Undeserving (Undeniable #5)(97)

Abruptly, Debbie turned away from the mirror and took a seat on the bed. Staring helplessly at the bare, cream-colored wall, she placed her hand on her chest and attempted to breathe normally.

This couldn't be happening. It wasn't time yet.

Oh God, she needed Preacher.

Covering her face with her hands, she breathed noisily into her palms. She needed Preacher. He should be here with her. She couldn't do this without him. He wanted this baby-not her.

"Please no," she mumbled. She dropped her hands and looked helplessly around the room to the wall. "Please God, no. I can't do this."

She definitely couldn't do this with Tiny.

Another cramp rippled through her, worse than before. Pain radiated from her back to her front and she rolled onto her side, clutching her stomach. Once the discomfort subsided, she blinked blearily across the room.

"Debbie?" Tiny appeared in the doorway, scratching at his head. His nervous gaze flicked nervously around the room before landing on her. "Preacher ain't at the club and Max says he don't know when he's gettin' back. Want me to grab a taxi?" 

"No!" Debbie cried, violently shaking her head back and forth. "Call Sylvia!"

She wasn't going anywhere without Preacher. She would stay right here until he showed up.

Tiny looked as scared as Debbie felt. "But, uh … " He swallowed hard. "Shouldn't we get you to the hospital?"

"Tiny! Call Sylvia-right now!"

Eyes wide and head bobbing frantically, Tiny disappeared down the hallway.

Minutes passed, maybe hours; time had ceased to exist in Debbie's current state. Panic continued to worsen her nausea, causing her to periodically dry heave. Her contractions persisted, coming closer together. Several times Tiny poked his head in to ask her if she needed anything, and she'd only managed to groan in response.

"Where is she?" Sylvia demanded.

Debbie jolted at the sound of Sylvia's voice and cried out. A moment later Sylvia rushed into the bedroom.

"I'm here, I'm here!" Sylvia was breathless as she dropped down on her knees beside the bed. Her hands covered Debbie's-cold against Debbie's sweat-drenched skin. The familiar, overly sweet scent of Sylvia's perfume filled Debbie's nostrils, causing her stomach to roil.

"My water broke," Debbie moaned.

Sylvia smoothed a hand over her forehead. "Oh Debbie, that's the least of it. From the looks of it, you're in labor." She glanced around the room. "Now where's your bag?"

Debbie blinked at her, confused.

"Your bag," Sylvia repeated. "Your hospital bag? Clothes for you and the baby?"

Debbie shook her head. "I forgot."

She hadn't really forgotten; she just hadn't done it. She hadn't been able to bring herself to do anything baby related. Everything the Sylvia had purchased for the baby was piled inside the closet, still wrapped in its store packaging.

Sylvia smiled at her-a kind and gentle smile that looked out of place on the always-scowling Italian. She squeezed Debbie's hands. "Don't you worry, I'll take care of it."

Debbie watched through blurry eyes as Sylvia hurried around the bedroom, grabbing handfuls of things from inside the dresser and shoving them into Debbie's canvas backpack. Throwing open the closet, Sylvia began yanking items off hangers. W

Finished, she turned to Debbie. "We gotta get you to the car now, okay? Can you walk?"

Debbie's tears spilled over. "Sylvie," she whispered frantically, "I'm scared. Please, I don't want to do this. Please … "

If Sylvia answered her, Debbie didn't hear it. Another cramp pulsed through her, ten times more painful than the last. Eyes squeezed shut, Debbie twisted the bed sheet in her grip.

"Breathe, Debbie, breathe!" Sylvia shouted. "Like this! Remember how I showed you?"

No, Debbie did not remember. And even if she could remember, she couldn't fathom how anyone could expect her to breathe through this god-awful pain.

"Oh God," she panted, rolling onto her back. Clutching her belly, she blinked up at Sylvia's looming face. "It feels like I'm falling apart!"

"Oh Debbie, that's normal." Sylvia smiled anxiously. "They tear us open coming out and then their sweet faces put us back together."

Not wanting to hear about babies and their sweet faces, Debbie turned her head. "No," she moaned, pushing herself further across the bed, away from Sylvia.

"Oh God, oh God, it hurts so bad." She clutched her belly. "I can't do this, Sylvie. I can't do this-not without Preacher."