Текст книги "Affliction"
Автор книги: River Savage
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Текущая страница: 20 (всего у книги 21 страниц)
“I will marry you if you tell them I left,” he says, which makes me laugh.
“Mr. Carter, stop asking me to marry you if I get rid of them. You’re a grown man. You tell them to leave,” Nurse Bell says, shaking her head at Jesse’s immaturity.
“I remember you,” Kadence says, coming into the conversation. “You were on when I was in here,” she observes.
“That’s where I know you from.” Jesse slaps his hand down onto his knee, like it all comes back to him. “I swear with the attitude you’ve been throwing around I thought I had fucked you once and forgot about it,” he responds, sending the poor girl’s blush to a deep red.
“Mr. Carter, I won’t say this again, you need to go back to your room.” She ignores his last remark and crosses her arms. I look at her closely and watch as she tries to hide her frustration.
“Will you take me back to my room and give me a sponge bath?” he teases, knowing she’s affected by him and trying even harder for a satisfying reaction.
“No, let's go,” she insists, coming forward and helping him out of the chair. “You shouldn’t be on your leg. You need to use the crutches,” she scolds him as they walk off back to his room.
“Bye, Holly.” He looks over his shoulder giving me a wink.
“Thanks for helping me, Jesse,” I answer back as he leaves.
“I should go, too,” Kadence says, coming to kiss my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so worried about you.” She pulls back.
“I’m good, Kadence. Thank you for coming and staying with me,” I say, knowing she has Nix waiting for her outside.
“I’ll come by tomorrow once you’re discharged.”
“She’s going to be at the clubhouse,” Sy adds, bossing me around again, only this time making the decisions himself. I don’t comment, just let him have his say, but make a mental note to talk with him later. If he thinks he is going to wrap me in bubble wrap like Nix has done with Kadence, then he better think again.
“Yes, we will be talking later,” he whispers so only I can hear. Gah, he even orders me around when I think I’m bossing him in my head.
Seriously, the man is a headache.
“Okay, say thanks to Nix,” I ignore Sy as Kadence leans forward to kiss my cheek.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks again.
“I'm fine,” I reassure her again. It's not like I don't want to tell her. I do. I want to scream it out for people to know, but something is holding me back. I need it to be just Sy and me for a small moment. I want us to get used to the news before everyone else knows.
“Okay, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She smiles and steps back. “I love you, girl.” She waves before walking out the door.
“Love you,” I reply and then turn to Sy.
“You wanted to tell her,” he accuses, coming to sit on the side of my hospital bed.
“She’s my best friend,” I defend myself.
“You're the one who wanted to keep it to us. I don't mind,” he shrugs.
“Well, I would like to tell my parents first,” I admit, knowing if we tell anyone straight away, it will be them.
“Baby, like I said, I don't mind. Now lay back. You need your rest. I don't want anything to happen to you,” he says, already fussing.
I lean back, the day catching up with me. “Sunshine,” I whisper, letting my heavy eyes blink once. Twice.
“Yeah, baby?”
“You're going to be a daddy,” I tell him just as sleep comes. I'm searching for a girl in my dreams. Something about her reminds me of someone and her laugh is so infectious I want to hear her again. As sleep takes me, the sunset comes into view and then I see her.
Keira.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Sy
“You hear back from Jackson?” I ask, packing up the shop after my last client for the day. I just finished my first day back after Jesse’s party and I’m eager to get home to see Holly.
“Yeah, they dropped the charges,” Beau says, watching me carefully.
“What the fuck?” I stop what I’m doing and look up at him and Nix.
“Nothing Jackson could do. It was out of his hands.” Nix nods but I still can’t get my head around it. The asshole attacked Holly in front of Jackson. In front of fifty witnesses.
“Don’t fuck with me,” I tell them, growing more pissed by the second.
“I’m not fuckin’ with you. Why do you think I’m here?” Nix says, resting his hip against the counter.
“The fucker almost killed my woman. Tell me how they aren’t pressing charges?”
