Page 60 of Say I'm Yours, Firecracker

“I think Ronnie’s in labor.” I whispered, just in case I was wrong. Please, let me be wrong. I wasn’t ready, fuck, was she ready? My thoughts began like a tilt-a-whirl spinning through my head.

Aaron whistled low, “you think?”

“She was chanting ‘no, no, no’, so yeah. I think it’s time.” I ground out, trying and failing to contain my panic. The door flew open and Bellamy’s usually tan skin was ashen, her eyes wide.

“What’s wrong?” I was a good foot and a half taller than Ronnie’s short friend, but I couldn’t see Ronnie. Was she on the floor? “Ronnie!” I bellowed.

I could just hear her sniffle, that was all it took. I grabbed Bellamy’s shoulders and moved her as gently as possible towards Aaron. Ronnie was on the toilet, tears streaming down her beautiful face. Legs splayed wide, water dotted the dress Bellamy had gotten her just for today.

“Ronnie," I said, kneeling on the bathroom floor in front of her. Wetness dampened my dress slacks. I didn’t have time to think about whatever that fluid was though. Unable to ask if she was okay, it was obvious she wasn’t.

“Come on,” I grabbed her hands. They were fisted in the dress, knuckles turning white. Prying them open so the dress would at least cover her, I pulled her up and walked her out of the cramped space, she doubled over, groaning and panting. She was definitely in labor.

Looks like all those awkward as fuck labor classes paid off.

“Follow us to the hospital after you get everyone out.” I gripped Ronnie under her knees and pulled her up into my arms bride style. No way would she make it to the truck and actually be able to get into it.

She didn’t protest, and didn’t make much noise other than the occasional groan of pain. I managed to get the truck door unlocked and placed her as gently as possible on the seat before buckling her in.

She scream-cursed in pain, clutching herself under her bump. Contractions, I had done enough classes I could probably teach one by now.

“We’ve got this.” I whispered against her forehead. “Me and you.”

I leaned back, searching her teary eyes and she nodded.

I ran around the front of the truck and hopped into the driver’s seat. Cranked the old bastard, and took off out of the gravel lot behind her work place. It didn’t take us long to make it to the little hospital in between the big city and the quarter.

I drove right up to the emergency doors, under the concrete awning of the hospital drive. Tires screeching to a halt, I threw the gear shift into park and flew over to Ronnie’s side.

Carrying her into the hospital. She was pale, and her groans of pain had become a little more whimper than groan.

“Labor and delivery, we need a room.” I shouted as I made my way toward the nurses station. In this little town, the emergency room only had two or three people sitting in the waiting area.

“Sir, you’ll have to wait until I can get a room ready.” The nurse said, without looking up. She continued to type on her keyboard, nails clicking on the keys.

Ronnie let out a howl of pain that startled me more than I want to admit. She was writhing in my arms, panting and groaning. God, I hated this. Bringing a baby into the world was no joke. It’s why I took all those labor classes without Ronnie knowing. I wanted to be a solid partner in this, for her.

“Lady, point me in the direction of a delivery room.” I was ready to rip this woman's head off her shoulders if she didn’t get Ronnie taken care of immediately. I paced the waiting area, trying my damndest not to jostle Ronnie.

I wanted to wipe her brow of the little beads of sweat there, but if I moved too much she’d whimper and my heart would jolt.

“Finn!” I turned my head just enough to catch Bellamy bounding towards us. “What’s taking so long? I thought she’d be in a room by now!”

She turned her death glare on the nurse at my nod. I was suddenly glad she was here. This was becoming more than I thought I could handle. Ronnie let out another coarse breath, I could hear her gritting her teeth. “Bell.” She managed after a beat.

“I’m here.” Bellamy said, as softly as I had ever heard her speak. She turned back towards the nurse and I knew shit was about to get worse. “If you don’t get her in a room right now, I will find one by my damn self.” Her voice was steady, and it even gave me chills.

I couldn’t imagine what this nurse felt. Not when her fingernails stilled over the keyboard and her wide eyes found a fuming Bellamy.

“Room 206 is ready. A nurse should be here in a few to get her.” She gulped, I watched her throat work, but I didn’t feel sorry for her. She didn’t seem to care about Ronnie, or the obvious pain and discomfort she was in.

“Don’t bother.” I said, taking off towards the elevator bank. If I remembered correctly, the labor and delivery unit was on the second floor. I punched the elevator button and we all piled in. “Where’s Aaron?”

“He’s moving your truck. It was still running when we got here,” she said, running the back of her hand over Ronnie’s forehead. Offering her comfort in the only way she could at the moment. “He’ll be in once he parks it.”

I let out a haggard breath. At least he would be here. I knew he wouldn’t dare come in the room if Ronnie was ready to push, but just knowing my best friend was here settled the nerves in me.

“It….hurts.” Ronnie whimpered. I was too scared to hug her tighter to my chest, so I placed a kiss on her nose.

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