“Piper?” he asked, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head with tears rushing down her face, then looked up at him and said, “My water just broke.”
“What? What are you talking about? I’ll get you another cup after we are done talking,” he said, shaking his head. She interrupted him because she was out of water? Wait, she didn’t have any water. Looking into her wide eyes, he said, “You aren’t talking about your drink, are you?” She shook her head quickly, tears falling in heaps down her rosy cheeks. He looked down at her stomach and then back into her eyes and asked, “The baby is coming, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
Oh fuck.
Chapter 26
“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” Piper panted as Erik stood there staring at her.
His heart was beating at speeds unimaginable and he had no clue what to do. How was this happening? She still had a month until it was time for the baby to come.
Yeah, this was not happening.
“Wait, are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yes, I feel water rushing down my legs.”
“Are you sure you didn’t just piss yourself?” he asked frantically, moving closer to hold her hand.
She shook her head desperately as she doubled over, her nails digging into his wrist. “Oh fuck no, we gotta go. Like now.”
“Oh my God.” Erik was freaking out.
“Unless you want me having our child in the middle of my best friend’s wedding, we gotta fucking go!” she screamed, causing everyone to turn and look at them.
“What’s wrong?” Erik turned to see Shea coming up to them. “Everything okay?”
“No, the baby is coming,” Piper hissed out. “Erik.”
But he wasn’t moving.
When a hard slap came to Erik’s back, he jumped in surprise. “Titov, get it together, man!” Shea yelled. “You need to take your wife to the hospital now.”
“Right,” Erik said, moving to her side to start for the front of the barn.
“Someone get Titov’s car!” Shea yelled, taking Erik’s keys and throwing them to someone. Erik was too busy trying to get Piper to walk. She was digging her nails into his arms, trying to keep from screaming. He could tell she was hurting and he had no clue what to do.
“Baby, tell me what to do,” he asked as they slowly made their way through the mass of people.
“I don’t know,” she hissed out.
“Piper, are you okay?”
They both turned to see Audrey rushing toward her. Piper nodded her head quickly as she said, “Just fine, I went into labor, no big deal, go be merry and happy.” Piper waved her off as she flashed a pained, scary grin at her. Erik wanted to laugh, but he knew better.
“What? You’re having the baby?” Audrey screeched.
“Yeah, no big deal, I’ll call you later,” Piper said before she bent over, gripping his arm as she gasped for air. “Oh fuck, I’m dying.”
“Shit! Don’t say that!” Erik yelled as Karson came running toward him.
“Your car is out front,” Karson said, handing Erik his keys. “Good luck, dude.”
Erik nodded. “Thanks, King. Baby, can we get to the car?”
Piper shook her head and when she glanced up at him, big wet tears fell from her sweet eyes. Erik’s heart skipped a beat as he leaned forward, pressing his lips to her nose. Picking her up, hoping he made it look easier than it actually was, he carried her to his Yukon. Thankfully Karson had left the passenger door open and Erik was able to place her carefully inside the big SUV.
“This isn’t your car,” she said as she took in some deep breaths.
“I traded in the other one for this one,” he said quickly before shutting the door and rushing to the driver’s side.
“Erik!”
Erik paused to see Elli, Fallon, and Audrey running toward him.
“Call me when you get to the hospital. We are leaving in a bit,” Elli said with a worried look on her face.
“We’ll be there after the wedding,” Fallon said in a rush as she waved to Piper.
“Tell Piper we love her!” Audrey yelled with tears rushing down her cheeks. “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
“Okay,” Erik said, opening his door, but as he got in, Elli called out, “Erik! You make sure you take care of her!”
Erik smiled, then muttered, more to himself, “I intend to for the rest of my life.”
He slammed the door, started the engine, and drove off. Piper was taking in deep breaths as she squirmed in the seat, holding her middle. “Oh, it hurts.”