Chapter 29
Joseline
The stolen hours I share with Tobias in my hotel room are heaven.
We nap on and off, snacking and watching movies in between, even though he hardly seems interested in the romcoms I choose.
He doesn’t complain though. In fact, we don’t speak much at all, but I’m grateful for his presence.
As much as I needed to get away from the tour bus for a bit, I don’t want to be alone.
For the first time in what feels like forever, my nerves have settled.
I’m able to think clearly. I even take a few minutes to pack a duffel bag with my laptop, SD cards, and clothes for when we head back; that way, I won’t have to worry about falling even more behind on work.
Then it’s back to sleeping, cocooned in the blanket and pressed up against Tobias’ rock-hard form.
I’m dreaming peacefully when he shakes me awake again—I’ve lost track of what number nap this is.
“Is it time for dinner?” I mutter as I pry my eyes open reluctantly. I’m still curled into the crook of his arm, the blanket pulled up beneath my chin.
“No, not dinner.” He’s texting someone, but the phone screen is just out of my view. “But we need to get up.”
“What is it? What’s wrong?” I say, looking up to find his eyes. His brows are pinched together, and my stomach drops.
“No, don’t do that,” he says hurriedly. “Don’t freak out. Nothing is wrong… but Niki’s in labor.”
I sit up so fast my head spins, adrenaline crashing through my veins.
“She’s in labor? You’re kidding. Shit!” I hiss, already scrambling over his body. “What do you mean don’t freak out? Why the hell does she always wait until I’m not there…”
My voice trails off as I zip around the room trying to find a pair of leggings—I don’t want to meet my godchild in booty shorts.
I pull on a pair without caring that my full ass is on display for a brief second with Tobias watching.
The only thing I give a shit about is making it back to the tour bus.
I knew hanging out at my hotel all day was a bad idea.
But fuck did I enjoy every second of it.
“Should we teleport? Call for an Uber?” I ask as I hunt for my shoes. I want to get there asap; waiting even fifteen minutes for a ride will be agonizing.
“An Uber is ideal,” Tobias explains calmly, watching me frantically bustle around the room. “Using our magic always comes with the danger of attracting hellbeasts.”
I slam to a halt, an icy chill shooting through my system as I recall the creature from the alley.
“Joseline, I promise she’s okay.” Tobias’ words barely cut through my panic. “Sebastian and Emrys are taking care of her, and the twins have gone to collect more energy. Taking a few extra minutes isn’t a big deal.”
I exhale a shaky breath, fighting through my panic to find logic. Riding is definitely a safer option, even though Tobias clearly didn’t care when he teleported us here the first time.
Best not to risk our luck again.
“Uber it is then,” I mutter, grabbing my phone and punching the details into the app with shaking fingers.
I slip on my flats and run a brush through my hair, throwing it into the messiest bun I’ve ever made. Then, I whip around to see Tobias on his feet, my duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Silently, I run through a mental checklist, making sure I haven’t forgotten anything.
“Okay, let’s go,” I urge, turning to head for the door.
Tobias grabs me by the wrist and spins me around, dragging me into his chest. He hasn’t put his mask on yet, and my eyes immediately catch on his lips. I catch my breath before dragging my gaze up to his golden eyes.
“Everything is going to be alright,” he assures me. “We’ll make sure of it, okay?”
I nod nervously, my heart slamming in my throat. Without warning, he leans down to press his lips against mine, and I sigh into his mouth. It’s a quick, sincere kiss that makes my knees go weak. When he pulls back, my lips ache for more.
He steps away to pull his mask on, leading the way out of my room toward the elevator. We ride down without a word, and I’m all but bouncing on the balls of my feet when we reach the lobby. I can hardly contain my excitement—or my nerves.
As we wait on the sidewalk for our ride, Tobias slips his hand into mine without a word and squeezes it reassuringly. Once again, I’m shocked by how content I am with his presence. How much he calms me, soothing my anxiety like a balm, but I refuse to let myself think about it.
When we pull up outside the event center, I can’t scramble out of the Uber quickly enough. I nearly leave Tobias in the dust, but he hurries along behind me. I appreciate his haste.
I don’t think I can wait another minute to make it to the tour bus.
However, when we finally reach the glossy black bus, Tobias stops abruptly, eyeing the door uncertainly.
“Are you coming?” I laugh, pausing a beat before reaching for the handle.
He shakes his head slowly. “Nah, I’m good.”
I don’t know if he’s doing it out of respect, or if he’s just terrified of birth in general, but I snort a laugh and hold out my hand for the duffel bag.
“What are you gonna do, stand watch?” I cock a brow at him.
“Someone’s got to.” His eyes shift toward the bus and then back to me. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”
My cheeks warm at the offer, but before I can open my mouth and say something to ruin the moment, I whip around and head for the door.
Grabbing the handle, I brace myself for whatever I’m about to find inside.
Tobias said nothing was wrong, but I can’t help but imagine Niki’s nearly lifeless form lying in the bed for days on end.
Will she still be semi-unconscious?
Will she have the strength she needs to birth a baby?
Or will we have to resort to drastic measures to get the baby out?
Swallowing hard, I take a deep breath before letting myself inside.
I stagger to a halt at the top of the stairs when I see Niki walking up the middle of the bus, hands on her hips. She takes long, exaggerated breaths, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth.
