Page 139 of Pinch

Warm water swirls around us, and the scent of lavender floats in the air. Haddy is in my arms, her back against my chest, and we’re in our big, jetted garden tub.

“I don’t know how much you paid for this house,” she sighs, “But this tub makes whatever it was worth it.”

Chuckling, I kiss her temple. “Anything for my queen.”

“You know, if you said that in front of anyone, they would gag over how corny it sounds…” She tilts her head to the side, kissing my jaw. “But I love it.”

“I know.”

She snorts a laugh at my Han-Solo-ism. Her long hair is bunched on top of her head, and I reach down to put my hands on her hips, circling my thumbs over her lower back. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I don’t care how awful it is, I’m ready to get her out of me.”

“You’re doing so good, babe.” I kiss her again, thinking about the push present I’ve got waiting for whenever our baby girl finally makes her appearance.

“I’m sorry you lost the championship.” Her voice is quiet, and she tilts her head to check my expression.

I kiss the tip of her nose. “Thanks, but I tell ya, I think that injury played a role.” Shaking my head, I slide my hands up and down her arms. “It was so late in the season, I never had the chance to get back to my fighting speed. And I was worried about you here, thinking of you going into labor with me in fucking Canada… my head just wasn’t in the game.”

“To be fair, Canada is a nice place.” She’s teasing, and I exhale a low chuckle. “And that Edmonton team… I mean, it’s Gretzky-town.”

She knows my idol… hell, every hockey player’s idol. I put baby powder on my stick for the first five years I played.

“Try telling your cousin that.”

“Mav’s just hates losing… Oh…” She shifts abruptly in my arms. “I think I’d better get out of the tub.”

“Okay.” I reach down, lifting the drain and holding her arms to help her stand. “Hang on… I’ve got you.”

Reaching for a towel, I’m holding her hand when I hear her gasp. My eyes snap back to her wide blue ones, and my stomach drops. Her chin dips, and we both look down to where a gush of water rushes from between her legs.

“I think my water just broke!”

“Thank fuck I’m here!” I don’t even try to hide my relief. “Hold my hand. We’re ready for this.”

Overnight bag is in my new Rover, the car seat is properly installed, I texted Dr. Barry, and we’re heading up the 5 on our way to Pasadena.

“Oh, shit!” Haddy is in the passenger’s seat, doing her best to breathe. “It hurts so bad!”

My chest tightens, and I reach over to hold her hand. “What’s your mantra, babe?”

“I don’t remember.” She turns wide eyes at me. “All that practice… it wasrelax…oh, Gavin! It hurts so much!”

“Take it easy, hang on.” I tap on the screen on my dash, searching for the number of her Aunt Liv who is the hypnobirthing pro. “I’ll call your Aunt Liv to talk you through it.”

At that exact moment, we meet up with Highway 134 and come to a complete stop. “What the fuck?”

My forehead is tight. It’s after ten, and it’s brake lights everywhere. Changing course, I tap in her mother’s number.

“What’s happening?” Raven’s voice is tense. “Is Haddy okay?”

“As a matter of fact, we’re in labor.” My tone is equally tense. “What’s happening on 134? We’re trying to get to the birthing center.”

“Where the hell is it?” I hear fingers tapping keys.

“Pasadena.”

“Gavin! What the hell? Why is your birthing center in Pasadena?”