31. Katy
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
katy
MY SHELTER
Two months later
The first contraction feels like a lie. Just a tightening that makes me pause mid-sentence and press my palm to the counter.
“You okay?” Ella asks.
“Yeah,” I say too quickly. “Just something I ate. Probably.”
Declan raises an eyebrow from the couch. “At nine months pregnant?”
I glare at him. “Don’t mansplain my body.”
He raises his hands. “I’m not. I’m just observing. Sorry.”
I move anyway. I try to walk it off. I tell myself that it’s nothing.
But then it happens again.
The pain is stronger this time. Deeper. Like my body is pulling inward on itself.
I breathe through it. In through my nose. Out through my mouth. The way they said in that awful birthing class.
Ella’s already standing.
“Katy,” she says gently. “How long was that?”
“I didn’t time it.”
Declan’s phone is in his hand now. “I’m timing the next one.”
“I don’t need you to…”
“Ah!” It hits again. I bend forward instinctively, gripping the back of a chair. The room narrows to pressure and breath and the sudden realization that this is not theoretical anymore.
“Oh,” I whisper.
Ella’s hand is on my back immediately. “Okay. Okay. That’s it.”
Declan’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge to it now. “How far apart?”
I shake my head. I can’t answer. My body is louder than my brain. When it passes, I straighten slowly, heart racing.
“I’m fine,” I say. “I don’t need to go in yet.”
Ella gives me a look. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m just nervous.”
The next contraction steals my breath entirely. I cry out before I can stop myself.
Declan’s at my side in two steps. “Okay. We’re done pretending.”
“I don’t want to be dramatic,” I gasp.
“This is literally the best time to be dramatic.”
They help me to the couch. I curl forward, hugging a pillow like it might anchor me. Another wave hits. I’m not thinking about timing or bags or plans.
I’m thinking about him.
The way Ben’s hand feels around mine.
The way his voice steadies me without trying.
The way he looks at me like I’m important.
My chest tightens harder than the contraction. “No,” I whisper. “No, no, no.”
Ella crouches in front of me. “No what?”
I shake my head, tears spilling over before I can stop them.
“I don’t want to moo!” I scream.
“Moo?” Ella asks, confused. “Katy, what do you mean?”
“Ben would know what I mean. But I don’t get to want him,” I cry. “I ended it. I said…”
Another contraction cuts me off. I sob through it this time. Ugly. Uncontained. When it passes, I’m breathing hard, cheeks wet, pride completely gone.
The panic takes over me completely and there’s only one person I need right now.
“No offense, guys, you’re wonderful. But I want Ben,” I say brokenly. “I only want him. I need him. But I pushed him away.” I’m sobbing now.
Ella’s eyes soften immediately, and Declan doesn’t say a word. He just stands up. “I’ll call him.”
I grab his wrist. “He’s in the middle of a game.”
“He’ll come.” He’s already dialing.
Ella presses her forehead to mine. “You’re allowed to need him,” she whispers. “He’ll be thrilled.”
I close my eyes as another wave builds.
And somewhere between the pain and the relief of knowing he’s coming, something inside me finally lets go.
BEN
I’m still full of adrenaline from the first half of the game. I’ve had too much pent-up energy, and even using it on the field, I’m still full of this uneasy feeling. Fuck, I miss her. I keep hoping to see her in the stands but no luck yet.
She’s nine months pregnant, so she’s obviously not coming to a game. But a man can hope.
The locker room smells like sweat and Coach is mid-sentence, pointing at the whiteboard, when my phone vibrates.
I almost ignore it, but I notice the name. Declan. My chest tightens. I step back, fingers already slick as I answer. “Yeah?”
“She’s in labor,” he says with no preamble. “And she’s asking for you.”
Everything else disappears.
The noise. The board. The game.
“I’m coming.” I’m already moving.
There’s a pause.
“You sure?” he asks.
“I’m already gone.” I hang up and head to the door.
Coach looks up. “Davis. Where you going?”
“My girlfriend’s in labor. I’ve got to go,” I say. My voice is steady even though my hands aren’t. “Right now.”
He studies me for half a second, then nods once. “Go.”
That’s it. No speech. No guilt trip. He didn’t even know I had a girlfriend.
My teammates all start clapping and yelling encouraging things.
I’m jogging down the tunnel when I hear someone yelling my name. “BEN!”
Rebecca.
She’s running towards me still in her Rose Bay U cheer uniform, phone in one hand, bag slung over her shoulder. “Ella called me! Katy’s in labor.”
“I know, they called me too. She asked for me.”
Her eyes go wide. “Oh my God.” Then she grins. “Okay. Let’s go, QB. I’m driving.”
We’re running now. By the time we hit the parking lot, she’s unlocking the car with one hand and pushing me into the passenger seat with the other.
“Seatbelt,” she snaps, then peels out like the world is ending.
I press my hands together, trying to breathe.
“You know she loves you, right?” Rebecca asks suddenly, eyes locked on the road.
I swallow hard. I know she does. She always has.
“She only broke up with you because she didn’t want to ruin you,” she continues. “So don’t you dare hesitate now.”
“I won’t.” My voice cracks. “I swear.”
Rebecca nods once. “Good. She needs you. The steady you. But also the funny you.”
The stadium lights fade behind us. And finally, after so many weeks, I don’t feel lost.
I’m heading exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Maybe Daddies Brigade
Ben
Game on, gentleman. She’s in labor. Declan will have my phone and keep you updated.
