Page 61 of Derecho

The girls spent the afternoon upstairs, rearranging things in a way that made sense to them. And after dinner, Lainey and Birdie had disappeared upstairs again. I’d heard some laughter, but mostly there were just a lot of footfalls on the ceiling while I got more Juniper time with Beau.

“Thanks for all that help, I feel…settled about everything now.” I heard Lainey say as she came down the stairs. Juniper was resting her head on Beau’s chest, and I knew we were all going to have to come to a conclusion here soon on the best course of action for Lainey and the baby.

“I’m so glad we could help. Beau and I got the whole ‘here’s a baby, take care of her now’ experience, and it’s just good to be prepared this close to your due date.”

“It’s not that close, thankfully.”

“Babies come when they’re ready…it’s hard to know when you get this far along.”

“Juniper looks like she’s ready for bed,” Lainey mentioned as she sat on the sofa. “It was really nice of you guys to stay for dinner, but don’t you want to get her home before the storm gets worse?”

My brother looked at Birdie, who looked back at Lainey, not hiding her concern.

“I do think it’s time to take Juniper home, but…”

“But what?” Lainey asked, sitting forward to adjust the pillow behind her back. I reached over, pulling it up like I’d seen her do a bunch of times before.

“Thanks.” Her smile gutted me, knowing what I was about to say to her.

“Lainey,” Birdie started to say, “I think you should come with us.”

“Why would I do that?” Lainey’s hand rested low on her bump. “I’ve still got to organize some of the stuff that Hawk and Jessie left for the baby.”

“I know, but you've been in pain today. And with the storm coming through⁠—”

“I am not having the baby tonight. Is that why you insisted I pack a bag?” She laughed at the question. “No. No. Don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine.”

“I think you need to listen to your sister⁠—”

Her eyes widened as she shifted her hips. “You don’t want me to stay here?”

“Of course I do. You should be where you feel safe, but if the baby comes…”

“This is where I feel safe.” She turned back to Birdie. “Lach and I both have phones and are perfectly capable of calling you—or an ambulance—if we need to.”

My mind hated the idea of Lainey being in labor and having to call for help. Because I wouldn’t be any help in that situation. I could already feel the panic buzzing low under my skin. “Trouble, I might not be the best person…if I get stuck in a compulsion…”

“That’s why I said we’ll call someone. That’s been the plan all along. First babies take a long time once labor starts, don’t they, Birdie?”

“They can, but⁠—”

“Good. Go home. Rest. Stay safe from the storm. That’s exactly what I’m going to do, too. And we’ll laugh about this tomorrow when I’m still pregnant and almost as big as this house.”

Lachlan

Lainey had been quiet since Birdie and Beau left. I was trying not to hover, but I think she was getting frustrated with me asking if she was okay every time she shifted on the sofa. I was trying to not over analyze everything as we sat in the living room—like we did every night since she moved in—staring at the TV. But there was no friendly competition tonight to see who could come out on top at Jeopardy! No funny banter or any sassy comments from her.

I tried not to notice the way she was sitting, her back rigid and her shoulder tense. I hated that I might be the reason why she seemed to be feeling so uncomfortable. Her hand had even been rubbing absentmindedly over her belly for the better part of an hour.

“Did you want some chocolate pie?” I asked, finally unable to take the silence any longer.

“No. Thank you, though. I actually think I’m going to turn in,” Lainey answered.

“Are you feeling okay? Have you taken your blood pressure recently?”

“Yeah. It’s been really stable. I just hate storms, and I’m hoping I can sleep through this one.”

I nodded. “Make sure you put your phone on the charger. Oh, I put a battery powered lamp in your room in case the power goes out.”