Page 217 of Even Exchange

“Yes, he’s dead,” Noah assures me. “I didn’t miss this time.”

Sadness surrounds my soul at everything Noah’s been through.

The front door bursts open, and two men run in, guns at the ready. My pulse skyrockets, and I grip Noah with a squeal. My body shakes as I dig my face into his chest.Please, don’t hurt us.

“They’re cops,” Noah tells me.

“What?” My eyes widen, darting to the crimson floor.Will they believe it was self-defense?

“I called them,” he adds, calming my anxiety. Of course he did.

Pain racks through me again, and I fold over.

“We need to get her to a hospital,” Noah tells them, and I glance up noting that I do in fact recognize the men. It’s Elijah’s father, the Longwood Sheriff, and his son, Cole Danvers, a deputy.

“Looks like you need one too,” Sheriff Danvers says as Noah cradles his arm.

“See?” I cry through what I’m assuming is another contraction.

“Soffione,” Noah grits through his teeth. “Now is not the time for I told you so’s.”

“Go,” Sheriff Danvers says, ushering us out. “We’ll call this in.”

“It was self-defense,” I tell him through the pain.

“We know,” he assures us.

Noah releases me, using his good arm to grab the hospital bag, and we rush outside. Elijah, Theo, and Sophia are in the driveway, and I don’t have time to ask questions.

“Oh my god,” Sophia shrieks, noting the blood on us.

Our eyes connect, both slick with moisture. “It’s not mine,” I assure her, shaking my head as the tears burst free. “It’s not mine,” I repeat, quieter.

“We need a hospital,” Noah tells them, gripping me tight, and Theo grabs the bag from his hand.

“Get in the truck,” Elijah says, and we rush towards it.

My due date isn’t for another month, but it’s no surprise she’s coming early given the?—

Oh, fuck. It’s happening again.

* * *

Seventeen hours and an epidural later, I’m holding our little one in my arms. Ten fingers. Ten toes. And air in her lungs. We were terrified her oxygen levels would be low, but the staff assured us they’re in perfectly healthy range.

The emotions we’ve endured the past twenty-four hours are nothing short of horrific, but this remains the most incredible moment of my life.

Noah smiles, pulling me back to the present. His gaze is adoring as he brushes my hair back with his good arm, his opposite shoulder wrapped and in a sling. Fortunately he only needed stitches as the shot was through and through. He’s banned us from discussing his injury until I’m recovered. “You did so good,tesoro.”

“I still can’t believe I shot you on herbirthday,” I say with a shaky laugh now that we’re hopefully moving forward from the darkness.

He grins. “She wanted to come into this world with a bang.”

“Aww,” I say, grinning up at him. “Your first official dad joke.” Even in the darkest of days, he’s my light. Now I understand why Luna calls himsole mio.

“Do we have a name?” the nurse asks.

Noah’s adoring eyes meet mine. “Gabriella Sole.”

---