“He pleaded out, so lesser charges were laid and he walks away with a misdemeanor and community service.” My blood is boiling in rage as I realize the asshole just got off for endangering my woman, my unborn child. My body moves on its own accord, dropping my shit and walking through the shop to the exit.
“Hold on, fucker,” Nix says, pulling me back from my exit.
“Fuck off, Nix. The fucker is getting off. Tell me you wouldn’t be fucking pissed,” I say, pulling out of his grasp.
“I am fuckin’ pissed, Sy. But going off half-cocked when he’s just been released is fuckin’ dumb. Think about it.”
“All I’m thinking about is seeing that crazy fucker hold a broken bottle up to my woman’s throat. Who’s to say he won’t give up? He’s hiding behind his family’s money, getting away with fucking everything while we have to fucking worry about the safety of our women.” I know it’s not Nix’s fault, but I can’t stop the pissed-off rant coming from my lips. Holly and I have just come back to a good space. Her dealing with the worry that this fucker could come back and mess with us is just too much.
“We keep our eyes open. We don’t leave our women alone, and if the fucker comes at us again, we do somethin’ about it. We don’t go lookin’ for trouble, Sy. We wait. If the fucker is dumb enough to make a play again, we’ll be ready and will take him down,” he says and I don’t miss his hidden promise. If Chad fucking Morre comes at us again, it doesn’t matter how above the law he is, we will take the fucker down.
“Holly and Kadence both have their restraining orders out on him. As far as I’m concerned, he fucks with us one more time, we take him. Until then, don’t get fucked up over the fucker. He will get his time,” he finishes as I start to calm down.
I don’t like it. I’d much rather head over to him and fuck him up, but that won’t get us anywhere. We need to play this out safe and make sure that if he does come for us again, we’re prepared.
“Fine, but if the time comes where this goes to the next step, it’s me who takes him. I don’t give a fuck what’s happening, I end it. You feel me?” I ask, looking at both Beau and Nix.
“We feel ya,” Nix nods.
“Good, now get the fuck out. I gotta go see my woman,” I tell them, looking at the clock on the wall.
“Fuck, always thinking with your cock,” Beau laughs, shaking his head. “Careful, you’re beginning to sound like Jesse.”
“How is he anyway?” I ask, my rage calming.
“He’s doing okay. Still refusing surgery,” Nix answers.
“Why?”
“Fucked if I know. He says he ain’t goin’ through it again. Some fucked up bullshit. But we’ll see how he goes. Can’t even ride at the moment and his parents are on his ass, naggin’ him. Anyone would think he was a teenager again.”
“You know anything about that?” I ask, remembering how his parents were riding his ass the night of his birthday.
“Won’t talk about it. Some bullshit about family loyalty; they don’t like the club life and have no problem tellin’ him.”
“Well, as far as I’m concerned, the fucker is a hero. They need to back the fuck up,” Beau says, flicking through one of the Ink Me tattoo books.
“You tell that to his dad,” Nix says, shaking his head, knowing more than I do.
“I’ll have a word with Jesse, get him to think straight. Besides he can’t ride; the fucker will be going mad,” I say, but knowing Jesse, he’d probably still try to fucking ride.
“We have a family dinner Kadence is putting on next week. We want you there,” Nix says, pushing off the counter.
“I’ll talk with Holly,” I tell him, walking around flicking off the lights.
“Wasn’t a suggestion. You be there. Kadence is worried about her and you keeping her locked up isn’t makin’ her feel better.”
“Like I said, I’ll talk to her. My main concern is Holly, not your woman,” I warn back.
“Look at you two, so fucking pussy whipped it makes me sick,” Beau accuses, coming up behind us.
“Fuck off, Beau,” we both warn while still holding each other’s gaze.
“You talk to your woman and I’ll talk to mine,” Nix compromises and I agree.
“Glad we sorted that out. Now can we quit fucking acting like pussies,” Beau adds, slapping us on the back.
“Yeah, yeah, asshole, it’ll be you one day,” Nix accuses as we follow him out.
