Chapter 30
“You sure you’re gonna be comfy here?” Vike finishes making up the cot bed in the corner of the clubhouse meeting room, while I try to stretch out my spine.
I’m starting to feel crushed from the inside, and although I know damn well I’m not gonna be comfortable on that cot, I smile and nod.
“Maybe we should have stayed at home. I know we have a generator here, but–”
“There is no way I’m missing out on Rory’s first storm night,” I tell him. I look past the doors into the barroom where everyone is gathered.
“Saul used to love it, didn’t he?” Vike steps up behind me and kisses my neck. He would have loved to be here, seeing his little boy weaving in between everyone's legs.
“I wish he were here.” Tears prick my eyes.
“Come on, let's go see what's left to eat.” Vike slips his hand into mine and leads me into the barroom to join the others. I smile at Greaser when I pass the table he’s sitting at with his mom and Anita, and although I only get a half-hearted one back in response, I’m grateful for it.
“Peyton!” Eden sounds relieved when the back door opens, and Wrath walks in carrying Leo in one arm and Reggie’s cage in the other. “I’m so glad you came, and Leo, you're here too.” She looks at the boy, then at me suspiciously.
“Your husband didn’t give me a lot of choice,” Peyton tells her, taking Reggie's cage from Wrath and placing him on the table.
“Why don’t you go see what food Polly’s got left in the kitchen?” Wrath places the kid on the floor, and when he zooms off, all of us look to Peyton for an explanation.
“He ran away from his foster home…and yes, I’m going to call child services.” She takes her cell out of her pocket and marches toward Raze’s office.
“I’m worried that she’s not coping,” Millie says, as we watch Peyton through the window. She’s staring at her phone, sliding her hand over her face like she’s debating whether she should actually make that call.
“I’ll go speak to her, she has to—”
“She’ll do the right thing.” Wrath pulls Eden back when she starts to move forward. “It’s just hard for her to do it again. Eden, I got her here, now will you please stop worrying?”
“My brother could be out there injured or dead, Wrath, so right now, no, I can’t!” Eden snaps before moving to sit in the corner beside Freya.
“I can’t seem to do a thing right these days.” He shakes his head at Vike, then storms off toward the bar, and I grip Vike's arm when I suddenly feel a sharp pain in my abdomen.
“You okay?” Vike instantly looks worried.
“Yeah, it’s just another one of those practise contraction things.” I smile, starting to wonder if they could possibly be the real thing. I’ve been having them on and off all day, but they haven’t been regular, or anything like as painful as that last one.
“Alicia, are you okay? That's the third time I’ve seen you screw your face up like that since you've been here.” I roll my eyes at Vike when I hear Iris approaching from behind us.
“I’m fine, honestly. She’s just kicking hard.” I turn and smile at her politely, hoping she’ll be satisfied and leave me alone. The last thing I need is for her to suspect that I’m going into labor.
“Your due date was three days ago.” She frowns suspiciously.
“I’m very aware of that, Iris.” I scratch the back of my neck, trying not to sound as irritated as I feel, and when that dull ache in my lower back gets heavier, I take the weight off my feet and lower myself into the chair next to me.
“Siddy, get her some water,” Iris calls out to her son.
“Iris, I told you, I’m fine.” I stroke the side of my stomach and try to hide my shock when another sharp pain slices through my middle.
“Well, I did it.” Peyton comes out of the office looking much happier than she did before she went inside.
“And?” I grip the edge of the table and bite down on my back teeth.
“And ...they said he can stay here with me until the roads are clear.” She smiles.
“Are the roads not clear?” I swallow nervously. I was starting to think that my biggest concern was gonna be alerting Vike that I think this could be it, without Iris noticing. Turns out I could be wrong.
“Apparently, a power cable came down on Main Street, and the top road is completely flooded.” Peyton looks delighted. This must be the first time she’s managed a smile in weeks.
“I can confirm that.” Quinn steps through the door, shaking the rain off her coat. “Luckily, this strong knight in shining armor was passing and rescued me.” She looks up at Sasquatch, who steps in behind her, soaked wet through.
“You can make up a bed for Leo in the meeting room with us,” Eden tells Peyton. “Wrath said there are more cot beds in the storage cupboard."
