My Tomorrow (Ridge Lane #4)

Prologue

Holly

“Almost there. You’re doing great, mama.

The worst of that contraction’s over.” I reach for the ice chips, handing the cup to Jane as sweat peppers her hairline.

She’s still absolutely stunning. Her water broke a few hours ago in my kitchen as we were pouring coffee.

I called in for a sub, and that was that.

I check my phone. No call from Garrett. He’s likely on the plane.

Me: That plane better go faster! She’s already at a four and getting hella antsy for you.

Thank goodness he’s still in the U.S. and not across an ocean. I’d cry. Brynleigh comes running in with a refill of ice chips, smiling like the sun.

“Good morning, you beautiful bitches! I’m ready to meet my niece!”

“Not until Garrett gets here…” Jane grits through clenched teeth. “I’m going to egg his boss’s car when I get out of here. That motherfu–”

“More ice chips!” I grab the cup from a snickering Brynleigh and shove them under Jane’s nose. She practically snorts like a raging bull at me, and I’m smart enough not to crack a joke.

“He’s on his way. Likely on the plane since he didn’t answer my most recent text. He’ll get here.”

Another contraction begins, and her face scrunches up with a wave of pain. I squeeze her hand, and her eyes peek at me. I remind her to breathe, and naturally, Bryn and I breathe through it with her, smiling when the tension eases from her forehead.

“Great job, sweetie,” Bryn says, wiping Jane’s brow with a cool cloth.

“You guys are the best.” Jane draws out the ‘best’, tossing her head back against the pillows.

“Let’s get you up and moving for a few minutes. Keep things going smoothly,” I offer. The nurse, Annie, this cute little thing around my and Brynleigh’s age, sweeps into the room in her bright purple scrubs.

“I think that’s a fantastic idea, Jane. We want to keep getting that baby ready.”

“I need Garrett,” Jane says fearfully, eyes filling with unshed tears. I know she’s scared he’s not going to make it in time.

“How far out is he?” Annie looks to me in question.

“On the plane, as far as I know.”

“Ok, I understand you’re nervous Jane, but this little girl will come when it’s time. You won’t be alone, and if Garrett’s on the plane, he’s getting here as fast as possible. Dr. Reyes will be in in a minute.”

“Dr. Reyes? Where’s Dr. Widemann?” Jane’s voice rises a notch.

“She’s in Mexico,” Annie says hesitantly before pursing her lips, knowing this is a big change to spring on a woman in labor. Tears build further in Jane’s eyes, but she’s fighting them. No Garrett, no Dr. Widemann. Oh shit…

“Brynleigh, we need the next best thing. Is there another vet in today? If so, call Sydney and have her go get Colin. If he can’t, then get Trystan.”

“He was planning on coming later. Everyone’s trying to get here as soon as they can.”

I toss her a meaningful look.

“On it.”

She grabs her phone to go call one of the soothers of the group. Colin would be great with his extra medical training, but if he can’t get away, Trystan’s up. Surely one of them can get here to help until Garrett can get here.

“Sydney’s on it. She was manning the desk for me anyway, but you guys should catch the hottie out at the nurse’s station.”

“So, who’s going to take Sydney’s place?” I ask, wondering how they’re going to make that work, and curious about said hottie.

“It’s almost lunch. I think they were working on rearranging some appointments so that the other vet can handle it on his own. They’ve done it before. It’ll be okay.”

“Deets, Ellis. I need deets on the hottie,” Jane whispers with her head against the pillows, resting before the next contraction hits.

Brynleigh blinks, not quite used to her new last name, but rebounds quickly with a chuckle.

They didn’t want to wait and weren’t crazy about a big wedding, so we decked her out for a courthouse ceremony followed by lots of pasta back at Marcketti’s.

We plastered the back room as a surprise with twinkle lights.

Jane even turned on some music, and they shared their first dance to Otis Redding’s These Arms of Mine.

They looked so in love, I might’ve choked up a time or two.

Another contraction comes and lasts good and long this time.

When it’s done, Jane kicks off sheets and pulls her gown down so she’s just in her sports bra with the gown covering her bits.

I look down at my phone, then up to Brynleigh. She’s thinking the same thing it appears. We’re getting closer. Jane eyes Bryn expectantly.

“Oh! Tall, dark hair, gorgeous eyes that are either green or blue. I wasn’t close enough to see. He’s got a bit of a five o’clock shadow going, like he’s been here for a good stretch of time already. He was putting on some specs when he sat down. Didn’t get a good look at much else.”

“Oh…that sounds nice…” Jane sighs. “Long enough hair to sink your fingers into or super short?” We giggle as she puts a picture in her head.

“Short on the sides, longer on top. Definitely enough to grab onto.”

“Mmmm…perfect.” Jane reaches for her ice chips.

“I’m not going to have another orgasm for who knows how long.

I’m going to be living vicariously through you bitches.

” A knock sounds on the door, signaling someone entering.

“Be ready to give up the goods. Speaking of, Hollz, what new buzzy monster cock toy did you just get that I totally glimpsed lying on your nightstand when I passed by your room yesterday?”