“Never. The day you see me handing my balls to a woman is the day hell freezes over.”
“Never say never, fucker,” I tell him as I lock up the shop, realizing just how far my life has changed in the last year. Never in my wildest dreams would I see myself settling down with a woman again, my child growing in her belly. Fuck me, I didn’t even think I would let anyone in. Holly changed all that for me, changed the direction of my course, and if that had to happen with an exchange of my balls, I don’t even give a fuck. I couldn’t be happier.
“I’ll remember this day, Beau,” Nix warns, mounting his bike. “And when you start walkin’ around ball-less, we’ll all remind you how fuckin’ pussy whipped you really are,” he laughs and I join him. The fucker has no idea, and the day it comes, I can’t wait to give him shit over it.
***
“So, Mom and Dad are having a family dinner next weekend,” Holly says, resting against the counter watching me make pancakes the next morning. It’s been ten days since her concussion and finding out about the baby.
“What sort of dinner?” I turn to look over at her. I love waking up in her place, walking around her kitchen, making her pancakes while she sits on the counter chatting.
“I was hoping it could be a ‘we’re getting married, Mom and Dad, oh and you’re going to be grandparents too’ dinner. Do you think you would like to come?” she asks, looking nervous. We've held off telling her parents for the last week, with Holly wanting to wait until she was twelve weeks along. ‘The safe period,' she tells me.
“Are you asking me on a date?” I smirk, walking up and standing between her legs.
“Ha-ha, smartass,” she says, squeezing my nipple. I repay the action by pinching hers back.
“You want to come out to your mom and dad at a family dinner?” I question, starting to freak out a little. Fuck, I didn’t think this through.
“Yeah, I need them to know about my baby daddy.” She smiles big at me.
“You want to feed me to your parents,” I tease her softly.
“And my brother,” she adds.
“Oh, shit. That bullhead brother of yours?”
“Oh, he thinks that about you, too,” she smiles with a guilty smirk on her face.
“Fucking great,” I sigh, not looking forward to that meeting.
“Don’t worry. He’s found himself a new girl. He’s totally pussy whipped,” she laughs, hooking my neck in her grasp as she pulls me toward her. “Kind of like you,” she murmurs against my lips. I don’t respond to her little bite, just take the kiss deeper and pull her closer to me. She wraps her legs around my waist, her hot pussy rubbing against me.
“You think I’m pussy whipped?” I finally ask. Her eyes are glazed over, and her lips are red from our rough kiss. It’s the second time I’ve been accused in the last twenty-four hours.
“Not at all,” she sweetly replies.
“Holly, I’m not whipped,” I tell her, stepping back out of her grasp to finish breakfast.
“No, I believe you,” she says, sliding off the counter.
“What are you doing?” I ask, watching her lift her dress. She hooks her thumbs into the sides of her panties and seductively drags them down her thighs.
“Oh, nothing much, I just want to see how not pussy whipped you are.” She kicks her panties up at me and jumps back up on the kitchen counter.
“Removing your panties isn’t going to make me cave,” I tell her, catching them and bringing them to my nose to breathe in her scent.
“Did you just sniff my panties?” she laughs, watching me pocket them in the back of my pants. I shrug, going back to watching her.
“Of course you didn’t, ‘cause you’re not pussy whipped, baby,” she purrs. Her voice sexy as fuck, while her fingers trail up her pale soft thigh. Jesus.
Her legs spread giving me the perfect view of her bare pussy. She’s a temptation; I’ll give her that.
“You don’t play fair,” I admit, forcing myself not to give in. I’ve got this. She won't win.
“You know, baby. If you were pussy whipped, you wouldn’t be able to handle this right now.” She continues to tease me as her fingers dance over her lips, spreading them to show me just how wet she is. Fuck me.
A growl erupts from my throat at seeing her spread out for me.
“Are you hungry, baby?” Her raspy voice all but breaks me.
“So fucking hungry,” I reply, watching her fingers slide into where I desperately ache to sink myself.