My heart contracts hard in my chest.
She’s okay.
Relief crashes into me when our eyes meet, and I fight the stinging sensation at the corners of my eyes. There was a time last week where I wondered if Niki would ever wake up, and now she’s pacing the bus. I can hardly believe it.
Her hair is freshly-washed and pulled on top of her head, and she’s wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Sebastian fidgets at the dining table, like he has no fucking idea how to help.
“You’re awake,” I state the obvious. It’s the only thing that comes to mind.
“Yep, and I changed my mind. Just kill me,” Niki replies, pausing in the kitchen as a contraction hits. She grips the counter with one hand, holding her stomach with the other, as she groans and tries to breathe through it.
“Can’t do that, sorry bestie.” I sling my duffel bag onto the couch and whip out my phone, opening the browser. I’ve saved countless pages about childbirth over the last few weeks, but there’s one in particular I’m looking for.
Relief hits when I find it: Oops, I Birthed My Baby In A Toilet. Hilarious title, but it’s actually filled with loads of info about what to do if you have to give birth alone or at home.
“You’re gonna have to lose the pants, Nik,” I say, lingering near the couch to give her space.
“You want me pacing with my ass out?” She glares at me.
“I’m about to see way more than your asscheeks.” I shrug. “And there’s no one else here, is there?”
I glance at Sebastian, and he shakes his head in reply. “She kicked them out a while ago.”
Good for her. I would have done the same.
I decide to give Sebastian something to do, other than sit there looking useless.
“I need towels and any old blankets you don’t mind ruining.
A trash bag and paper towels might be good too.
” He moves without a word, going to collect the things.
Then, I turn my attention to Niki, who’s gone back to pacing.
“You know, we should have thought about padcicles… We can get some after. Mom swears by them.”
She smirks at the joke, but I can tell she’s in too much pain to laugh.
So much for comic relief.
“Okay, just keep walking. You’re doing great. Work through those contractions until you’re ready to push,” I say, sounding way more confident than I feel.
Truthfully, I have no idea what the fuck I’m doing. No amount of internet searches could make me feel even remotely ready to deliver a baby, but this is our only option.
No hospital. No doctor. Just me and a demon who looks more terrified than anything.
This is fine.
Everything is fine.
The minutes drag by, and with every one, Niki seems to lose a little more energy.
She goes from pacing, to leaning over the side of the bed, to finally laying down in her bed surrounded by the blankets and towels Sebastian collected.
She can barely keep her eyes open when Emrys pops in to give her more energy.
Minutes crawl by, and Niki’s contractions get closer together. I try to support her however she needs, moving pillows and shifting blankets, trying to be useful. All the while, I’m on the edge of my seat, teeming with anxiety.
Everything seems fine so far, but we aren’t out of the woods yet.
Not until I’m sure this baby isn’t going to kill my best friend.
After what feels like an eternity, it’s finally time, and I instantly go into autopilot. I reassure Niki over and over that staring into your best friend’s penis fly trap is just part of strengthening your bond. She doesn’t even have time to argue before contractions slam into her back to back.
Niki pushes down with every contraction, her groans and cries filling the tiny space. Sebastian is doing his best to comfort her, letting her squeeze his hand until his fingertips turn while. Meanwhile, my heart is beating in my throat.
“Listen, if you tear, I’m not a seamstress, but I’ll do my best,” I say, trying to alleviate some of my anxiety with laughter. She chuckles once, but another contraction quickly cuts her off.
Her groan turns into a scream as she pushes a final time, and the next thing I know, I’m catching the baby in a fluffy bathroom towel. I wrap it up carefully, surprised by how efficient my autopilot is, cleaning off the wriggling form, making sure it’s breathing.
The next sound that pierces the air is a high-pitched, shrill cry from the bundle in my arms, and my heart shoots into my throat.
The baby is okay.
Niki is okay.
A shaky breath of relief knocks from my lungs as I work with trembling hands to tie off the umbilical cord with the only thing we have available—a string.
Then I’m back to wiping a towel over the baby’s dark curls, doing my best to clean off its tiny limbs.
I count ten fingers and ten toes. Everything about the baby is perfect, from its chubby cheeks and perfect little lips to its… pink eyes.
I gasp as it blinks its eyes open, shocked by the deep pink irises staring back at me. They might be the only trait the baby got from Sebastian, because it feels like I’m looking at a tiny, wrinkled version of Niki.
Finally, when some of my shock wears off, I check to see if I have godson or goddaughter.
“It’s a girl!” I nearly choke on the words, my eyes racing to Niki’s. Sebastian is cradling her against his chest, whispering praise in her ear.
“A girl?” she repeats, like she can hardly believe it.
I nod, tears stinging the corners of my eyes.
It’s a girl. A perfect baby girl.
“You did so well, Nik!” I don’t bother putting a diaper on the squishy newborn before placing her on Niki’s chest and stepping back to watch her and Sebastian take in their first moments as a family.
Fuck, if it isn’t the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.
I pull out my phone and manage to snap a single picture of the three of them before a horrific roar erupts outside. I jump, my stomach pitching toward the floor as ice punches through my veins. The three of us exchange looks, and I can’t seem to get a full breath of air.
Niki looks up at Sebastian with fear in her eyes. “What the fuck was that?”