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“You’re crying?” he asked, a panicked hint to his voice.

“Good tears!” I insisted. “This baby is making me cry at the drop of a hat, but I’m so happy that Joey gave me a card. Are you okay with that?”

Gideon pulled me in for a hug. “You, Bethany Noble, are the only mother that child has ever had, and she is damn lucky to have you.”

That just made me cry harder.

I was so lost in my tears that, at first, I didn’t feel the trickle of water running down my leg.

“Uhh…Gideon?” I asked breathlessly.

He furrowed his brow. “Yeah?”

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself.

“I’m pretty sure my water just broke.”

Chapter 50

Beth

Gideon had us at the hospital in record time.

He held my hand the entire drive there, and I squeezed the living crap out of his fingers every time a contraction hit.

And oh, did they hit. A few minutes after my water broke, they camefast.

“Fuck. Why did no one warn me that contractions felt this bad?”

Gideon had the nerve to chuckle. “Then no one would have babies.”

“Oh, they would,” I grumbled. “I would happily do it for Joey, if it had been up to me, and for this munchkin—but I reserve the right to complain while it’s happening,” I said through gritted teeth.

Gideon smiled softly at me. “I know you would.”

“Eyes on the road!” I hissed, making him laugh.

We drove in silence for a few minutes, Gideon focusing on weaving in and out of traffic, and me focusing on getting through the hellish contractions every time they hit.

“Jensen is already in labor and delivery, waiting for us,” my mate said as the text notification popped up on his phone.

I guess there were a few perks to being with a doctor. There were also downsides, thanks to their workaholic nature, but I was a fan overall.

“He’d better have picked out a nice room for me,” I grumbled.

Gideon’s thumb rubbed circles on the palm of my hand in a soothing gesture I was thankful for. I needed cuddles, but considering the only alpha in my vicinity was driving, that wasn’t really an option. “I’m sure he did,” he said as we pulled into the hospital parking lot.

Jensen was waiting for us in the parking lot, a wheelchair ready for me.

“Oh, thank you.” I sighed, sitting my butt in the chair. “I think I leaked on your car.” I winced, looking at Gideon.

He waved off my concern. “Cars can be cleaned. Cullen will be here in just a moment. He’s dropping Joey off with a friend.”

Silently I prayed for a quick labor. I wanted to be back home with my baby and my daughter. Also, a shorter labor meant less pain.

In theory.

They wheeled me up to labor and delivery while I was examined and immediately admitted.