Page 52 of The CEO

They watched the kids, with Bree’s pain coming about every twelve to fifteen minutes.

Less than an hour later, Madelyn and Rocky joined them in the backyard. Both gave Bree a kiss on the forehead and a hug, then poured themselves iced tea from the pitcher on the table.

“How are you, Bree?” Madelyn sipped her drink.

“I’m good. You know how I am, you’ve been through this six times,” she said with a laugh.

“Yes, but everyone is different. For me, the pregnancy was somewhat difficult, especially with Megan, but the delivery was a breeze. With you, it is the exact opposite, so in that case, I guess I do understand.”

“I was thinking about Teddy.” Saying it out loud made her eyes tear up.

Madelyn placed a hand on Bree’s arm. “Sweetheart, nothing is happening to this baby. It’s going to be just fine.”

“Have you found out the sex yet?” asked Rocky. “We could use another boy, just to even things out.” He shrugged his shoulders when Madelyn furrowed her brows at him. “What?” He stared at his wife. “I’m just saying…”

Bree smiled. “Well, I’ll do the best I can but that’s sort of out of my hands.” She looked over at Adam.

He simply grinned.

They all laughed.

Suddenly, Bree closed her eyes as the pain hit, taking over her concentration and conversation skills.

Adam frowned. “It’s been less than six minutes since the last contraction. I think we should prepare to head to the hospital.”

Bree nodded. “I think we should get ready to go. Something isn’t right.”

He took her hand and kissed it. “Sweetheart, everything will be fine. He’s just a little anxious to get here, that’s all.”

She nodded. “I know you’re right, but I?—”

Adam kneeled in front of her. “Darling don’t fixate on what might go wrong. Teddy’s birth was an unusual happening. You know that.”

“My brain does know that, but my heart can’t see that far, even though it’s been so long.”

Adam helped her to her feet. “Everything will be fine. We’ll have a beautiful baby, and our family will be complete. You’ll see.”

“I know. I’ll be better.”

He looked at his parents. “Will you stay out here with the kids while we get ready to go?”

“Do you really have to ask?” asked his mother. “You know we will. Just tell us when you’re leaving.”

Adam nodded. “We will. Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you inside.”

Bree looked over at her in-laws. “Thank you both. We truly appreciate you being here for them.” Her gaze swung to where her children had pitched themselves onto the lush green lawn. “It looks like they are having fun. We’ll come say goodbye to everyone before we go.”

Putting his hand at the small of her back, Adam looked at her up and down. “Maybe you should lie down for a bit. You look a little pale.”

She shook her head. “I’m fine, just a bit tired but I can’t get comfortable lying down. If I manage to, a pain will hit, and I’ll have to go through it all again. I’d rather not do that.”

“Okay, sit on the recliner. I’ll get your bag for the hospital and then be right back down.”

She waved him off just as another pain hit. She looked at her watch—four minutes. At this rate, they wouldn’t make it to the hospital before the baby was born.

By the time he returned, she was back to normal, but a little anxious.

“Are you ready? Do you need anything else besides your hospital bag?”