“Then come and get something to eat, Sy,” she all but begs. She doesn’t have to ask twice. I step forward, drop to my knees, and bury my face in her sweet cunt.
Her scent invades me, intoxicating me. Her moans fill her kitchen, the cries of passion only spurring me forward. Her hands come to my head, her short nails rake along my scalp.
“Fuck, I love your tongue,” she moans, her hips riding my face. Thrust and whimper, thrust and whimper. I flick, suck and nip harder, focusing on her tiny ball of nerves.
“Yes…yes…yes,” she chants as her orgasm runs through her. I don’t relent, pushing her further into the bliss she’s living right now.
Her cries fade and her movements slow as I lazily slide my tongue up and down through her wetness.
“Again,” she demands, her voice hoarse from her screams.
“You’ve got a greedy pussy, you know that?” I voice, looking up at her sexy-as-fuck just-orgasmed look.
“Only for you,” she smirks, still in her post-euphoric state. I kiss the inside of her thigh, adjusting myself so my cock doesn’t feel like it’s straining in my jeans.
“I think you’re totally whipped over my greedy pussy,” she sasses.
“Is that what you think?”
“It’s what I know,” she shrugs.
“You know, I think you’re right. This greedy cunt is my kryptonite.”
“Well, what are we going to do about that, Superman?”
“Superman?” I laugh at her joke. “How about SuperSy,” I say and I hold back my snort as I take her naked ass and throw her over my shoulder.
Fuck me, I am pussy whipped.
***
“Are you scared?” her voice breaks through the darkness of our room later that night.
“I’m scared of your dad,” I joke, knowing she’s asking about being a father, but trying to make light of it.
“You should be. He will so take you on,” she giggles, but I hear the concern in her voice.
“I’m a little nervous,” I answer truthfully. As much as I wanted this, now that I’ve had time to let it sink in, my stress levels are getting a workout.
“Me too,” she admits, running her hand along her flat stomach. “I don’t know what it’s like for you, Sy, and I don’t ever want to know, but this fear that something is going to go wrong is eating me up.” She turns her head to look at me and even if I can't see her expression against the inky night, I know what I would be looking at.
“You don’t need to be afraid, Holly.” I try my best to calm her nerves.
“How can you say that? After everything you and I have been through?”
“I can say that because I have faith. I trust we are going to be okay. That nothing is going to happen to our child, and I have to believe that. I have to believe in the good.”
“It’s just hard when it has been taken away from us before,” she admits and I know what she’s saying. I understand it, but we can’t live through this pregnancy worrying about what ifs. If we have a second chance at it, we need to take it. We shouldn’t be getting lost in something we can’t control. I know it’s easier said than done, but we have to try, for our baby’s sake.
“Sweetheart, everything good in life involves some level of risk. You have to be prepared to take a risk to achieve an amazing end. I can't promise you nothing bad is going to happen, Holly. I can't do that, but I can promise you right now if something does happen, I will do everything in my power to fight to make it right, but have some faith, baby. Have faith that we have a healthy little person growing inside of you. Know, when she arrives, she is going to be more than perfect; and believe you are going to be an incredible mother.” I kiss her and run my hand over her belly.
“She?” she asks.
“Or he. I’d like to think Keira would like a little sister,” I say, but I have no problem either way, as long as our baby is healthy.
“That would be nice,” she smiles. “I love you, Sy.” Her hand comes over mine, connecting us as a family.
“I love you, too, baby.”
***
“Catch me.”
“Keira?” I call when I hear her high-pitched laugh echoing through the field.
“Daddy, you came,” she replies like every time she has come to me, but something is different this time.
“You’re here?” I whisper, looking into her dark brown eyes.
“Look at that sunset, Daddy,” she smiles, the breeze carrying the sweet sound of her voice all around me.
“I miss you,” I say, wishing this moment was real. “Don’t leave me again,” I plead, hoping I can hold her again, hold her forever.