“Alicia, you’ve gone very pale. Have you eaten anything since you arrived?” Iris continues to henpeck me.
“I was feeling a little sick,” I admit. “But I’m fine now,” I add, in case she starts fussing over that.
“You must eat; you need your strength, you could go into labor any day now an–”
“Please, stop worrying.” I close my eyes and breathe when another pain hits.
“I will not stop worrying about my grandchild’s safety; you’re being irresponsible.” Her tone gets sharper.
“Oh, please, Iris...shut up!” I lose my temper and yell at her when it all gets too much.
“Who do you think ya talkin’ to?” Greaser hears me and starts charging across the room, hitting a solid brick wall when Vike steps in front of me to block him.
“And who the fuck are you steppin’ up to her like that?” He shoves him in the chest and gets right up to his face. “Calm the fuck down before I beat the crap outta you. ”
“Please, don’t fight.” I use the table to help me get up. “Please, jus—ahhhh!” I know for sure that what I’m feeling is a real contraction when it’s accompanied by a huge gush from between my legs.
“Oh, my god!” Peyton rushes to grab my arm, and when Vike spins his head and sees what's happened, he abandons his argument with Greaser and comes straight for me.
“Was that…did your waters just break?” He stares at the puddle on the floor in shock.
“Yes,” I nod, feeling petrified. “We have to go to the hospital; the contractions haven’t been regular, but they’re definitely getting stronger.”
“What fuckin’ contractions? You never told me you were having contractions.” Vike’s voice turns high-pitched with panic
“Well, I’m telling you now. I really think we need to go.” All of a sudden, I’m feeling a lot of pressure, and the pains don’t seem to be stopping for very long.
“You put the hospital bag in the car when we left, right?” I check.
“Of course, I did.” Vike takes over from Peyton and holds my arm. “Can you walk?”
“I’m coming with you.” Iris is already pulling on her coat.
“No one’s going anywhere,” Sasquatch calls over all the commotion. “The roads are closed. I had to wade through waist-high water to drag this one off her hood.” He looks down at Quinn.
“I thought I’d be able to get through.” She folds her arms and defends herself, though looks pretty pleased with herself.
“We have to get through, I gotta get Alicia to the hospital. Sasq, she’s havin’ the baby. It’s comin’ right now!” Vike tells him as if that wasn’t already clear.
“I can see that, brother, but she ain’t gonna have it at no hospital.” His words make me want to cry, and I squeeze Vike's arm tight in my hand as I breathe through another painful contraction.
“Don’t worry, Alicia.” Iris wraps her arms around me, “You’re going to be just fine, things rarely go wrong in these situations, and you're a strong, healthy girl... Does anyone here know what to do if the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck?
” she asks the room, causing me look up at Vike in horror.
“Please, get her away from me.” I clutch my stomach and sob, because this wasn’t supposed to be this way. I can’t have my baby here.
“Iris, you need to calm down; that’s not gonna happen.” Peyton tries her best to steer the woman away, but she’s not budging.
“Vike, I can’t have this baby here; you promised me a hospital and drugs.” I claw at his t-shirt when he tries to comfort me.
“I know, and I’m sorry, but this little girl has decided she’s ready to come.” I can tell from his voice that he’s panicking; he’s just trying real hard not to show it.
“Fuck, it hurts.” I tense when another contraction cripples me.
“Come on, let's get you more comfortable.” Vike lifts me up and carries me toward the double doors that lead to the meeting room, and when Iris starts to follow, I pray someone holds her back.
“Quinn,” Vike calls out, his voice all shaky as he places me on the cot bed. “Quinn!” he calls again, this time much louder and more aggressive.
“What do you want me for?” She trudges in behind us.
“What do you think I need you for? We’re having a baby.” He stares back at her as if she’s crazy.
“Vike, I’m a coroner, not a fuckin’ doctor.” She laughs while I grip the edge of the cot and scream through another wave of agony.
“Push, dear push.” Iris drops down to her knees next to me and grabs my hand. “She’s going to be a big girl, if she’s anything like her father; he was almost ten po—”
“Get her out of here!!!” I growl, past the point of politeness.
