Page 36 of Silver Linings
“You okay, Lil?”
“Yes,” she got out through gritted teeth, and Gunner’s stomach churned as her head flew back against the headrest. “Y-you really need to drive, Gunner.”
“Right, sorry. Just can’t stop worrying about you.”
“I’m fine. I p-promise.”
He pulled his hand back and Lily whimpered.
“What’s wrong?”
“C-can you drive like that?”
“With my hand on your belly?” The act had felt so intimate, but so right at the same time.
She nodded. “It’s just that the warmth feels so nice.” A tear slid down her cheek.
“Lift your shirt, Lily Kate,” he directed, watching her close her eyes as she pulled the material up over her belly. His hand gently skimmed across her skin as he settled his hand back over the baby. “Is that okay?”
“It’s perfect. Thank you.” She placed her own hands on top of his.
He was so fucked. The baby moved beneath his touch and his heart crushed in his chest as he thought about everything Lily was going to endure to bring their daughter into the world. And she was their daughter. He felt it stronger with each passing day since they were married. But fuck if that didn’t scare him.
“I don’t think we should go to Mercy, Lil. I know it’s a few more minutes to drive to St. Joseph’s, but the doctors there won’t interfere with James’s parents like they might at Mercy.”
“You can’t switch providers when the baby’s coming.”
“They can’t refuse you care, Lil. And I was doing some research the past few nights. They have a higher rating from patients and a lower rate of c-sections than Mercy.”
“Okay,” she said through clenched teeth. “Go there.”
Three more contractions happened before he pulled into the emergency room parking lot. Gunner parked the car right at the door, not caring one bit that it was a tow zone. Lily and Sprout were his only concern.
“Sir, you can’t park here.” An orderly with a fierce scowl walked towards him as he jumped from the truck.
“My wife is in labor. I’ll move it once she’s taken care of.”
The orderly nodded, stepping inside the doors. By the time he’d returned, Gunner had helped Lily out of the truck and was rocking back and forth with her as another contraction took hold.
“Sir, your wife is in good hands,” the orderly said as he helped Lily into the wheelchair. “Please park your truck and you can meet us up on the third floor when you’re done.”
“Lily?” Gunner looked into her eyes and saw the fear.
“I’m fine. Go park the truck,” she smiled. “But hurry, okay?”
“Okay.”
Lily breathed through another contraction as she waited in the wheelchair at the nurse’s station on the Labor and Delivery floor. How could something so fundamental to life hurt so damn much? She’d wanted to be strong enough to do it all on her own, but the relief at knowing Gunner would be coming up behind her at any moment was all she could focus on.
Of course, he might not stay with her. He might want to stay away. The waiting room was small, but maybe he’d decide to be in there until her daughter was born.
Another contraction pulled at her back, forcing her to curl over her belly as its cruel tendrils snaked their way through her body. She couldn’t hold back the cry that left her lips.
“Why the fuck is my wife still out in the hallway?” The familiar growl had her heart fluttering in overdrive.
“There is paperwork that needs to be filled out Mr. Brooks. Mrs. Brooks will be admitted shortly.”
“Get her to a room and check on our daughter. I’ll fill out whatever needs to be handled, but my wife and daughter are to be placed in a room and monitored immediately.” When the nurse grumbled, she watched Gunner’s expression turn to stone. “Unless you’d like me to reach out to my boss, Sebastian Montgomery, and his team of lawyers.”