“You have to look after my baby brother, Daddy,” she laughs, shaking her head, swaying her dark curls from side to side.
“Brother?” I ask as she slowly walks away from me.
“Wait, Keira. Wait for me,” I panic when I can't get to her. Why can’t I ever reach her?
“Bye, Daddy,” she murmurs. Only this time I know it’s the last time she’ll visit me. She stands silhouetted against all the colors of the universe as the afternoon sun sets behind her. Her favorite place.
“Bye, baby.”
EPILOGUE
Holly
“Why do we even have to be here?” Jesse asks, coming through the kitchen still limping on his bad leg. It’s been four months since his birthday and his foot is still not back to full movement. After holding off for four weeks, the boys were able to convince him to have the surgery to try and repair some of the damage done when he fell. He did say earlier he’s looking at another surgery to fix some scar tissue that could be messing around with it. Regardless, he’s been cranky, moody and not the Jesse we all know and adore.
“‘Cause you're gonna be an uncle, dickhead,” Sy laughs at his expense.
“Where are all the chicks?” he sulks, looking out over the back decking where the current party is being held.
“Out the back,” I say, pointing to all the women who have turned up for Kadence’s baby shower.
“No, where are all the sexy single women? Not the Stepford moms, or the pregnant women.” He looks out, trying to find someone he can flirt with.
“Keep it in your pants, Jesse,” Nix scolds from his spot on the sofa. Even though it’s Kadence’s baby shower, all the guys are here watching the game. Being so close to her due date and the doctor putting her on bed rest due to her scarring, Nix refused to leave her alone for the event. They’ve been told to stay inside and not to bother the festivities happening outside. So far they’ve behaved, the game keeping their attention.
“This blows,” Jesse groans as he gets another beer from the fridge and hobbles back to the living area.
“You okay, baby?” Sy asks, coming up behind me as I finish the final touches to the baby shower cake I made for Kadence.
“I am.” I tilt my head back, smiling up at him. This is the Sy I have been living with the last few months; attentive, protective and horny. Something about my pregnant body has turned Sy into a crazed sex-maniac. Not that I’m complaining. It’s a hell of a lot better than the protective Sy. Since finding out Chad got off with a warning and community service, Sy has not let me out of his sight. Even to the point of assigning one of the boys on me when I need to go to work. We haven’t had any problems, but the further I get along in my pregnancy, the more Sy worries. I think Chad has given up. Finding his wife now is like finding a needle in a haystack. Even the Knights Rebels don’t know where she has gone, but that hasn’t stopped Sy from being vigilant. It’s been crazy and maybe a little over the top, but that’s the man I fell in love with. Broody, protective, loving Sy.
“You look so fucking sexy standing there, barefoot in the kitchen making a cake, with my baby in your swollen belly,” he murmurs softly as his hands come over my small bump, cradling it protectively.
“You are weird, Mr. Dean,” I say.
“Not weird, baby. Just in love.” He kisses my neck, letting another swarm of butterflies free.
“Leave your baby momma alone, Sy,” Kadence says, waddling in carrying a large gift-wrapped box. We came out about the engagement and baby right after we told my parents that we were getting married and expecting. After the shock that I was going to be a mom wore off, my dad and brother started their stupid protective routine, but Sy survived with flying colors and even won my father over. Sy’s family, the Knights Rebels and Co, took it a lot better. Kadence cried in joy over the fact we’re both going to be moms together and the boys were all shocked that Sy had asked me.
“Kadence, what the fuck?” Nix growls, standing to take it out of her hands. “You fuckin’ know that you’re not meant to be lifting shit.”
“Oh, relax, Nix,” she laughs, waddling to the fridge.
“Will you go fuckin’ sit down?” He comes up behind her and reaches in, taking out what she needs.
“Nix, I’m fine.” She shakes her head, not letting her bossy husband order her around.
“If I could pick you up and throw you over my shoulder without hurting you, I would. Instead, I’m going to take your hand and walk you back to your chair, and you’re gonna plant your ass on it for the rest of the party. Do you understand me?” he growls. I can’t even tell Nix off with his badass baby-daddy routine because he's right. She is so close to popping that baby out she needs to take it easy.