“Iris, you need to get the fuck out.” Vike takes some control, grabbing the woman by her shoulders and lifting her back on her feet.
“I’m not gonna miss out on my granddaughter being born.” She shakes her head, “Alicia needs supp—”
“Vike!!!” I reach out for his hand, and when Dev comes out of nowhere, he lifts Iris up over his shoulder and marches her out the way she came.
“Do something,” Vike orders Quinn, as he takes the position Iris was in beside me. I can still hear her protesting, but pay her no attention. I’m in too much pain to care.
“Vike, I told you, I’m not a doctor.” Quinn looks nervous as I open my legs in front of her, and she helps me remove my panties.
“You work in a hospital, and right now that's good enough.” Vike climbs onto the cot behind me, sliding his arms through mine and offering me both his hands. “You're gonna do this, Alicia, and you're gonna be fine.” He kisses my temple.
“I need to push…” I tell her when that pressure gets heavier.
“No. No, don’t do that. I’m not ready.” Quinn searches around her, then looks relieved when Freya and Millie rush in with a pile of towels.
“I got the first aid bag.” Eden comes in a few seconds later, her face looking shocked when she sees what's happening between my legs. “Is that…”
“Yes, it’s exactly that!” Quinn snaps back at her, taking off her jacket and rolling up her sleeves. “Why did I have to try that fucking road? I could be at home watching true fucking crime, right now.”
“I really need to push,” I manage to moan, squeezing Vike’s hands and bearing down.
“I can’t watch.” Eden covers her mouth and rushes out.
“Good luck; you're doing great.” Millie follows after her, looking pale.
“Where are you going?” Quinn asks when she starts leaving, too.
“To tell Ruckus that he’s never coming near me with his thing again,” she calls back, leaving just the three of us in the room.
“Quinn, what's happening? Vike asks her.
“I can see the top of the baby's head, so I guess it’s okay to push some more.” The unsure shrug she makes doesn’t fill me with confidence.
“I’m doing it anyway.” I tense my body and use Vike as my leverage because I can’t hold off the urge to push against the pain.
“Okay, that's good; something’s happening.” Quinn smiles up at me encouragingly.
“What… what's happening?” Vike asks in between whatever breathing and panting noises he’s trying to make.
“Stop asking me that. There’s a fucking baby coming out of her!” Quinn tells him sarcastically. “You take care of your end, and I’ll deal with mine…and for the love of God, stop making those stupid noises.”
“I’m helping her breathe,” Vike argues.
“Well, it’s distracting me.” Quinn shakes her head and rests her hands on my knees.
“I can’t do it, Vike.” I flop my head back against his shoulder when I realize this is it. My baby is really going to be born here, with no medical help.
“Darlin’, you have to; it’s almost over.
Just a few more pushes, and she’ll be here.
Come on, you got this.” Vike loosens his hands from mine and gripsthe back of my thighs.
“Push hard against me, I got you.” I listen to him, and do as he says, pushing with all my strength and hearing the excitement in Quinn’s voice when she tells us the head’s out.
“See? You’re doing it,” Vike tells me.
“Does she look like Griller?” I ask nervously.
“She kinda looks like a squashed tomato.” Quinn tilts her head as she observes, and I don’t have time for that to worry me because the next contraction is already here.
“Push…keep pushing. Alicia....She’s here!” Quinn yells excitedly as I feel all the pressure suddenly release at once. “She’s here, and she’s…” She gets interrupted by a loud cry, and I flop my head back against Vike's shoulder again, relieved to know she’s okay and exhausted.
“She’s beautiful.” Quinn passes her between my legs and places her on my chest. Vike wraps his hands around her tiny body to steady me because I’m shaking.
“She’s okay, right?” I check, still feeling as if all this is too good to be real.
“Darlin’, she’s perfect,” Vike tells me, taking the towel Quinn hands him and using it to cover her over. “Look at her.”
I stare down at the beautiful baby girl in my arms and burst into tears.
“Is she really mine?” I have to hear someone say it because Vike’s right, she really is perfect.
“She’s ours.” Vike kisses my cheek, then strokes her gently with his finger.
And when I look up and see Greaser standing in the doorframe watching, the look of hate he gives me as he turns his back and walks away sends a shiver down my spine.