Page 65 of Coastal Rewind

We all nodded and relaxed for a moment before Keegan winced again and cried out.

“Nope,” Rori said, standing and reaching to help Keegan to her feet. “We’re taking you to the hospital.”

Keegan attempted to protest, but cowered over in pain only a few minutes later. We rushed out of the pool and threw our clothes on. Maeve dialed Luke and explained to him what was happening as Keegan started waddling through the house.

“Luke is meeting us at the hospital. Let’s go.”

Maggie and Lottie hopped into Mason’s SUV with me as Maeve and Rori helped Keegan into Maeve’s Tesla. My entire body started to shake. It was a mix of adrenaline and worry that my sister was about to give birth in a sparkly pink electric car.

I was grateful we had a doctor in the family now who was looking out for Keegan as we sped to the hospital. We made it in record time, and I pulled the car into an open spot as Rori and Maeve helped Keegan out of the car. Luke was already standing at the entrance waiting for us.

Keegan cried out again as nurses approached with a wheelchair. Rori went into full doctor mode when she told the nurses the time of her contractions and a few other things I wasn’t able to comprehend since my focus was solely on Keegan.

The nurses got her registered and into a room in a flash. My head felt a little light and my fingers were going numb at the sound of beeping monitors and the sterile smells. Memories of visiting my mom flooded back to me as I stood there in a daze. Memories of seeing her lose her life slowly in a hospital bed. Visions of my dad crying into her stomach. The walls felt like they were closing in and my vision was hazy.

A doctor walked in and Keegan screamed out in pain, pulling me back to the moment.

“Okay, Mrs. Kelly, are we ready to have a baby?” she asked as the nurse helped her get gloves on.

Keegan shook her head no as tears streamed down her face. “It isn’t time yet.”

“Funny thing about this is that we really have no say in when it’s time,” the doctor replied as the nurses situated Keegan’s legs.

Luke was gripping Keegan’s hand and whispering into her ear as she started to panic.

“Okay, I think it’s time the rest of you head out to the waiting room to give Mom some space. Are you Dad?” She looked at Luke who nodded. She looked back at Keegan. “Is your Mom here, sweetie? She can come in too if you’d like.”

Keegan’s eyes widened and she looked directly at me. She reached her hand out and whispered, “Ryleigh.”

I sucked in a breath and took her hand. “Me? Are you sure?”

She nodded as she screamed out again.

I gripped her hand tighter and crouched down to look her in the eyes. “You can do this, Keegs. You’re so strong.”

She nodded at me as the doctor instructed her to push.

Luke looked a little faint as Keegan continued to scream out in pain. This was all happening so fast there wasn’t even time for an epidural.

Thirty minutes later, a faint cry filled the air and I felt the tears falling. I leaned down and kissed Keegan’s forehead.

“You did so good, Mama.”

A bundle of pink blankets appeared in Keegan’s arms and I watched as Luke crowded around her and the little baby girl. I stepped back, ready to turn and let them have a moment alone together, but Keegan grabbed my hand.

She gestured to me with her head so I leaned down and took in my niece for the first time.

She was perfect.

Seven pounds and two ounces of little wrinkly cuteness.

Keegan glanced up at Luke who dipped his chin. Her eyes found mind as she said, “We want to ask you something.”

I swallowed and looked at my sister.

“You’re the oldest, so if you aren’t okay with it we have other names, but we wanted to name her Marnie.”

I choked on a sob. Marnie was my mom’s nickname. I knew Keegan and Luke were asking me in case I wanted to use that name one day. The name deserved to be kept alive—it wouldn’t die because I was holding onto an impossible dream.