“According to your niece, she’s not a baby anymore. She’s a big girl, especially since she’s potty trained.” Rachel looked up as the doctor strode into the room again. “She’s with Jesse and Nat and having the time of her life. I’m staying.” Bending low, she kissed Erin’s cheek. “Looks like the doctor’s here to check you again. I’ll be in the waiting room.”
The doctor came in and checked her again, informing her that she was still only at slightly over eight centimeters dilated. “Do you feel like walking again?”
“Yes.” With Reese’s help, Erin sat up and leaned against him, reaching out to grip Jared’s arm. “Jared, why don’t you go out and tell the others to go home? Stop scowling at the doctor and go get some dinner. This could go on for hours.” She paused, dropping her head onto Reese’s chest until the next contraction passed.
Supporting her with an arm around her waist, Reese bent to kiss her hair. “God forbid. You’re already worn out.”
The rest of the day passed in a blur of pain, and by the time night had fallen again, Erin was exhausted.
She walked for brief periods before needing to lie down again, and after about a half-hour in the hospital bed, she felt the need to get up again.
Once back in bed again, Erin struggled to get into a comfortable position but, even using pillows, found that she couldn’t.
Wiping her face with a damp cloth, Duncan fed her another ice chip, frowning when she tried to get to her feet again. “Come here, baby.”
Sliding his hands under her, he lifted her against him and sat in the rocking chair next to the window, settling her on his lap. “Let’s see if we can get you comfortable, just like we do at home.”
Forcing a smile, she pushed back a lock of dark blond hair that had fallen onto his forehead and stared into his hazel eyes, which worry for her had darkened to a deep golden green. “This has been a hard day on you, hasn’t it? On all of you? I keep telling you to go eat, but I’m not sure if any of you have.”
They’d each taken turns going out to the waiting room, but none of them had stayed away for very long.
Stiffening at yet another contraction, she curled into Duncan, gripping his shirt as she waited for it to pass.
Massaging her stomach, Duncan blew out a breath, his frustration and concern evident. “Don’t worry about us. On our trips to the waiting room, we’ve been guzzling coffee. We’ll all eat together once you have the baby.”
Jared pulled up a chair to sit across from Duncan, effectively surrounding her.
As the two men shared a look, Jared leaned close, taking her hand in his and kissing her temple.
“You’re so damned brave. Over twelve hours of this. Baby, I wish like hell I could do this for you.”
Her giggle became a groan when another contraction hit. When it was over, she squeezed the hand he still held. “You keep saying things like that, and I keep picturing you pregnant.”
His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re getting delirious.”
Reese had moved to stand behind Jared, quietly watching them.
“I’m going to go get that fucking doctor.”
“I’m not delirious, Reese. Just tired. Did you tell everyone to go home?”
Not answering her, Reese disappeared through the doorway.
Duncan fed her another ice chip.
“We told them, but nobody’s budging. Nat and Jake took Theresa to visit with Kelly and Blade. She’s playing little momma to Hawke and telling everyone that Aunt Erin went to the hospital to get a baby.”
Picturing her niece with Blade and Kelly’s infant son, Erin sighed and wrapped an arm around her swollen abdomen. “She’ll want to play momma to the baby, too. That’ll be cute as hell. Oh!”
After breathing through another contraction, Erin looked up to see that the doctor had come back to check on her. “Hello again, Dr. Marsh.”
The young doctor smiled, a confident smile that made Erin feel a little better. “Hello. I’d like to check you again. Duncan, would you like to help her back into bed?”
“Of course.” Instead of helping her to her feet, Duncan rose with her in his arms and settled her back into bed. “I’m glad Reese found you. This has gone on long enough.”
Jared had already closed in on her other side. “Far too long. She’s worn out.”
Dr. Marsh donned gloves and helped her fit her feet into the stirrups. “I didn’t see Reese. Your blood pressure has gone up a little, but I’m not worried about it.”
After checking her, he straightened. “You’re up to nine. I’m hoping it shouldn’t be much longer, but these things happen in their own time.”