Page 113 of High Stakes

“Baby,” I pant, “Coming.” And I disconnect, throwing the device on the couch as a second pain hits me.

Grant comes barreling the door minutes later, “It’s not time,” he says, his eyes wide as he takes in my ruffled state.

“I’m aware,” I grit out impatiently. “I thought it was Braxton hicks again but it’s not going.”

He places his bag down and reaches inside, retrieving a stethoscope. “Did you call the hospital?”

“No, I called you,” I snap. “My doctor.”

He presses it to my stomach and listens for a moment. “Heartbeat is nice and strong.” He stands again. “I’ll call the hospital. They may ask you to come in to be monitored seeing as you’re a few weeks early.”

“Does it matter?” I ask, grabbing his wrist, “That it’s early?”

He smiles, “No. It’s just two weeks.” He goes into the kitchen to make the call. I stand straighter, trying to grab my phone to text Aria, when there’s a warmth between my legs. I look down as wetness soaks my pyjamas.

Grant comes back, “I need to examine you. The hospital wants to know how dilated you are.”

I stare in horror. “Absolutely not.”

He smirks, “Bells, I’m a doctor.”

“That has yet to see my vagina,” I remind him.

He laughs. “If you’re not dilated, there’s no point in us going all the way to the hospital. They’ll just send you home.”

He helps me to lie on the couch before putting on some gloves. I lift my backside, and he tugs my pyjama bottoms down, frowning. “Did your waters break?”

I feel myself blush. “I thought I peed.”

“Jesus, Bella, how long have you been having pains?”

“Hours,” I say with a groan as my stomach tightens.

Grant waits for it to pass before placing a sheet over me and removing my underwear. “I need to feel,” he says, wincing slightly.

“Knock yourself out,” I mutter, “although this isn’t how I imagined our first time to go,” I tease, and he laughs.

After a few silent minutes he arches a brow. “You’re almost ten centimeters.”

“That’s good, right?”

“It means you’ve done all the hard work, and your baby is almost here.”

“No,” I say, trying to sit up. Another pain forces me to lie back. “But what about the pain relief?”

“You’ve done the hard work, Bella, didn’t you hear me?” He laughs again, “When you feel the urge to push, go for it.”

I stare wide eyed. “What? Here, on the couch?”

He looks around, “Um, good point. Maybe we should lay sheets on the floor and move to an area we can clean easily?”

“You’re missing my point,” I cry. “I’m having the baby here in the cottage?”

He smiles wide, “Yep. It’ll be my tenth delivery,” he announces proudly. “Now, shall we move to the floor? Maybe all fours might feel more comfortable?”

“So you can see my backside to,” I hiss, holding out my hand so he can help me up. “Not a chance.”

I waddle through to the kitchen and Grant lays out some sheets and towels. Pain rips through me again and this time, there’s a pressure between my legs, telling me Ineed to push. I grab onto Grant’s hands and follow my body’s instinct, pushing down until the urge passes.