“Ahem,” a throat clears. We turn to address whoever just walked in on that embarrassing tidbit of information and holy fuckballs. Someone kill me now. Brynleigh also clears her throat. This must be mister tall, dark, and gorgeous.

“And from the look on your face, I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you’re Hollz,” he directs at me, his very green eyes perusing my face as his smile spreads. I have no words. Pretty sure I just squeaked.

“Did Annie leave us?” Jane asks with a snicker as she pulls her gown back up into place. “Oh, and it’s Holly. Hollz for short. She seems to have forgotten how to speak.”

“No, Annie is still your labor nurse. Excuse the pink scrubs. My earlier slacks got doused with amniotic fluid,” he answers while still smiling at me in amusement.

If I open my mouth, I’ll likely just splutter whatever I attempt to say.

“I’m Dr. Reyes. I’m the on-call resident filling in for Dr. Widemann. ”

“So you’re not OB?”

“No, not strictly. This isn’t my normal hospital, but they reached out to me since they’re currently understaffed due to a few vacations, and I have OB experience. It’s a partnering hospital, so I was able to help out.”

“But you have delivered a baby before?”

“Many babies. I’ve practiced in trauma centers, even gave surgery a try.

I didn’t enjoy the high of slicing into skin every day, all day.

I promise I’m not new to this. Annie said you are progressing nicely.

She did an exam recently, so with your waters broken, I don’t like to prod around and disturb that baby until you are much closer to time or it’s necessary.

I’ve been monitoring both of your vitals.

You’re both doing great, and it all seems to be moving as expected.

How are you feeling?” Dr. Sexy slides in to hand the cup of ice chips to Jane, trying to help her feel more at ease.

“Nervous. Hot.”

“All normal, all great signs. Have you been up moving around?”

“Not much. I’m stalling.”

Dr. Reyes makes a confused face.

“Jane, this baby’s coming.”

“Oh, I’m ready for that. I just need Garrett to get here first.”

“Oh, I see. You’re nervous that if you get up and move around, things are going to move too fast?”

Jane nods, chewing on more ice, fresh tears springing to her eyes.

“Do we know where dad is?” Green eyes flash to mine, and I shake my head.

“No, but I’ll try him again to see if he’s off the plane yet.”

Dr. Reyes smiles at me again, and I wonder if he’s imagining a monster cock vibrator in my hand instead of my phone. I must blush again, and he looks like he can read my mind. Oh, damn it.

“Thank you, Holly.”

The way he says my name leaves me feeling all sorts of tingly. He turns his attention back where it belongs, on Jane.

“Do you have any questions for me? Anything you’re nervous about that I can help talk you through?”

My dirty mind says she’s got some things you can help her talk through.

“No, but I appreciate you asking. I just want my husband to get here in one piece before his daughter–” a contraction starts, and Dr. Sexy, I better stop calling him that in my head before I say it out loud, watches her and the monitor, breathing with her.

“You’re doing beautifully, Jane. I’m proud of you. I’ll stop back by in just a little when things start heating up. Call for us if you need anything, or if you change your mind about that epidural. You only have a little bit of a window left to get that if you should so choose.”

“I’m here! How’s my girl?” Garrett comes swinging into the room, disheveled in his suit. He’s already tearing off the navy suit jacket and pulling his tie loose. We never get to see this side of him. He’s always dressed nicely, but this is a whole other level of Garrett.

“About freaking time! I was not ready for Colin to see my pussy!” Jane snorts out as soon as she sees her man.

Said man’s face falls, horrified and so confused as to why Colin would see any part of her bits.

Brynleigh chuckles so hard, I fear she might pee her pants. Admittedly, it was pretty dang funny.

“Wow, dude, you dress that nice for work?” I ask. Dr. Reyes grins at my bold question, holding out his hand to introduce himself to Garrett, who’s still trying to get his bearings.

“Har Har, Hollz. You saw me in slacks and a nice shirt for Colin’s wedding. And Mark’s. Oh–and Bryn’s.” His gaze shifts back to Dr. Reyes. “No Dr. Widemann?” he questions, reading his nametag like he’s trying to figure out the pronunciation.

“Mexico. She returns in two days. And I’m Dr. Reyes, rhymes with keys. It’s the English pronunciation. Most people butcher it and say Ray-ez.”

“Ahh, I see. That’s what I would’ve tried too. Okay then. How are my girls?”

“Doing beautifully. Annie, her nurse, said she was at a four when she checked a little bit ago, but from watching her these past few minutes and seeing all the vitals, I’d say we’ll be closing in on six within an hour or two if she stays at the rate she is.

Now that you’re present, she’ll probably want to get up and start walking more.

She’s been fighting the labor, waiting for you to get here.

She’s definitely ready for a hug, it seems.” Dr. Reyes hitches his chin toward an emotional-looking Jane, who’s glaring at her husband like ‘um, hello?’.

“Right, thanks. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Dr. Reyes says, striding toward the door.

He peers over at me with a smirk before disappearing through it.

Garrett takes a whole three strides and is enveloped in a death grip by Jane.

He kisses her sweetly before bending to greet her belly.

It’s touching. Looking at Brynleigh, she hitches her chin that she agrees we should give them a little time. Brynleigh elbows me on the way out.