Page 68 of The Wisteria Tree Cottage

‘This would be a beautiful place to give birth to our son,’ Emma said.

Her husband paled at this. ‘No way, we’re having this baby in a hospital surrounded by doctors and nurses.’

Emma suddenly gripped her stomach again, groaning with the pain of another contraction.

‘You might not have much choice,’ Meadow said. ‘Quinn is on his way.’

‘Meadow!’ Bear called from downstairs. ‘The paramedics are here.’

‘Thank God,’ Jason said.

‘Bring them up,’ Meadow called.

She heard footsteps on the stairs and a man and woman dressed in green entered the room. Bear stood at the doorway, looking on anxiously.

‘All right love, how you feeling? How far apart are your contractions?’ the female paramedic said.

‘I’m not sure,’ Emma said.

‘About five minutes,’ Meadow said.

‘OK, let’s get you on the bed for a moment just so we can have a look.’

Meadow moved to the door, Emma didn’t need a huge bunch of strangers gawping at her undercarriage. ‘We’ll be downstairs if you need anything.’

She and Bear went back downstairs.

Bear put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Are you OK?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Is it bringing it all back?’

‘Yes, the panic and uncertainty, I remember it like it was yesterday. They must be so scared.’

Bear enveloped her in a huge hug, holding her close, and she realised she was trembling slightly as she leaned her head against his chest and slid her arms round his back. When Jason had said the baby was premature, that fear she had felt eight years before had slammed into her again. All the appointments, all the books, all the prenatal classes, none of it could prepare you for giving birth to your baby ten weeks early. She had never felt fear like it. Bear held her there for the longest time, not relinquishing his hold, and she knew she loved this man with everything she had. And tonight, when they were alone, she would tell him.

She eventually stepped back. ‘Thank you.’

‘Always.’

‘Listen, I should stay here, just in case they need anything, but you get off and take Star camping. She’s been so excited about it all day, I’d hate for her to miss it and there’s no point in both of us being here.’

‘I’m not leaving you.’

She smiled. ‘Bear, I’m not the one having this baby. I’ll be fine.’

Bear sighed and looked at his watch. ‘Are you sure? I can wait a bit longer.’

‘No, go, I promise I’m all good. The paramedics are here, I’ll just be on warm water and clean towel duty if they need me.’

‘OK, well if you need me, for anything, even if it’s just another hug, call me,’ Bear waved his mobile at her and she nodded.

He bent his head and kissed her on the cheek and then with a wave he left. She listened to the voices up above to try to ascertain what was going on but everyone seemed fairly calm. They weren’t telling Emma to push just yet but it didn’t seem like they were making any move to get her to the hospital either so it looked like they were going to have their first treehouse birth. Meadow looked at her watch. It was going to be a long night.

CHAPTERFORTY-FIVE

‘So what do we do if we see the dog?’ Star asked, clutching her camera, her notebook lying open in her lap.

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