Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
“Oh no,” I whispered as I watched Finn’s knees give out. The nurse called out for help, and the doctor spun around in time to catch Finn, but Preston slipped from Finn’s arms and went down again.
“Get some help to get these guys over to the sofa,” the doctor said, and a nurse left the room.
Focusing in on me, the doctor smiled. “Sister?” My mouth opened, but not a damn thing came out.
Harmony started breathing heavily again. “The baby wants out! Now!” she yelled.
I pressed my lips together and shook my head. The doctor laughed. “Well, you are now. Stand over there and help her.”
It felt like I had walked into a brick wall. What did he say? He can’t possibly think I can… No. I don’t even know Harmony!
The nurse came in with two guys who helped to bring Preston and Finn over to the sofa. “Why…why aren’t they waking up?” I asked.
The nurse walked over to me and guided me back to Harmony’s side. “Sweetie, I know you just met her, but you’re all she has.”
All the air in the room vanished. “Rory?”
I quickly turned and looked at Harmony. Her hand was reached out to mine as the doctor said, “Get ready to push, Harmony.”
With a smile on my face, I took her hand and wiped her damp hair away from her forehead. My own forehead was covered in sweat as I took in a deep breath. Never in a million years would I have ever pictured myself helping a stranger during childbirth.
Squeezing her hand lightly, I helped her sit up as we looked into each other’s eyes. I saw the excitement, but also the fear: Her husband was passed out, and she was about to bring a baby into the world.
“You ready?” I asked.
She smiled and nodded her head as she said, “I’m going to kill him.”
“I’ll help you!”
“Harmony,” the doctor said, “one good push. On three.”
Holding her hand and rubbing her back, I softly whispered, “You’ve got this, Harmony. Your baby is almost here.”
Harmony grunted and pushed with everything she had. I wasn’t even aware of how hard she was squeezing my hand as I watched the doctor.
“There she is!” the doctor called out as Harmony and I both started crying. Harmony dropped back against the bed in exhaustion.
The doctor asked, “Are you cutting the cord?”
“What?” I asked in a panicked voice.
When I looked up, Preston was standing there, tears streaming down his face. He took the scissors and cut the cord as I covered my mouth and cried harder.
He’d woken up! Just in time.
I took a step back and watched everything play out. The nurse placed the baby directly onto Harmony’s chest, and the newborn instantly stopped crying and gazed up into her mother’s eyes. It was one of the most beautiful and amazing things I’d ever seen in my life.
“What’s her name, Mom and Dad?” the nurse asked.
With tears rolling down her cheeks, Harmony whispered, “Presley.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off them. Preston covered both Harmony and Presley in kisses and promised them both the moon and stars. My chest grew tight as I realized I wanted this. Maybe not right now…but I wanted it. The love between the three of them was so strong you could feel it in the room. A part of me was jealous to see the happiness that flowed around this tiny little family. It was a dream I always knew I wanted, but never imagined I’d want this much.
My eyes drifted over to the sofa, where I saw Finn crying while he watched the exchange. It took everything I had to stay standing. My chest felt heavy as a burning desire I’d never experienced before filled my entire body.
I needed air.
Quickly making my way out of the room, I rushed to the elevator and hit the button. With a peek over my shoulder, I sighed in relief when I didn’t see Finn. The doors opened and I practically ran in. The second the doors closed, I took in a long, deep breath. My eyes closed, and the only thing I saw was Finn. His smile. The way his eyes seemed to go dark right before he kissed me. The feel of his hands on my body.
Too fast.
It was all happening too fast.
Finn
She just left
It didn’t take me long to realize Rory had left the room. I quietly slipped out and headed to the waiting room, expecting her to be there. When my mother, sister, and father all got off the elevator, they made a beeline straight to me.
I smiled, and my mother instantly started crying.
“It’s a beautiful, healthy baby girl. They’re spending some time alone together. If you guys let the nurse know you’re here, I’m sure it won’t be long before you can pop in and see her and Harmony.”