Page 115 of Pinch

“Whatever you want, Princess. I’m here to help.”

Her slim brows are furrowed as she listens to the instructor. I’m enjoying holding her this way, placing myhands over Lucy’s foot as it pushes against Haddy’s stomach like a little torpedo.

“That doesn’t hurt?” I whisper, trying not to laugh.

“Not really.” She looks down to where I’m smoothing my palm over the tiny point.

Her hand joins mine, and we’re mesmerized by the strange shapes her stomach takes while our daughter swims around in there.

“She’s so active tonight.” Haddy blinks up at me, and I nod.

“She must be into the water birth idea.”

“I think she knows I like being in your arms this way.” Haddy kisses my cheek. “She’s swimming in endorphins.”

My chest rises at the thought I’ve got both of them in my arms right now. My whole fucking world.

“You’re Gavin Knight!” The lady next to me excitedly whispers a little too loudly. “Look, honey, it’s Gavin Knight, the hockey player!”

Her partner on her back in front of her looks up at us. “Oh my gosh, and you’re the princess?”

Haddy blinks away from them. “I’m just a regular girl.”

“You’re a lot more than that.” I lean down to kiss the top of her head.

“Aw, that’s so sweet.” The first woman coos. “I saw the video of you two kissing at the game with the teams fighting all around you. That’s just good hockey!”

I hold back a laugh as the instructor walks directly in front of us, giving the four of us a pointed look.

“Floating in the water allows you to find the most comfortable position for giving birth…” Her voice grows slightly louder, and I think that’s her way of telling us to pay attention. “It also encourages natural movements, which can help the baby reach the optimal position for birthing.”

Haddy whispers. “I guess that makes sense.”

I look up at the lady, who’s giving us a hard stare, and smile.

“I’m curious about that massage therapy you mentioned?” She didn’t say it was time for questions, but what the hell? We’re already disrupting class. “Is that something I could learn?”

“Yes,” she returns my smile, nodding, so maybe we’re not flunking the class. “We’ll go through the specialized birth massage next week. Thank you, Mr. Knight.”

Whoa, she knows who I am, too.

Leaning down, I whisper, “Zip it, Princess.”

Haddy snorts, and the lady keeps going, guiding us through movements like squatting, kneeling, and even resting her head on her arms on the side of the birthing pool.

Haddy grows serious as the instructor talks about reduced perineal trauma and different things I don’t completely understand. Looks like I’ve got more homework to do.

When she lets us go, I take Haddy’s hand, helping her up from the floor. The leader thanks us for coming, but Haddy doesn’t make eye contact. She only nods and mutters a quiet thank you.

I’m not sure what changed in the last half-hour, but I don’t pressure her as we walk out to Mav’s Rover.

“I guess I need to get off my butt and get one of these before July.” I help Haddy into the passenger’s side, but she doesn’t comment. “We’ll have to have a car seat properly installed and all that stuff or they won’t let us bring Lucy home.”

“Yeah.”

Walking around to the driver’s side, I feel like I missedsomething. We continue for a little bit in silence, but the birth center is a twenty-minute drive from the house. At this time of evening on a weeknight, it’s even shorter.

“You okay?” I cover her hand with mine, and she blinks up at me.