Page 127 of Falling Together

It’s hard to get anything done. The pain in my lower back woke me up early and hasn’t quit.

“Hey, Georgia. You want to come to the ranch for lunch?”

Joey bounces her way into the barn. She’s grinning from ear to ear. Sometimes it’s hard to be around my friends when they’re so happy.

“Ugh. I don’t think I can move. Can you bring me something?”

“Are you okay?” Her smile drops. “Everything alright with the baby?”

“I’m just exhausted,” I tell her, rubbing my stomach.

“Maybe a walk in the fresh air will help. Rex made a healthy lunch for you that I think you’ll enjoy,” she says.

“Any reason you want me to come to the main lodge?” I ask, eyeing her as she grabs my coat.

“I’m just looking after you. And maybe trying to get you away from all this planning.” She waves her hand around.

“Fine. But lunch better be good.”

That lights her face back up. “I promise, it will be.”

She holds on to me as we make the slow trek from the barn to the lodge. “Did you feel this terrible when you were this close to the end?”

Joey nods. “Yes. I felt like a blimp. And Max wouldn’t stop kicking my ribs. It’s terrible.”

“Oh, yeah. This baby is using my bladder as a trampoline. I wish he would stop.”

“There’s still plenty of⁠—”

“Ooh!”

“What’s—oh shit.”

A sudden pop followed by a warm rush down my leg tells me the one thing I wish wouldn’t happen has happened.

“Did my water just break?” I ask.

“Oh my God. I think it did.”

“Oh my God,” I repeat. “I’m not due for another four weeks.”

“We’re almost there. Keep walking and when we get there, we’ll take you to the hospital.”

“I can’t believe this is happening.” I wince. “I still have another month to go.”

“Babies don’t care about your timelines, G.”

Joey holds the door open to the lobby and I collapse into the first seat I find.

“Are you okay?” Presley is at the front desk and comes rushing over.

“No. My water broke.”

“Oh my God. We need to get you to the hospital,” she shrieks. “Let me find my keys.”

“I’m getting them!” Joey calls back from the office. “Call Rylee and she can meet us there.”

“On it.”