Page 16 of Zin and Celeste: A Fortis Family Christmas

Chapter 7

Celeste stoodby the window looking out at the pitch darkness. The power had gone out about half an hour ago, and there were candles set up around the room. A massive fire was burning in the grate sending out enough warmth to heat the vast room. In any other circumstances it would have been idyllic, but all she could think about was Zin and her brother out there in the cold and possibly hurt.

She was no fool, she knew the injury had to be bad for Zin not to have got back to her yet. He’d move heaven and earth for her and their child, and she knew it. She just hoped he knew how much she loved him, that she had let him know that without him, her heart would shrivel up and die.

Thankfully, her contractions were irregular at this point. They hurt like hell when they hit, but at least they weren’t coming thick and fast. The thought of giving birth to her son without Zin made her want to cry, but she bit back the tears, they would do her nor her son any good. Celeste had to believe it would be okay; the alternative was not worth thinking about.

“Here, drink this.” Celeste turned to see Ava holding out a large mug of hot chocolate. “It will help you warm up and give you some energy.”

Celeste took the drink and cupped it in her hands, soaking in the warmth and comfort as she took a sip. “Thank you. This is delicious.”

She felt Ava wrap her arm around her back and leaned into her friend, wanting the moment of comfort. “How are you holding up?”

“Okay, I guess. Falling apart isn’t an option and accomplishes nothing.”

“That’s my girl. He loves you so much. He’ll do whatever it takes to get back to you, Celeste.”

“I know, I just hate not knowing and the thought of him not being able too because he’s...” Celeste couldn’t finish her sentence, not wanting to voice the words.

“Roz hasn’t left the desk since our guys left and she’s monitoring the watches output constantly. If anything changes, she’ll let you know. Until then don’t borrow trouble.”

Roz had been watching Roz in the glass and knew Ava was right.

A sharp pain ripped across her abdomen, making her gasp and grab her belly, stopping any other thoughts as hot chocolate sloshed onto the floor.

Ava quickly took the mug and handed it off to someone behind her. “Breathe through it. Don’t hold your breath.”

Celeste leaned against the window, going up on tiptoes as if to escape the pain and trying to do as Ava instructed. This contraction was longer and hurt a hell of a lot more. As it began to ebb, Celeste blew out a relieved breath, relaxed back on to her flat feet.

Glancing at Ava, she blinked. “That hurt.”

Ava gave her a wry smile. “Yep, its gonna hurt a lot but when you hold your son in your arms and Zin is beside you, it’ll all be worth it. The love. Oh, Celeste, I can’t explain it.”

“How did you do it? Have Riley on your own?”

Ava looked back at her son and daughter who were playing bricks by candlelight with the other kids as people who loved them looked on. “It was hard. I loved Zack, I never stopped loving him, but I thought he didn’t want us, so I vowed to be both mother and father to our son. Plus, I had my parents who were a godsend. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

“I’m so pleased you found each other again.”

Ava smiled wide, her eyes twinkling with love for her husband, who she knew was taking a risk going out tonight, even as trained as they were.

“Thank you for letting him go out tonight.”

Ava snorted. “As if I could stop him. Zack beats himself up all the time about how he missed out on Riley’s first years and how much he hurt me. It’s why he goes overboard protecting his team and those he loves now. It’s sometimes infuriating but also one of the many reasons why I love him.”

Celeste enjoyed hearing how much Ava and Zack loved each other. And they both knew that if Ava had begged him not to go, he wouldn’t have. He may love his team, but he’d die for his family.

Delilah, who’d been sitting beside her, got up and began to whine, licking Celeste’s hand and bumping her leg with her nose.

Looking down, she smiled. “Hey, girl, what’s wrong? You missing Samson?”

Celeste stroked her fur, but the dog continued to cry softly, looking at her with big soulful eyes. She couldn’t do anything, so she just stroked her and looked at Ava who was watching them both. A twinge alerted her to the beginning of another contraction, and she grabbed Ava’s hand, holding on as her belly went hard, the contraction taking over and making her pant. As it eased away again, she saw Ava check her watch and then glance at Lauren and Mara who was sitting on the couch watching them.

“That was five minutes between contractions, and it lasted longer.”

She went to reply when she felt the slightest popping sensation and felt a gush of liquid as if she’d wet herself soaking her leggings. Celeste looked down in panic as she realised her waters had broken and there was no hope that her contractions would suddenly stop or stay slow until Zin got back, or they had power.

Celeste felt hysteria assail her as she realised, she was having this baby with or without Zin. “My waters!” Her voice shook on the words as everyone around her seemed to remain calm whilst still galvanising into action.