Page 103 of The Librarian and Her Alphas

“They’re coming!” I wail, panic mounting. “I don’t have my bag. This isn’t supposed to happen like this!”

“I’m going to call 911,” Annabelle says frantically. “Hold on for me, Lena. I promise we’ll get your babies here safely.”

She dials the phone and puts it on loudspeaker.

“911, what is your emergency?” the dispatcher says coolly.

“We’re at Willowstone Library,” Annabelle says smoothly, guiding the emergency services to our location. “There’s a woman here in active labor. It’s multiples—four babies. We need help immediately.”

“How far apart are the contractions?” the dispatcher asks.

“Three minutes, I think,” I say, groaning and grimacing in pain as another one hits.

“Okay, honey, I’m going to need you to breathe,” the dispatcher says calmly. “I’m going to talk to your friend through the birth. The ambulance is on the way as we speak.”

Annabelle’s eyes meet mine, and I can see the panic within her gaze. “Lena, listen to me. I know this isn’t your plan, but we’ll get through it. Breathe with me.”

I nod, desperately trying not to freak out. Anything might happen. Panicking only makes the contractions speed up.

“You can do this, Lena,” Paige says with conviction, gripping my hand as I scream. “We’ve got you. We’ll make sure everything is all right.”

“Make sure there’s nothing in the way when you start to push,” says the dispatcher.

I scramble to push down my maternity pants and panties, and Annabelle grabs them, tucking them away safely for me. I spread my legs wide, not even bringing myself to care that my vagina is on full display to my friends.

I just want to deliver these babies. Tears stream down my face as the pressure below increases.

“It’s almost time. Listen to me carefully, honey. I need you to do exactly as I tell you, okay?” the dispatcher says.

Another contraction grips me, stronger this time, tearing through me with such intensity that I scream. Sweat beads on my forehead, dripping down my temples as my body instinctively pushes.

Annabelle ducks her head between my legs to see what’s happening.

“The first one is coming, Lena. Push now,” Annabelle urges. Her calmness soothes me, giving me courage even though I’m scared out of my mind.

“That’s it!” Paige says. “Push, girl, push!”

I bear down, pushing with all I’ve got until the pressure relieves. Moments later, a shrill cry pierces the air, and tears come to my eyes, overjoyed that one of my babies is safely out. The chaos of the fight behind us fades into the background as Annabelle hands the squirming bundle to Paige, who wraps the baby girl in her cardigan.

“There’s one baby,” the dispatcher cries happily over the phone.

Another powerful contraction takes hold of me, and I scream in pain. It’s like a ring of fire stretching me, and I can’t do anything to stop it.

“You need to push, Lena. You’re doing amazing,” Annabelle coaches me softly, still talking urgently to the dispatcher.

Closing my eyes, I bear down as hard as I can while I scream. I never wanted it to be this way. Not at all.

Suddenly, a shrill cry sounds, and I know the second baby is here. I open my tear-drenched eyes, crying and laughing when I see the baby boy.

“A boy!” Annabelle declares and lays him against my chest.

During the brief respite, I turn to Paige. “Paige, what are my men doing right now?”

“They have the guy with the gun cornered. They’re going to finish this,” she says as she looks out the storage room’s door.

The update gives me strength, and I bear down again as I get ready to deliver the rest of my babies.

The third and fourth babies arrive swiftly, another girl and boy, one after the other, and their sweet cries are like music to my ears amidst the snarls and growls from the library.

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