“Nix, quit it. I’m fin—” Her last word breaks off as her body doubles over.
“What is it, Kadence?” Nix shouts, throwing the tray of sandwiches to the table, sending them flying everywhere. At first, I think she’s playing, just teasing Nix, but when I see the water leaking down her legs, I know she’s not joking around.
“Ohhh, I think my waters just broke,” she pants, still bent over.
“Fuck, how do we fix it?” Nix says, looking around at all of us.
“You can’t fix it, you ass. It means the baby is coming,” she manages to say, still struggling with some pain.
“The baby’s coming? Right now?” Nix asks again, looking at us for answers. If I weren’t concerned for Kadence still breathing through her first contraction, I would laugh at the big bad biker freaking out.
“Kadence, has it stopped yet?” I ask, coming forward, getting down low and looking up at her pained face.
“Nooo,” she squirms. “Oh, God, is this normal?” she asks. I don’t reply. Instead, I let her try to breathe through it, but counting as I go. After another thirty seconds, I look up at Sy, trying to relay that something isn’t right.
“Oh, my God!” she shouts again.
“Call an ambulance,” I finally say, making the decision to voice my concerns. Kadence is still leaning over and Nix stands frozen, being absolutely no help at all.
“Ambulance?” Nix finally registers what’s happening.
“I don’t think she can move far between the contractions. We won’t get her to the car,” I explain walking to the sofa and pulling off the cushions.
“She can’t fuckin’ have it here,” he bellows out, finally realizing his biker baby is ready to make an appearance.
“Kadence, can you walk?” I ignore his freak out, zoning in on only her.
“I don’t think I can.” Her voice is filled with strain and panic. “Something is wrong, Holly,” she cries in between moaning.
“Nix, pick her up and bring her here,” I instruct, watching her struggle. I look to Sy and watch as he places the call to 911.
“Arrghh!” Kadence screams as Nix picks her up, bringing her to the floor in their living room.
“Fuckin’ hell, what is going on? We need to get her to the fuckin’ hospital, now,” he says, placing her down on the sofa cushions.
“I’m serious, guys; this isn’t normal,” Kadence moans. “Something is wrong.” She looks up with a pained expression and I know this isn’t a drill. I can see it in her eyes.
“I don’t think she’s going to make it there, Nix,” I tell him, moving around to help pull her panties down her legs.
“The baby’s coming,” she says, freaking out.
“What the fuck, Holly?” Nix asks, trying to stop me.
“Nix, I need to check her. See if she’s right.” I look to him hoping he understands my meaning. If the baby is coming now, we need to prepare. He must see the seriousness in my statement or see the urgency in my eyes as his expression turns from panic to fear.
“Everyone, get the fuck out,” he yells, letting me continue to slide her panties down.
“Nix, get me some towels. Lots of them,” I instruct when I see the blood. “Sy, how far away are they?” I ask, looking back over to where he stands.
“Ten minutes,” he says from behind me.
“Oh, my God, Holly. Don’t judge my hairy vajayjay. I can’t see over my belly,” Kadence rushes out, explaining her unkempt lady parts.
“Girl, all I can see is your baby’s head. Trust me, it’s the least of our worries,” I assure her before looking up to Sy wondering how the hell we are going to deliver a baby.
“The head is there already?” Nix races back in, his arms carrying blankets and towels. “Sy get the fuck out of here. I don’t want you to see my woman,” he says, noticing Sy is still in the room.
“Nix, he can help us,” I suggest, holding onto her hand to help her breathe through another contraction.
“Yeah, I’ve seen a delivery before,” Sy says into the phone, ignoring us and focusing on what the operator says to him. I can see Nix and Kadence both look at each other before looking to me for some kind of answer to their unspoken question.
“Oh, God, I want to push,” Kadence screams as another contraction tears through her.
