Page 21 of Her Pucking Devils

“Done,” Rachelle says, bag in hand. “I want you to drink some water in the car if you can, okay?”

“I’ll try.” I wave goodbye to Julia and Emil before I’m out the door in the SUV. I white knuckle it through the pain as Jared drives like a maniac through the streets of San Diego, and I would swear my contractions are getting closer and closer together.

“I’m getting you a wheelchair,” Jared growls, slamming the vehicle into park right in front of the hospital before jumping out.

“These…really…hurt.”

I can’t really speak as well, and Rachelle holds my hand as she nods.

“When your water breaks, everything happens faster, honey. It’s why your doctor wanted you to call her immediately. This little boy wants out and he’s making a hell of a lot of noise to get it.”

I smile weakly as I rub my stomach, my head dropping back as I whimper.

“They’re right on top of each other,” Lili murmurs.

My door opens and I frown as I see Ignacio.

“I’m your chariot, Noor. We followed you over. The nurses are being twats. I’m carrying you up to labor and delivery. Rachelle, grab her phone and call the doctor as we go up, please.”

I’ve managed to gain some healthy weight with my pregnancy, which was a godsend. My baby helped my appetite in ways I haven’t experienced in years. While I wouldn’t say I’m heavy, my stomach makes carrying me awkward.

Still, I let Ignacio get me out of the vehicle and lay my head on his shoulder. He’s a big guy, he can handle it. He breezes past the emergency room bay and around to the main entrance of the hospital.

“Where are you headed, sir?” the woman at the desk asks.

“Maternity. Can I come back to get my visitor badge after I drop off my daughter?” he asks.

“Of course. You have your hands full,” she says with a smile.

“Can I sign him in?” Rachelle asks, hurrying in behind us.

“I just need his ID, dear.”

Rachelle fishes Ignacio’s wallet from his pocket and shoos him away.

“We’re a lot,” I mumble as his long legs cover the distance to the elevator bank easily.

“A three ring circus with strobe lights and aerial silks,” he teases, holding me up with one hand as he jabs at the control panel to call down the elevator. “It typically means people get the hell out of the way and let us work.”

“Noor!” I hear Jared’s voice and he sounds worried.

“I got her!” Ignacio yells back. The elevator pings as the doors open, and he adds, “We’re not asking for permission today. I’m headed up.”

“Thank god. See you soon.”

“He got stuck doing paperwork with the front desk lady,” Ignacio whispers, entering the elevator.

“Ow. Fuck. Shit,” I whimper, closing my eyes as pain washes over me.

“You’re doing so good. Keep breathing. Rachelle and Liliana swore that holding our girls helped after everything. We’re almost there.”

Tears leak down my cheeks as I feel intense pressure in my lower pelvis. “Something feels different,” I gasp.

“We’ll get you checked out by a nurse,” Ignacio promises. “We just have two more floors to go.”

I did the paperwork before this when I did a tour of the hospital. It’s why Jared shouldn’t have had to worry about anyone bothering him, especially not for a wheelchair.

“We’re here, Noor.”