We need a name," he says with a grin as he takes our son into his arms.
"What do you think of Jacob Harley King?" I ask.
I end up with a massive kiss. I don’t remind Seb where I heard the first name from. I know Seb doesn’t have much love for my favourite film.
"Yes, hello, my little Jake. I love you and your mum, so, so much." He kisses our son on the head and grins at me as I watch them.
"I'm going to call them all in so they can hear the name together and our good news," he says, looking so proud holding our son. There’s something amazing about seeing the love of your life holding your baby, like a tiny, little gift from God, which makes you feel so at peace.
"Sounds good," I say, taking my drink off the side table and having a sip while I wait for everyone to come in. I look up as a tearful Izzy comes in the -now very cramped- room.
"Oh God, Maisy, I can't believe I was drunk when you had him, and we share a birthday as well." She hugs me briefly and goes back to Blake.
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her, and she wipes away her tears with a smile at me.
"Congratulations, he is a handsome, little dude," Blake says, and the boys all agree.
"Well, we have decided on a name and we have some other news," Seb says, holding Jake in his one arm.
"Get on with it." Luke winks at Seb, who chuckles at his brother.
"Our son is called Jake Harley King," he says, and everyone smiles at his name. Allie winks at me, and I hold in a chuckle as I shake my head.
"You didn't have to do that, but thank you," Harley says, coming over to pat Seb on the shoulder and nodding at me. I can see the tears, even if he won't show them to anyone.
"You’re like a dad to me, bro. If there is anyone I want my son to be like, it is you," Seb says.
"Let me hold him, then." Harley grins at Seb's grunt, before I hand over Jake.
"The other news is that I asked Maisy to marry me, and she said yes." At that, the room goes mad with congratulations. Allie bounces over to me, throwing her arms around me and only pulling away when I wince, my stomach still feels terrible.
"I'm so happy for you, Maisybear." She cries.
"Be my maid of honour?" I ask through my own tears.
"Yes, you crazy girl, who else would it be?" She winks, and I laugh.
"Welcome to the family, sis." Luke comes next to the bed, now holding Jake.
"Thank you," I say, offering to hold Jake, who he hands back to me.
"He is so lovely," Allie gushes.
I look over to see Seb side-hugging Elliot, who looks happy. Izzy comes over next to Allie, holding my hand up to look at the ring.
"That's a lovely ring, it's so big." She laughs, and I see Blake watching her.
"I wanted everyone to see it and know she is off limits," Seb says, coming over.
"Well, you have to be blind not to see that rock." Luke laughs.
"That's the point." Seb winks at me when I shake my head.
"Right, everyone out. Maisy needs to rest, so out we all go," Seb says loudly, and everyone says bye.
"I'm going to be outside and stay around a bit, do you need anything?" Izzy asks me.
"I would love it if you could find a midwife for me," I say to her, as I think she feels guilty about not being here at the birth.
"Okay." She grins, running out of the room while Seb smirks at me as he closes the door.
"She isn't going to leave us alone, is she?" he asks Blake, who is just leaving the room.
"No." He laughs before shutting the door.
"Want to feed him? He looks hungry. We had to feed him bottles because of how sick you were, May. I'm sorry." He frowns at my sad face.
"It doesn't matter. As long as he is here and healthy, I'm happy," I say, glancing at my little boy who is sucking on his hand, making ‘gah’ noises.
"Here you go." Sebastian hands me a pre-made bottle, and I feed my son for the first time. It's amazing, until he is sick on me as I burp him, and I laugh.
"I will need to get used to this," I say as I wipe away the sick with some wipes.
"We both will. Hand him over, and I'll change him," Seb says with such a loving look at our son, until he smells the nappy Jake has just done.
“That’s not a good smell on you, little man,” he tells Jake as he changes his nappy, and the smell is horrible.
"I feel tired, can I sleep?" I ask him.
"Yes, baby, I will wake you when the midwife comes." Seb smiles over his shoulder at me.
"I love you, Sebby," I say, feeling myself falling asleep.
The last thing I hear as I drift off is, "I love you, my May. Hey, wait! Don’t pee on me, Jake.”
49
Sebastian
"How's she doing?" Elliot asks as we walk into the hospital.
I left Izzy with Maisy so I could go and get some new clothes, and then a long-needed shower. Having your new-born pee up your shirt is not a good smell. I couldn’t even be mad because Jake looked so peaceful as he peed on me. I’ve learned a lesson from yesterday, always put the nappy on quickly.
"All good. They want to keep her in a few days, but she is up and about now. She is struggling to keep food down, but they said that's normal." I glance at my brother, wondering if now is the best time to tell him about Allie.
"Look, bro, I’ve got to tell you something," I say and stop him with my hand in the middle of some empty corridor in the hospital.
"What?" he asks, looking confused.
"Allie doesn't know about her dad. I'm sure of it. Tristan lied to you about her. I think he knew back then how you felt about her, and he clearly knew what our father was doing. I think he was just protecting her from you," I tell him.
Elliot takes a step back from me. Neither of us say anything as he processes what I have told him.
"You sure?" he asks finally, wearing an indescribable expression.
"Yeah, I'm sure, bro," I say, keeping eye contact.
"Thanks for telling me," Elliot says, before walking on like I hadn't said anything. I know it's something he has to work out on his own. He won't want to talk about it yet.
"I have another thing to ask," I say, grinning when he laughs.
"What now
?" He still is laughing as we walk toward the maternity suite.
"Be my best man?" I ask a little nervously.
"Sure." He pats my shoulder, before shaking his head laughing.
"What's funny?" I question him.
"How much you've changed in a few months. I like it." He tells me.
I grin at him as we are let into the maternity ward.
As I walk into the room, I drop my bag on the floor. Elena is holding a knife to Maisy’s throat, while Maisy looks terrified. My baby is crying, and Izzy is nowhere to be seen.
"Elena," I say gently, walking into the room.
I haven’t seen her in weeks, and I stupidly thought she had moved past her obsession with me. It’s clear from her messy hair and worn out clothes that she hasn’t been looking after herself. Her hand is shaking as she holds the knife, her other hand is in Maisy’s hair, holding her neck in place.
I hear Elliot stop outside the room, not coming inside but staying close. I know he must have heard what I said, and he knows anything Elena is doing here isn’t good.
"Seb, baby, I said I would fix things." Elena looks at me, grinning.
She looks worse than I've ever seen her. Her hair is all over the place, and I can smell her from here. She must be drunk. Looking at the red marks on her arms, I realize she might be high too. I know I need to be careful because the dagger looks very sharp, and I can’t lose Maisy.
"Okay, Elena, you and I can leave. I won't see them again," I tell her, holding up my hands as I take a step closer into the room. I’m hoping I can get her to come with me. I can’t look at Maisy when I hear her whimper. Elena shakes her head frantically and pulls Maisy’s hair, exposing more of her neck.
"No, I have to end her. She has always ruined everything. Arthur told me how to get you to myself. I planned to make you mine, and she ruined it!" she screams, it echoes around the room. Jake screams louder, clearly picking up on our distress. I grit my teeth to stop from going to him.
"Ruined what?" Maisy asks. I shake my head at her. Elena stares down at her as she speaks, giving me a chance to move a little closer.