“Yeah, she feels like she needs to,” Sy replies. “Okay,” he says, looking up at Nix “Nix, I’m gonna have to do this brother, unless you want to do it?” he asks, but I can see the struggle on Nix’s face. It’s something between fear and confusion. The poor man is a hot mess.
“Nix, come here. Get behind her,” I order, trying to help him get his head around the fact that his child is about to be born on the living room floor with one of his brother's hands between his wife’s legs. He moves around, sitting in behind her and links his hands with hers.
“Oh, God! It’s coming,” Kadence pants before letting out an almighty scream.
“Kadence, you need to stop pushing. Hold it there,” Sy pauses, listening to more instructions.
“I need to push. I need to push.” Kadence’s voice sounds desperate as she fights off what her body is trying to tell her.
“Breathe through it, Kadence. Like you were taught in our classes,” Nix says, finally coming into the moment.
“I don’t give a shit what they say, Nix. This feels like someone is ripping my vagina apart.” She screams as the next contraction comes on.
“Paramedics are here,” Jesse calls through the front door. I can see the guests, gathering around the door, but I don’t have time to worry about them right now.
“Bring them through, quickly,” I say, watching as she bears down.
“Okay, Kadence. Push just a little, okay?” Sy repeats so calmly that even I find myself relaxing at his composure. She follows his instructions, slowly pushing and breathing.
“That’s it, Kadence,” I say, watching as the top of the head can be seen.
“Fuck, babe, you’re doin’ so good,” Nix says, wiping away tears and kissing her head. The gesture hits me right then and there. Sy and I are witnessing our best friends deliver their child, an amazing experience and beautiful moment right here on their living room floor.
“Hello,” a female and male EMT rush in right on time. “We can take it from here,” she interrupts, coming in to replace Sy.
“She’s almost there,” Sy says, stepping back letting them have room.
“That’s it, keep going, Kadence,” Nix encourages, holding onto her hands as she squeezes through her final push.
“Okay, Kadence. My name is Jenny and we are about to meet this sweet little baby of yours. Give me one more push and we can get you off to the hospital,” she says, spreading Kadence’s legs wider.
“Oh, God. Oh, Goddd!” she screams, making me feel terrible and excited all in the space of a second.
“That’s it. You’re doing great. Now catch your baby, Kadence,” the EMT says as she helps to pull the baby out. The sound of a baby taking its first breath of life is something I know I’ll never forget.
“Holy shit,” I breathe, watching her cradle her baby up on to her chest. It’s one of those serene moments, like seeing love at first sight in slow motion. Tears fall from my eyes watching Nix and Kadence meet their baby for the first time.
“Are you okay, baby?” Sy turns to face me as we step back, letting them have their space.
“Yeah,” I say, shocked at what we just witnessed. “I love you, Sy. You did amazing,” I say through tears, listening to the sound of their baby’s crying.
“It’s a girl,” Kadence exclaims. “We have a baby girl, Nix.”
“Fuck me,” Nix curses, causing us all to laugh.
Sy
“You freaked the fuck out, Nix.” I hear Jesse accuse as we walk into the hospital room. After the EMTs took Kadence and Nix to the hospital, we stayed back, cleaned up and saw everyone off. I don’t know what Holly’s thinking; we’ve both been lost in our own thoughts, but after an experience like that, I know I'm sure as fuck ready to hold our child in my arms and watch him take his first breath.
“You’re here.” Kadence notices us first. She sits up in her hospital bed a little taller.
“Hey,” Holly greets her from next to me. “We had to clean up,” she says, leaning down to kiss her. “How are you?” Holly pulls back.
“Good, feeling great,” Kadence smiles and then turns her gaze to me. “Hey,” she looks nervous for a second, and I realize I just delivered her baby. She might be feeling uncomfortable. I look up at Jesse and Beau, nodding at them to give us a minute.
“Come on, Z. Let's go get something to eat.” They take him out, leaving us alone.
“You saved me again,” she says when they leave us, and it almost chokes me up. Who knew these people would become my family?
