I was in labor. Duh.
"No." I shake my head, my teeth chattering so bad I clamp them shut and try to get myself under control. "I'm actually pretty hot."
"Yeah, you are," he murmurs with a soft laugh. I laugh too because he's always saying things like that.
"Considering that I feel the farthest thing from hot and sexy, I appreciate the compliment," I say as the door opens and we both glance toward it.
A nurse comes in, a pleasant smile on her face. She takes one look at me and the smile fades as she rushes toward the bed. "Ooh, I think we should check you."
"Why?" Archer asks as he stands. Worry radiates off him, and I love that he's always my knight, standing up for me no matter what. "Is she okay?"
"She's probably close." By my side, the nurse's voice is gentle as she asks me to lie back. I spread my legs, and she peeks under my gown, a little sound escaping her before she pops her head back up. "I think we're ready to call the doctor in. Do you feel the urge to push?"
"Sorta," I say just as another contraction grips me. My voice fades, but a groan escapes as I hold my belly with one hand. Since monitors are attached to my belly, the steady thump of our baby's heartbeat fills the room, and I concentrate on the sound which reassures me that he or she is trying to get out.
"Let me go fetch the doctor. I'll be right back." The nurse hurries out of the room, leaving Archer and me alone once more. He takes my hand the moment she's gone, interlacing his fingers with mine.
"You ready?" he asks. "Feeling okay?"
"I'm . . . f-fine." I'm overcome with shivers again, and I press my lips together, trying to keep it all under control. I feel like I'm having an out-of-body experience, I swear. Like this isn't really happening to me, though it so totally is. "D-do you think Marina and G-gage are mad at us?"
Archer's jaw sets in that way it does when he's being stubborn. "I don't care if they're mad or not. You're about to give birth, Ivy. It's not like we said, 'hey, let's f**k up Gage and Marina's wedding day on purpose.'"
"I know, I know." I sigh and lean my head against the pillow. I stare up at the pale green ceiling and wonder how many other women have been in this very room doing the same thing I'm about to do. "I can't help the twinge of guilt I'm feeling though."
"Hey, they understand. I know they do. Gage told me to tell you that they're thinking of you and can't wait to meet the baby."
"I hope they can stop by before they leave for their honeymoon. If the baby will even be born by then," I say with an exasperated sigh.
"The baby will be here by then," Archer says assuredly, leaning over so he's looking me directly in the eyes. "Have faith, babe. It's all going to come together. Trust me."
As I stare into my husband's eyes, I know I trust him one hundred percent. I'm just tired and scared and eager. Eager for all of this to be over with, so I can hold my child in my arms and welcome him or her into this world.
"Hello." The obstetrician strides into the room, the tails of his white coat flying behind him as he approaches the bed. "I hear you're about to have a baby. You ready?"
"As I'll ever be," I answer, offering a smile in Archer's direction.
He smiles in return, handsome despite the circles ringing his eyes and his messy hair. "Me too, babe," he says, not even looking at the doctor. No, my husband's gaze is only for me. "Me too."
Chapter Three
Gage
I'M NERVOUS. I didn't think this would happen. I've been the cool, easygoing eye of the storm that has been my poor stressed-out fiancée. But now that the moment has come, and I'm standing with Matt by my side, in front of our guests, as we all wait for Marina to make her appearance, I feel like I might faint.
Yeah. Not good.
Locking my knees, I swallow hard and try not to fidget as the music plays. A crisp breeze washes over us, cooling my sweat-dampened forehead, and I give it a subtle swipe, noting that my palms are clammy.
I'm a freaking mess.
"Calm down, dude," Matt whispers out of the side of his mouth. We're standing so close our shoulders are practically touching. Wonder if he'd catch me if I fall. "You look like you're gonna drop."
"I feel like I'm gonna drop," I tell him, feeling like an idiot but not really caring. He's my new best man, so I need him to step it up. If I pass out, it's on him.
"Your girl is going to make her appearance at any minute." Matt nods toward the beginning of the aisle where no one stands. Where are the girls? We already made our walk down the aisle, Matt walking Marina's mom to her seat, me walking my mother.