Chapter 25 #2
“Well, for the charity we’re working on, of course,” Sedgwick answers, but his face falls as his eyes meet Tanner’s. “Was I not supposed to say?”
“I was going to tell you about it,” Tanner replies smoothly, a quiet confidence in his tone that comforts me. “It’s all just come about the last couple of days. Sedgwick and I only came up with a name for it yesterday.”
“What kind of charity?”
Sedgwick answers. “It’s called Shirt Off My Back. It’s a nonprofit Tanner is starting to help feed those in need and find them shelters, clothing, and jobs.” He gestures to himself as if he’s the prime example. “Tower Park is partnering with us.”
You could knock me over with a feather right now. My throat closes up and I nod woodenly, overwhelmed by this new information. Finally, I croak out, “Well, that is exciting indeed. You must let me help somehow.”
I glance at Tanner, who smiles and kisses my temple. “I would love that.”
Sedgwick’s eyes sparkle. “Well, go on. The match is about to start. I’ll be seeing more of you two very soon, I’m sure.”
We say our goodbyes to Sedgwick and begin our journey to our seats, swerving through the crowds of people drinking beers and eating food.
The longer we walk, the more I become overwhelmed.
I’m in awe of how much Tanner has achieved in the short amount of time I’ve known him.
He went from a slutty, self-sabotaging footballer to a grown man in a relationship and starting up a charity. It’s…humbling.
I halt our movements and Tanner turns to face me, concern marring his beautiful features.
“Belle, are you all right?”
I nod. Smile. And kiss him like I’ve never kissed him before. Right in the middle of people buzzing around us. Right in our dopey T-shirts.
I pull away after feeling satisfied and murmur against his lips, “You’re crazy cool, Big Spoon.”
He chuckles against my cheek. “You’re crazy cool, too, Little Spoon. Now control yourself, woman. We’re in public for Christ’s sake.”
I look out to see several people’s mobiles pointed at us and I don’t even care.
When we find our seats, I’m stunned by the familiar couple I see sitting in the two chairs beside ours.
“Vi?” Tanner exclaims, cutting a serious look at Hayden. “What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here. You should be at home with your feet up.”
Tanner ushers me next to Vi and the two men bookend us.
Vi’s blonde ponytail bounces as she rolls her eyes and rubs her belly. “Oh stop. I couldn’t miss this match.”
“Wouldn’t miss this match is more like it. I tried to stop her,” Hayden defends, his eyes strained from obvious stress over having her here. “I all but laid down in front of the cab. It was either go with her to the match or die. I can’t die, man. We have a baby coming.”
I stifle my giggle because Tanner’s face is still so serious. “Vi, this isn’t smart,” he says, shaking his head.
She smiles softly at him. “I needed to be here for you. I know today is hard.”
My heart lunges at her sweet words, and I can see the manipulation tactics she’s pulling over on Tanner right before me.
His face turns soft and he half smiles his gratitude.
Oh, she is good. This is how she has those Harris Brothers wrapped around her finger.
I must have her teach me all the things.
Vi’s pretty blue eyes fall to our shirts, taking them in for the first time. “Man! Had I known you were wearing those I would have had a T-shirt made, too!”
I frown and ask, “What would yours have said?”
She looks at me as if I’m stupid. “Baby spoon, of course!”
We all laugh. Even stressed-out Hayden’s eyes alight with amusement.
He puts an arm around her. “Remember, no screaming at the refs or the players, or I’ll be carrying you out of here like a baby. I mean it.”
Vi nods solemnly and puckers her lips up to Hayden until he leans over and kisses her. They are so cute, I could die.
And here Tanner and I are in our stupid fucking T-shirts.
Tanner tweaks my sides excitedly when the Bethnal Green Pride song begins and the team comes running out onto the pitch with the energy of a thousand galloping horses. The crowd goes wild as our men in green and white line up on the sidelines for player announcements.
When Booker Harris is announced over the PA system, he jogs out in his brightly coloured keeper’s shirt and waves a gloved hand to the crowd.
His eyes search the stands until finds us.
Grinning sheepishly, he makes a beeline our way.
Everyone watches with curiosity as he hops over a couple of barricades and comes to stand right below our row.
He raises his fist to us and Tanner leans over the rail and knuckle bumps him.
Pride and sincere happiness drip from every part of his body.
The crowd erupts even louder as Booker blows a kiss to Vi who’s full on bawling her eyes out at the tender exchange between the two brothers. Two teammates. A family bonded together through football.
He turns and runs back out to join his team as the crowd begins to chant, “Harris, Harris, Harris.”
