AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nod. “I was worried we’d end up stepping on each other’s toes, but we’ve got our own space, so it’s not too bad.”
“That’s good. I’m glad to hear it.”
“I have to freshen up on ballet lingo, though. A girl came in a few days ago going on and on about how she broke her toe doing a fouetté. What the heck’s a fouetté?”
Eve smiles at me fondly. “If only you knew a ballerina you could ask.”
“If only.”
“I guess I can help you out if I’ve got the time.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. I’d appreciate that.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t want to open your own practice.”
I shrug. “Pops is getting up there in years. We haven’t talked about it in great detail, but he’s considering retiring in a couple of years. If he does, I might be able to take over for him at the academy. I mean, I can always open up my own practice on the side. I’m sure I can juggle both. Lord knows Haven could use another doctor.”
Eve’s expression falls ever so slightly. I can tell she’s putting on a brave face for my sake, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I guess…I guess this is all so wonderful that it doesn’t feel real. The baby’s on the way, we’re all settled into the house, you’re getting the hang of things at work.”
“But?” I urge gently.
“What if when I return to dancing, I’m worried I won’t be around for the little guy as much as I want?”
“We can always hire a nanny, Eve. I’m sure we can find someone at a decent price.”
Eve shakes her head. “The money’s not the issue. I just can’t stand the thought of leaving him behind to pursue my own passions.”
I reach across the table and take her hand, giving her fingers a light squeeze. “We’ll make it work, I promise. Our boy’s going to grow up surrounded by people who love him. You, me, my parents, A-Ma. Okay?”
“It doesn’t make me a bad mother?”
“Sweetheart, the fact that you’re already concerned about this and the kid isn’t even here yet tells me you’re a better mother than most.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” I raise her hand and kiss the back of her fingers. “Besides, I’m going to be right here with you. Every step of the way.”
Eve sighs contently and gives me a gentle smile. “I know. I guess it’s just the pre-baby jitters talking.”
“Talk to me about them. You’ll feel better.”
“I guess I’ve been thinking a lot about his schooling. If he’ll be good at sports. I want to start saving for his college fund, but I don’t know if he’ll even want to go. I’m thinking about all these future situations like his first girlfriend.”
“Or boyfriend.”
“Yes, or boyfriend. I’m thinking about what kind of sports he’ll play, or if he’d rather join the school band instead. I can’t stop thinking about him driving a car for the first time. About you and I sitting him down for the talk.”
I chuckle. “It’s exciting, huh?”
Eve nods and smiles wide. “It is. I’m so excited that I don’t know what to do with myself, you know? The possibilities are endless.”
I lean over and plant a kiss on her cheek. “We’re ready,” I tell her in a soft voice. “Whatever happens, we’ve got this.”
She kisses me back on the lips, giggling into it. “Yeah. We’ve got this.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Eve
It’s the morning of our fourth day at the bed and breakfast when it happens. It’s probably not even five in the morning, judging by how dim the sky still is outside our bedroom window.
At first I think I’ve accidentally wet the bed. The baby’s been playing kickball with my bladder a lot lately, so it’s the first thing that comes to mind. Except I’m soaking and the cramps I’m nursing feel way more intense than I’m used to. I sit up and toss the covers aside.
My suspicions are immediately confirmed. The baby’s early.
“Nate,” I breathe, my heart racing so hard in my chest that it threatens to rattle loose. I grab Nate by the shoulder and shake him as hard as I can. “Nate, the baby’s coming.”
“Huh, wha—” Nate mumbles as he wakes. “What?”
“My water just broke.”
Nate jumps out of bed so fast that he defies the rules of physics, landing with a surprising amount of agility for a man his size.
“Mrs. McBrindle!” he shouts at the top of his lungs. “Call nine-one-one! We need an ambulance!”
He runs around the foot of the bed to get to me, immediately propping me up with pillows. He’s surprisingly calm, all things considered. Though he looks absolutely frazzled what with his hair flat on one side from sleeping and his gray sleep shirt all wrinkled at the edges.
“Everything’s going to be okay,” he tells me, brushing my hair back with his fingers. His cool hands are a momentary relief against my blazing skin. “Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth. Eve, look at me.”
