Page 3 of Coyotes Ever After

“You don’t know!” My face contorts in an ugly cry. “Just check, Mila.”

The elevator doors open and I’m wheeled out. A nurse in dark-pink scrubs smiles as she approaches us and takes over the wheelchair handles.

“I’m Stella Hogan,” I say through my tears. “I’m thirty-nine weeks.”

“I know. Your friend called ahead to tell us you were coming. Dr. Halverson is on her way. I’m Erin.”

“I had Quentin call,” Mila says from...somewhere.

I turn to find her. She’s walking behind us, looking like she’s about to chair a board meeting in her charcoal business suit and black heels, her arms crossed.

“Thanks,” I say weakly.

“How far apart are the contractions?” Erin asks as she pushes the wheelchair into a room.

“Super close. I think the baby might be crowning,” I practically wail.

“Four minutes and fifteen seconds,” Mila says. “This is her first baby.”

Erin helps me get onto a bed, Mila walking around to stand on my other side.

“We’re going to get you hooked up to a monitor,” Erin says. “How are you feeling, Stella?”

I meet her eyes, about to tell her I’m doing fine, when my throat tightens with frantic tears as I feel another painful contraction starting. They get more intense each time.

“I want Ben. I want my husband and he’s not going to be here.”

Mila explains to her where Ben is and how he’s trying to make it back and Erin gives a sympathetic hum.

Crying so hard while panting and moaning through the contraction makes me into an even bigger mess. Erin takes my hand and leans down close to me.

“It’s okay, Stella. Just breathe and try to relax. I know it’s hard. Your husband is on his way. I’ll be here with you every step of the way, okay?”

I’m flooded with the pain of my miscarriage. The absolute devastation of hearing that nothing could be done and I was losing the baby Ben and I wanted so badly. Ben cried when I told him the news. We’d started a nursery and told everyone we were expecting.

Why are these memories hitting right now? I’m supposed to be happy. The baby is developed enough that it’s safe for me to deliver.

“I’m scared. I’m scared something will be wrong with the baby and Ben won’t be here.” The words come spilling out of me and I finally make the connection about why I can’t stop crying and panicking. “I need Ben. I can’t do this without Ben.”

I’m blubbering, waiting for Erin to remind me again about breathing and relaxing, but it’s Mila who leans down close to me this time, and her tone is nowhere near as soothing as Erin’s.

“Listen to me, Stella. You’re a mother now. It’s the hardest, most rewarding role in all of humanity. You will never put yourself first again because your kids are part of your soul. And right now, you’re all this baby has. Ben’s not here. You’re it. And you’re a lot stronger than you think. Stop crying and get your fucking head on straight. You putting yourself into a panic is bad for your blood pressure, and that’s bad for your baby. You listen to Erin and do every fucking thing she tells you to do. She says breathe, you breathe. For your baby.”

I nod, immediately taking a deep breath in through my nose and out through my mouth. The haze of panic is gone now. I’m grounded in what’s really happening. I’m in a great hospital, and Mila and Erin are here to help me. My doctor is on the way.

This isn’t what I planned, but Mila is right. This isn’t a time to fall apart. My baby needs me.

CHAPTER TWO

Ben

Rain peltsthe car’s windshield as I change lanes, scowling at the slow driver I’m passing. I’m twenty minutes away from the airport, but it feels like an eternity.

This was my worst fear. Not only is Stella in labor and I’m not home, but all flights out of Tampa are grounded. Throughout her pregnancy, I’ve assured her that I can get a quick flight out of any city I’m in so I can be there.

My heart’s been racing since she left me a message that she was going to the hospital. I’ve tried to call her more than a dozen times since then, but she hasn’t answered.

I haven’t even been able to tell her I’m on the way. My phone was on silent during a team meeting when she called. Telling her how much I love her and promising I’m on the way in phone messages isn’t enough.

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