She shakes her head. “No, I was alone.”
My heart breaks, picturing a sixteen-year-old Nova scared and alone in a hospital giving birth to her son. “That’s horrible.”
She shrugs, still absentmindedly rubbing my arm. “It’s okay.”
“I can’t imagine going through this without Xander,” I murmur, and if he doesn’t get his ass here that’s a very real possibility.
We hear a commotion in the hallway and then a moment later the door swings open.
Xander bursts into the room … Well, shoves is a more accurate description since he’s wearing his uniform with big shoulder pads and he barely fits through the door.
I breathe a sigh of relief the moment I see him.
“Fuck, Thea, I was so scared I wouldn’t make it in time.” He collapses at the foot of the bed.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” I tell him, and promptly burst into tears of relief. I can’t seem to help it. Pregnancy makes me a weepy mess.
He picks himself up and comes to stand over me, kissing me desperately.
He pulls away and smiles at Nova. “Thank you for staying with her.”
“It’s not a problem. Do you want us to go to your house and bring you some clothes?”
He looks down at himself. “Shit. Yeah, I need someth
ing.”
“We’ll take care of it,” she promises and squeezes my hand before leaving. When she opens the door I see my brother tiptoeing outside it.
“Go tell my brother I’m okay?” I ask Xander.
He nods. “I can do that.”
I take a deep breath, growing more uncomfortable since my contractions are getting closer together.
Xander finished speaking with my brother and comes back.
“Can you at least get rid of the shoulder pads?” I ask. “You look like the Hulk.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, give me a minute.” He peels off the jersey and then takes off the rest of the gear. By the time he’s done he’s shirtless and I’m regretting my request, because at the moment the nurse comes back in.
“Oh.” She jumps, and then her jaw drops, staring at my husband.
“Yeah, yeah, I get it.” I wave a hand. “He has a nice body, that’s why I’m currently knocked up, now can you stop staring at my husband?” I plead.
She shakes her head, her cheeks flaming.
“Thea,” Xander scolds.
“I’m having a baby here,” I defend. “I can do and say whatever I want.”
“I wanted to check you again,” the nurse says. “Since things seemed to be moving fast I wanted to stay on top of it.”
I prop my legs up once more and she checks me.
“Looks like you’re at eight centimeters now, so we’re having a baby soon, and I hate to tell you but you’re moving so fast they won’t give you an epidural now.” She gives me an apologetic smile. “I’m going to go hunt down your doctor. I think we’re going to have a baby in the next hour.”
My jaw drops and Xander’s surprised eyes meet mine.