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Epilogue

“BUT I’M NOT DUE FORtwo more weeks.” My voice broke at the last word giving away my rising fear. “Brenton isn’t even here. She can’t come today.” I was an idiot for not going to Kentucky with B. What was I thinking wanting to stay here just because it was familiar? Going into labor early was always a possibility, but I never thought it would happen. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. Now here I was going into labor with my husband states away. Husband was still strange to say even in my thoughts. But I guess that was natural considering it had only been a few months since he proposed and later that day stood before the Justice of the Peace.

Bending over my round belly as far as I could toward my crotch I yelled, “You can’t come out today. Go back in there.”

“It doesn’t work that way sweetie,” Ryder said with a nervous laugh at the end. “Come on we have to get you to the hospital. I don’t want the wrath of your husband if you have this baby in the car.”

“No. I’m not going without him.”

“Beka....” she groaned. “Stop it with this stupid shit. You know we have to go so stop being difficult. You’re not having this baby here.”

I crossed both arms across my chest and leaned further into the couch just as another contraction hit making my face contort in pain. “Fuck this hurts,” I cried. “I need Brenton.”

When I finally peeled my eyes open, Bradley stood over me staring down with concern and determination behind his gaze.

“I’m not going without him,” I whispered.

“You don’t have a choice sis. Hate to break it to you, but nature doesn’t give a shit if your husband is here or not. My niece is coming today and not in this fucking house. Now get your ass off the couch and into the truck. I already have the seat warm for you.”

Stupid hormones had tears leaking from my eyes at his thoughtfulness.

“Here,” Ryder shoved her cell phone against my ear. “Maybe you’ll listen to him.”

Knowing who was on the other end of the line, I sat up straighter and cleared my throat. “Where are you?”

“Beks I swear on everything we own I will kick your fine ass if you don’t get in the fucking truck right now,” Brenton said calmly. But I heard the undercurrent of worry and frustration. He was my husband after all.

“Where are you?” I asked again allowing my voice to shake. I didn’t want to do this without Brenton there. I was strong on my own, but I needed his strength to get through this, I needed him here.

“Figuring out a way to get to Midland. Baby, you have to go to the hospital okay. Listen to Ryder and your brother. I love you but get in the damn truck.”

In the seconds it took for me to glance between the two staring at me Brenton was already talking again.

“Get your fine ass off the couch.” The clear command in his tone, one I loved in the bedroom, struck home.

“Big ass,” I grumbled back.

“My ass. Now up.”

Reaching out a hand to Bradley I grunted as he pulled me up. An arm wrapped around my waist he held me steady until I had my balance.

“Okay, okay I’m going. So bossy.” My smirk dropped as I doubled over with a curse at the sharp cramping around my middle. The phone tumbled to the floor.

“Beka,” Ryder yelled. Her small arm wrapped under my shoulders and urged me toward the door. “I hope you packed good snacks in your overnight bag. You’re stressing me the fuck out.”

Even though the pain I couldn’t help but laugh.

From the cowskin rug, Brenton’s bellowing voice called out to me.

“Get the phone,” I said between deep breaths. “Before B strokes out.”

As Ryder ushered me toward the door mumbling a string of curse words I heard Bradley telling Brenton what was going on. Once outside Ryder and I stopped at the top of the stairs knowing full well we should wait for Bradley in case I toppled forward–I was a little top heavy these days.

“He’s on his way,” Bradley stated and tucked his shoulder beneath mine. “Don’t worry, knowing your husband he’ll break every law out there to get to you in time.”

“And if not you’ll have me,” Ryder grunted as she shoved me into the truck. “Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

**