Page 122 of Power Play Daddies

Kieran pulls me into his arms, whispering words of reassurance, but I can’t focus on anything but the fear gnawing at my stomach. The whole damn world might be falling apart, but this? This is my focus now.

Getting to the hospital.

We’ve got to get to the hospital.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Daisy

The hospital’sfluorescent lights burn my eyes, but the world around me is spinning.

The rush of doctors and nurses, the quick movements of Kieran, Beau, and Mason as they scramble to keep me steady—everything is happening too fast.

I try to focus, but all I can think about is how fucking terrified I am.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I mutter, gripping Kieran’s hand as I’m wheeled down the hallway. My breathing is shaky, like I’m not even in my own body.

This is too soon. Way too soon.

Kieran squeezes my hand. “It’s all right, Daisy. We’ve got you. Just breathe.”

I can’t breathe. My lungs feel like they’re trapped in concrete. I’m not ready. I’m not ready for this.

When we get to the delivery room, a nurse immediately starts prepping me. I can’t even process what she’s saying, but she’s pointing and talking about how dilated I am and how we need to get ready for delivery now.

“You’re dilated to five,” the doctor says, her voice calm but firm. “We’re going to get started.”

“No,” I choke out, shaking my head. “It’s too soon. It’s too fucking soon. Dr. Ross isn’t even here yet.”

“Daisy,” the doctor says softly, pulling me into a sitting position on the bed. “My name is Dr. Emma Carstairs. I work with Dr. Ross. I know this is scary and not at all what you prepared for, but I promise we’ve got this. You’re gonna be fine. Let’s just take it one step at a time, okay?”

I nod, but the panic is still there, gnawing at my insides. I want to scream. I want to run, but there’s nowhere to go.

Mason, Beau, and Uncle Ace are pacing outside, finishing up the paperwork. Kieran’s right beside me, his presence grounding me even though my whole body feels like it’s about to break. He doesn’t let go of my hand for a second.

The doctor checks again, then looks up at me, her expression serious. “We’re gonna deliver the babies now. You’re in active labor.”

I want to scream. Instead, I close my eyes, biting my lip, and trying to take in what’s happening. I didn’t expect this. I didn’t even plan for this. This isn’t the way it was supposed to happen.

“Daisy, listen to me,” Kieran says, his voice low and steady. “You’re going to be okay. We’re all here.”

I nod, but it’s like I’m underwater. I can barely hear him. I can barely think.

Even the pain of my contractions doesn’t fully connect. I feel like it’s happening to someone else, and I’m just stuck inside their head, watching in a vague kind of way.

Beau bursts into the room, a huge grin on his face despite the situation. But when he sees my face, his smile fades.

“You good, Daisy?” he asks, walking up to the bed and brushing my hair out of my face.

“Not really,” I say, my voice cracking. A strong contraction washes over me, and I cry out in surprise. “I wasn’t ready. It’stoo soon,” I pant in the aftermath, the pain tingling through my nerve endings.

“You’re going to be fine,” Beau says, rubbing my shoulder. “We’re with you, all right? Every step of the way.”

I can barely focus on what he’s saying. The pain is starting to hit now, hard. I squeeze Kieran’s hand tighter.

“I know you’re scared,” Kieran says, his voice so soft I almost don’t hear it. “But we’re here. Just breathe.”

I try to listen to him, but it feels impossible. The pain is overwhelming.