Page 36 of Wolves & Watercolors
“Everything okay?” I yell, shading my eyes with my hand so I can see her reaction.
“Who is that?” Aurora asks, dropping her voice.
“Our nurse.”
Sable throws her hands up, looking irritated. Her sharp voice reaches us clearly. “Just checking on Hazel. Everything’s fine.” From the speed she’s walking, it doesn’t seem fine.
Aurora tenses beside me. “I think I’d like to go check on my sister. Can I join you for some cheese making in a little bit?”
“Of course. It can wait until you’re ready.”
“Thanks.” She strides after Sable. I watch her progress with an unsettled feeling in my chest.
VII . Contractions &
Cheese Curds
Aurora
Hazel’s living room is empty. Voices drift down the stairs. After a short debate, I scale the steps. Hazel sits up in bed with Sable stooping over her as she takes her vitals. Slate hovers beside her, his hands clenching and unclenching anxiously.
“Rory,” Hazel greets me. Her face is placid like nothing is the matter. Slate’s startlingly green eyes shoot up to mine, but he dismisses me and refocuses on his partner.
“Hey sis, how’s it going?” Cautiously, I approach the bed, choosing to stand on the far side out of the way.
Hazel sighs dramatically. “It seems like I might be in early labor, maybe?”
“Are you kidding me?” I brace myself on the bed and look her over.
“Yeah, I think? They might be practice contractions, but they hurt more than they used to.” Her words halt abruptly. She sucks in a breath and holds it. Her nose scrunches up.
Sable moves her hands over her belly and murmurs indistinctly.
“I think it’s most likely early labor,” the older woman declares.
“Holy crap,” I say, sitting down to steady myself.
Sable steps back and folds her hands. “It’ll be a while until you’re in active labor. You’ve got at minimum a few hours, possibly a whole day. You should relax and get a good meal in.”
“Can you get me some chocolate, baby?” Hazel asks, and Slate nods. Without a word, he brushes past Sable and heads out of the room.
“He’s taking good care of you, it seems,” Sable says.
Hazel’s face breaks into a bright smile. “Yeah, he is. I can’t wait for him to be a dad.”
“I’ll be back to check on you in an hour. I think rest is best right now, considering how active you’ve been. If your labor moves slowly, we can consider walking.”
Hazel nods. Satisfied, Sable picks up her bag and heads for the door.
“So it’s baby time?” I ask, crawling across the bed to sit beside my sister.
“I guess so.” Her grin is elated. “You ready to be an auntie?”
“Definitely. And you’re ready to be a mom, so it’s perfect.” I rub circles across her belly. The muscles contract under my handand Hazel inhales sharply again. I can’t help but hold my breath too.
She relaxes. “It’s not bad, really. Mildly uncomfortable.”
“Are you getting pain meds? Can they do that out here?” I ask, alarm raising my voice.