Goosebumps tingle all the way from my head to my toes at this incredible moment happening here at Tower Park.
Tanner’s chin wobbles as he turns and offers a quick wave to the crowd, further stoking their cheers.
When he faces the pitch again, I watch his jaw tick as he struggles to control his emotions.
Vi utters a choked sob as Tanner pulls me under his arm and presses his forehead to my hair, clearly overwhelmed by everything as well.
Suddenly, we see Vaughn Harris emerge in front of us on the sidelines, clipboard in hand, and a small smile on his lips. He cups his hand to the side of his mouth and mouths, “We’ll see you next week.”
Tanner nods, narrowing his eyes with focused determination. And with that single, solitary look, I know he’s ready to get back to work and find his stride again.
The commentator continues with the visiting team announcements when, out of nowhere, I see Vi hunch over in her seat.
I bend down next to her. “Vi, are you all right?”
Her eyes are pinched as she nods. “Yeah, just a weird cramp. Braxton Hicks, I’m sure. I’ve been getting those a lot.”
“Are you sure?” Hayden’s voice is laced with concern as he squats down beside her. “Damnit, Vi, I don’t like this.”
“I’m fine!” she crows, standing up straight and then freezing. She reaches out and grips mine and Hayden’s forearms.
“Belle, can you do me a favour and tell me if I’m bleeding?” Her voice is trembling with fear and anxiety as her grip tightens on me.
Hayden’s eyes find mine and I school my features to look calm, cool, and collected. I quickly bend down and see a wetness all over the crotch of her jeans. Thankfully her jeans are light.
“It’s clear, Vi.” I glance up at her and add, “Your water just broke.”
“Oh fuck!” Hayden and Tanner say in unison, Tanner just now catching on to what’s happening before us.
“Bugger, bugger, bugger!” Vi crows. “I’m going to miss the match.”
“Stuff the match, Vi. You’re having our baby!” Hayden roars.
She nods, schooling her features into crisis mode. “All right, we’re going to go.” She makes a move to get past us and says, “You guys have fun. We’ll see you after.”
“After?” Tanner barks. “What do you mean? I’m coming with you!”
“Oh stop! You don’t have to do that, Tan. It could take hours. Right, Belle?”
I shrug unhelpfully because I have no clue where her contractions are to even guess. This is a standard issue when you’re a doctor. People look to you for answers as if you have them, even without a proper examination.
“I don’t give a fuck,” Tanner barks. “You’re not taking a bloody cab to the hospital, Vi.”
“Well, you don’t have a car!” she argues.
Tanner digs into his pocket and pulls out a key fob. “I have the spare set to my truck. Booker drove here, so it’s in the players’ lot. We’ll take that.”
“Great!” Vi winces from what I can only assume is a contraction. “One big happy family.”
Hayden and Tanner usher Vi up the stone steps until we’re out the door.
“You stay with Vi while I run and get the truck.” Tanner passes Vi’s arm to me and jogs off down the sidewalk at lightning speed.
“Can you believe the odds?” Vi croaks, dropping down onto a bench and cupping her round belly. “I mean, bloody hell, I walk Bruce almost every day and nothing. One tearful moment with my brothers and BAM! Baby’s coming!”
I laugh. “Are you feeling all right?”
She exhales. “These cramps are coming and going a lot, but I’m okay.”
“How often are they coming?” I ask, pulling my mobile out so we can time them.
“I don’t know,” she croaks. “It’s too intense to tell.”
My eyes widen and lock on Hayden, who looks equally concerned.
Tanner pulls up right when another contraction hits. We file into the truck—me next to Tanner, then Hayden next to me. Vi is sitting by the passenger door, holding the “oh shit” handle on the roof of the vehicle.
I lean over to whisper in Tanner’s ear, “I don’t want to alarm your sister, but her contractions are only two minutes apart. You need to step on it.”
Tanner’s eyes fly wide and he punches the gas, driving like a bat out of hell.
Thankfully, The Royal London Hospital is right up the street.
I only quit working there a few months ago and know it better than any other hospital.
I pull out my mobile and call to let them know we’re coming in and it’ll likely be a quick delivery.
“Christ, Tanner!” Vi bellows as he slams the brakes in front of the accident and emergency entrance. “You’re driving like a complete moron.”
“Excuse me for not being well-versed on driving my sister to the hospital while she’s in fucking labour,” he roars, and I place my hand on his thigh to calm him.
“So dramatic,” Vi mumbles as she opens the door and inches her way out of the vehicle.
A familiar nurse comes striding outside with a wheelchair as I round the truck. “Hello, Dr. Ryan! Nice to see you again. We miss you around here!”