Page 71 of Love is a Drum Beat
“You might!”
“Have you ever had a baby? It’s not like the movies, Ben. In the real world, most babies give their mommas time to get to the hospital.”
Ben’s jaw softened, but he didn’t slow down until he reached the lobby doors. He handed his keys to the valet. “We need a wheelchair.”
A moment later, a young man pushed an empty chair toward them. Jo barely saw any of the people they passed as she retreated into the panic that hit her.
Not about the labor.
Just the kid.
“I don’t know if I can do this, Ben. What if I screw up like my parents?”
He didn’t stop pushing her through the waiting room. “The fact that you’re worried about that tells me you won’t end up like them.”
They reached the reception desk, and an older woman barely looked up.
“I have a woman in labor here.”
The woman glanced at her, taking in the half-cut hair and scowl. “Has your water broken?”
“Yes!” Jo yelled, panic in her voice. “My doctor should be here. I think I’m having contractions.”
The receptionist frowned. “Young lady, you have many hours of this ahead of you. Can you fill out some paperwork?” She held out a clipboard.
Jo took it with a huff. Ben pushed her to a row of chairs.
“When she’s not looking, we’re going through those double doors.” She pointed to them. “I’m texting my doc now.”
“She’s probably going to let us through in a minute. Jo—”
“Don’t try to stop me, Ben. I’m sitting here with half-cut pink hair, a man who is not my baby daddy, and pants that are damp, and I can’t tell if it’s more water or pee. I’m making a break for it.” She watched until the woman was helping someone else and stood.
“Jo, sit down, I’ll push you.”
“No.” A camera flashed from someone, but Jo didn’t pay them any mind. She used her arms to propel her forward in a form of pregnant speed walking. Ben didn’t leave her side.
The woman yelled behind them, but Jo had the door open. She slipped through, thankful to find Doctor Lawrence on the other side.
“Doc, time to get this baby out of here.” Noah wasn’t there with her, Dax didn’t yet know she was here.
But at least she had one member of Rockstars Anonymous.
She snorted. “I’m guessing you never saw helping the pregnant chick as a part of joining the support group.”
“I didn’t see a lot of things.”
Doctor Lawrence smiled at them as she walked closer. “I have a room ready for you on the labor and delivery floor.” They took the elevator up two floors and stepped out into the quiet hall with only a single woman’s screams echoing off the tile.
“Ben,” Doctor Lawrence started. “I’m afraid I’ll need you to stay in the waiting room since you aren’t family of Jo or the baby.” She looked to Jo. “Unless you want him there.”
She shared a look with Ben. He’d helped her enough. “Can you call Drew and tell him so he doesn’t get mad at me?”
Ben nodded. “I’ll be right down the hall if you need me.”
Doctor Lawrence led Jo into a room that looked just like any other. Sterile. The doctor helped her onto the bed and checked out her… baby hole?
“Well, Jo. It looks like things have definitely started. I’d say we’ll see a baby in twelve hours or so.”
