Once it’s passed, I continue to give this baby a pep talk. “You can do it, kid. Make me as miserable as you want, but you’re not coming until your daddy’s in the room.”
I know Rachael would tell me to, “put your big girl panties on.” I would, except my only pair is sopping wet. My contractions are far enough apart to wait to tell Colin. That’s my decision and I’m sure of it.
Maybe.
When I step out of the bathroom, now completely dressed in my wrinkled clothing, everyone is staring at me like I’m going to break. “I’m fine. I’ve timed my contractions and this baby isn’t coming anytime soon. Jenny, please let me know as soon as Colin’s done speaking. I’ll call him, and tell him that I’m in labor. Don’t let him drive Bertha. In fact, don’t let him drive at all. You bring him to the hospital. The last thing that I need is for him to get in a car accident trying to reach me.” Everyone gives me a nervous giggle, but the dilated eyes and gaping mouths say that I am crazed pregnant lady.
Jenny chimes in first. “You’re seriously asking me to drive that fucking maniac when he finds out you’re in labor to the hospital?” She throws her hands up in the air and backs away from me, shaking her head. “Ask Aiden.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t reply just yet as another contraction doubles me over. Thank God I don’t vomit. I really can’t take listening to Brad fret about me getting sick in his precious car.
Once the contraction has passed, I look at Jenny and state, “When he’s out-of-control angry, remind him it was my call. I’ll stay on the phone with him the whole drive. He’ll be fine.” I cross my fingers behind my back, because we all know that he’s going to lose his mind when I tell him. But this is for the best. Colin gets to have his cake, and eat it too. He’ll have his moment in front of his fans, and arrive in time to meet his child. He’ll just miss the boring waiting part of labor.
Brad has my purse, phone, and tote bag, the latter of which is slung over his shoulder. “All right, best doctor-friend. Let’s go meet Baby McKinney.”
With that, I give everyone a hug and listen to the congratulations and good lucks. As I’m walking out the hotel door, I turn around and address the group, remembering I forgot the most important part. “Look, guys. You can’t tell anyone about what’s going on. That means don’t breathe a word to Colin’s parents, Aiden, or anyone else. He deserves to hear this news from me first. Okay?”
The group nods their heads in a collective understanding. I pray that they’ll keep their word, or the State of Texas might be raising Baby McKinney.
Carter is waiting for us in Brad’s Range Rover. Miguel sits in the passenger seat while Brad and I crawl into the back. We take the back exit out of the hotel’s parking garage. Traffic is at a standstill. I let out a frustrated sigh. I forgot that Downtown had been closed for the victory parade.
Just as I’m about to panic in epic fashion, another contraction doubles me over. I grip the door handle and clutch my stomach. This is excruciating. There’s no way on God’s green earth that I’m doing natural childbirth. As soon as I get to the hospital, I want an epidural—STAT!
“Brad, call Doctor Starr and tell her that I want an epidural waiting for me. Tell her we’re stuck in Downtown traffic, and my contractions are regular and seven minutes apart. Get her opinion on not telling Colin,” I bark.
Brad quickly does as I ask, and I listen to a lot of his one-word answers or agreements. When he hangs up, he says, “She thinks that you’re fine waiting to tell Colin. You can get an epidural as long as you’re far enough along. She’s at the hospital, and is waiting for you.”
I look outside the windows of the car, and see nothing but people. We’re not moving. This might as well be Armageddon.
Chapter Two
Charlie
Seven months earlier…
“Bartender, another round,” Rachael slurs.
Juan Carlo’s beautiful, full lips spread into a sexy little smirk. “Mis Amores, do you really think another round is a good idea?” he asks in his broken English. He shakes his head, and begins mixing us our drinks before he hears the answer to his question.
Rachael laughs. “It’s our last day in Cabo. We’re not giving in until the sun comes up.”
Rachael and I’ve been in Cabo for the last three days. She happened to call when I’d started my period—again. She and Aiden were having issues, and on top of that, she’d been worked to her breaking point. We decided that we needed a girl’s trip, just some time to decompress, relax, and reconnect again. Two days later, I met her at the airport in Cabo.