Page 128 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

Something about her worry makes me feel more grounded. Like when Eloise had her allergic reaction.

“Lily, it’s going to be all right,” I tell her, surprised at the confidence in my voice. “I’m sure that Crimson and the others will be able to protect the hotel, and in the meantime, I’ll talk you through things up here. Alin is getting towels and water. I’ve never witnessed a birth before, but I’ve read about it…”

Lily nods, her green eyes shining. “You’re right. When I had Eli, it was hours before he actually came. I’m sure it’ll be…ah…” She shuts her eyes tightly and clutches her large stomach.

I quickly pull out my phone to time the contraction. Then I hurry over to her side, putting my hand to her shoulder.

“It’s ok, Lily, just breathe,” I coach her.

“Is mama ok?” Eli says, looking up from his book with concern.

“I’m ok, honey,” Lily says, through short, deliberate breaths. “This just means…the baby’s getting ready to come…”

Eli’s eyes get wide. “Am I going to be a big brother soon?”

Lily moans, clutching her stomach again.

“Hopefully nottoosoon,” I say. But when I check my phone to see how far apart the contractions are coming, I wish I hadn’t said anything. “Um, Lily…do you want me to call Renata?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t want her to worry about me. She’s got to focus on the hotel…if the other vampires get through…ah…”

Lily squats down, rubbing her stomach.

I see Eli watching her, his tiny mouth in a tight line. His expression reminds me of Renata’s, when she first checked us into the hotel.

“Hey, Eli,” I tell him, as brightly as I can. “I have a really important job for you, ok?”

He looks over at me. “What is it?”

“Well…” I think as quickly as I can. “Before the baby comes, we’re going to need a new family picture. Can you draw a picture of your family, with the new baby in it?”

Eli clutches his crayons tightly in his small fist. His little, shining face is full of determination. I can see an echo of Lily in his eyes. I guess he takes after both of his mothers. “Yep, I can do that!”

The little boy bends over his colouring book, turning to a blank page so he can draw his picture. While he’s preoccupied, I walk Lily around the room. The movement seems to steady her nerves, although I can see by the expression on her face that she’s worried.

I’m about to insist that we call someone, when I hear a knock on the door.

“It’s me!” shouts a faint but recognizable voice from the hallway.

I hurry over and let Alin in. He’s holding an armful of rose-embroidered towels and a large bucket full of warm water. He sets everything down on the desk.

“Thanks, Alin!” I tell him.

Lily moans again, and I take my phone out.

“The contractions are coming five minutes apart,” I report. Then I hand my phone to Alin. “Can you time them, while I get the towels and scissors ready?”

“Um, ok…” Alin says, fumbling with my phone.

Luckily, the security room had a first aid kit, in a drawer along with several sharpened stakes and what I assume are silver chains. I quickly get everything ready, so we’re prepared for when Lily starts to push. Part of me still prays it won’t get to that point, that the vampires will be able to secure the hotel and we can just call an ambulance.

But another part of me knows I should be ready.

“Three minutes and forty-five seconds!” Alin reports. Lily is now in a squatting position, sweat dripping down her brow. “Um, Paige?”

“Yes, Alin?” I ask, wiping down a pair of scissors with alcohol and placing them on a sterilized tray.

“Someone’s calling you…”