Ethan
Let’s go, Katy!
Logan
You got this, man.
Jason
No fainting, Davis!
Matt
Tell Katy she’s a champ!
Ethan
Wait, weren’t you in the middle of a game?
The car barely stops before I’m out of it.
Rebecca doesn’t even bother putting it in park. She throws it into neutral and yells, “GO,” like we’re in a heist movie.
I’m still in my uniform, pads half-loosened, cleats clomping against the pavement as I sprint toward the entrance, lungs burning, stomach in my throat.
The automatic doors slide open, and the hospital air hits me. It smells too clean and weird after the sweat and turf and noise from the game.
I skid to a stop in the lobby, chest heaving.
I don’t even know where to go.
I just know I need to be there.
“Ben.” Declan’s voice cuts through the noise like a hand on my shoulder. He’s standing near the elevators, calm in a way that makes me want to scream and thank him at the same time.
I suck in a breath. “Where is she?”
He steps closer, lowering his voice. “She’s okay. In pain and scared. But okay.”
My knees nearly give out with the relief of it.
“I smell like ass,” I blurt. “I didn’t—I didn’t think—”
Declan huffs out a breath that might be a laugh. “She doesn’t care.”
Rebecca jogs up behind me, hair wild, eyes bright. “I almost ran a red light. Two, actually.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, barely turning.
She squeezes my shoulder. “You’d have done the same.”
Declan nods once. “I’ll take him back,” he says to her. “Thanks for getting him here.”
Rebecca hesitates, then points a finger at me. “Don’t pass out. She’ll kill you.”
Declan gestures toward the elevators. “Come on. Slow your breathing.”
I do.
“She asked for you,” he says. “She wants you there. That’s all you need to know right now.”
My throat tightens. “I didn’t think she would.”
Declan’s expression softens, just a little. “Yeah. She’s stubborn like that.”
As we step inside the elevator, I finally let myself think that I left a game. I ran as soon as I got the call. And I’d do it again without hesitation. Because she’s what matters most.
We run from the elevator to Katy’s room, and everything changes. Katy is curled forward on the bed, knuckles white in the sheets, face streaked with tears. She isn’t breathing the way we practiced—too fast, too shallow, fighting her own body.
She looks up, and the moment she sees me, she breaks.
“Ben,” she sobs, reaching for me. “Ben, I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
I’m at her side in two steps. I don’t think. I don’t hesitate. I just grab her.
She collapses into me like she’s been holding herself together with string and it finally snapped. Her arms lock around my waist, her face pressed into my chest, tears soaking straight through my jersey.
“I’m here,” I say immediately, firm and steady. “Hey. It’s okay, Katy Cat. I’m here now.”
She’s shaking. Crying so hard it steals her breath.
“I’m sorry I pushed you away,” she gasps. “I was trying to be strong. I didn’t want to trap you…”
I cup the back of her head, anchoring her against me. “I know, baby. I know. But the thing is, I really, really want to be trapped.”
She laughs, but then another contraction hits and she cries out, fingers digging into my sides.
I lean down, forehead to hers. “Breathe with me. Look at me.”
Her eyes find mine.
“Just me,” I murmur. “In through your nose. Out through your mouth. I’ve got you.”
She follows my breathing without realizing it. Her body softens by degrees. Her grip tightens, but she’s not spiraling anymore.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispers again, her voice wrecked.
I shake my head gently. “No. Don’t do that. Don’t punish yourself like that. It’s over, I’m here now.”
She sobs once, sharp and broken.
“I’m not leaving,” I add. “I’m staying. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Her face crumples and she presses her forehead into my collarbone, breathing me in like I’m oxygen.
Behind us, someone clears their throat.
Ella. She takes one look at Katy clinging to me, the way her shoulders have finally dropped, the way her breathing has steadied.
“Thanks for coming, Ben.” She sets a folded bundle on the chair beside the bed. “I grabbed some of Declan’s clothes. I had a feeling you wouldn’t bother changing.”
She grabs Declan by the arm. “Come on. Out.”
“What?” Declan protests. “I’m not—”
“OUT,” Ella snaps. “You’re no longer needed. Emotional support has arrived.”
Declan opens his mouth, then shuts it. He looks at Katy once more, then nods.
“I’ll be right outside,” he whispers.
Ella ushers him toward the door, then turns back to us. “You good?” she asks me.
I nod. “Yeah.”
She gives me a small, grateful smile. “Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”
The door closes. The room is quiet again except for Katy’s breathing and the steady beep of the monitors.
She lifts her head slightly, eyes swollen and red. “You smell like sweat,” she says weakly.
I huff a breath that might be a laugh. “Yeah. Sorry.”
She shakes her head, a tiny smile breaking through. “Don’t be. Thank you for coming. I can’t believe you left your game.”
I glance down at my sweat-soaked jersey. Then at the bundle Ella left on the chair.
I let go of Katy to tug my jersey over my head and reach for the t-shirt.
When I look back up, I catch Katy staring.
“Really?” I ask. “Even during labor?”
Color creeps into her cheeks.
“Shut up.”
Grinning, I pull on the t-shirt.
Another contraction builds. She grips my t-shirt, reaching for me instead of running.
“Okay,” I say, already bracing her. “Here we go. I’ve got you.”
Her eyes lock on mine.
For months, she’d been trying to carry everything by herself.
And now she’s letting me hold some of it.
It feels like neither of us is drifting anymore.
Thank fuck.