“It’s time.”

“Where are you?”

“Just arrived at the hospital.”

“We’re on our way.”

Tally launched out of bed, her phone falling from her hands. It landed on the floor with a thud. She felt around for the lamp switch, eventually finding it and a warm glow bathed the room. Cash sat up, rubbing his eyes.

“That was David,” she said. “Em’s gone into labour.”

Cash yawned, stretched, and squinted at the clock. “It’s five in the morning.”

“And?” Tally said. “Babies come twenty-four hours a day. What’s the time got to do with it?”

“They also don’t arrive quickly, based on my experience. There’s no need to rush down there. David’s her birthing partner, not you. She’ll probably be in labour for hours yet and you’ll be pacing the floors outside the delivery suite. There’s plenty of time to get a few more hours kip, a proper breakfast, and warn my mother she’ll need to look after the kids.”

Tally glared at him. “She’s my best friend. I want to be there in case she needs me.” She reached into the wardrobe and threw a shirt and jeans at him. “And if I’m there, you’re there. The kids are coming too.”

Cash groaned, tossing the clothes to one side. “Why? Cian will start moaning he’s bored after five minutes, and Darcey will get in everyone’s way by doing bloody pirouettes down the hospital corridors. Let Mum look after them.”

Tally shook her head. “When Em has the baby, I want Darcey and Cian to be there.”

“And they can be,” Cash said. “But there’s no point taking them now. Emmalee will probably be in labour for hours. I’ll get dressed and fetch Mum, then she can bring down the kids later.”

“Okay, fair enough, but hurry, please. Apart from David, we’re all she’s got. Her mum and dad won’t be able to make it back from Spain in time, her brother, Greg, is still travelling around Australia. I don’t think David’s brother, Paul, was planning to travel across yet, either.” When Cash didn’t move, she planted her hands on her hips. “Move your arse.”

Cash chuckled. “I love it when you boss me about, sweetness,” he said, capturing her around the waist and pulling her diagonally across his body. He cut off her squeal with his mouth and kissed her, so familiar, yet still able to tighten all the muscles below her waist and release a cacophony of butterflies into her abdomen, their wings beating against her inner walls.

He slid the straps of her nightgown down her arms, his lips moving over her jaw. “What difference is thirty minutes going to make?” he murmured, moving across to nibble on her earlobe.

Tally groaned. “Cash.” Her tone held a hint of warning, but it was not strong enough to stop his intent.

His hand cupped her breast, the rough pad of his thumb brushing her nipple. Her groans grew louder, her back arching of its own accord.

Oh, what the heck. Half an hour delay couldn’t hurt.

Tally ran down the corridor with Cash right behind her. She pressed the buzzer for the labour suite and, after giving their names, they were buzzed in.

“Where the bloody hell have you two been?” Rupe grumbled the second they rounded the corner into the waiting area. “You live at least thirty minutes nearer than us.”

Cash’s nonchalant shrug and subsequent wink had Rupe rolling his eyes. “Jesus Christ,” he said.

“What does it matter?” Cash said. “It’s not like we’ve missed the main event.”

“Any news?” Tally asked, anxious to divert the conversation on to one that didn’t involve her sex life, even if it was in code. She sat beside Jayne who was rocking five-month-old Ethan. His eyes were shut but when Tally touched her pinkie to his tiny hand, he gripped on tightly. She brushed a lock of blonde hair from his forehead, her heart clenching with love. Ethan had Jayne’s fair hair, but the rest of him was pure Rupe.

“Not yet,” Jayne said. “If Em’s experience is similar to mine, we may have to settle in for a long wait – twenty hours before this one arrived.”

“Tell me about it,” Tally said. “Darcey made me work for it too.” She yawned. “Cash, why don’t you and Rupe go get us some coffee, I’ve a feeling we’re going to need it.”

“Good idea,” Cash said. “Shame the pub isn’t open. We could wait it out in there.”

Tally glared at him. “Coffee, then straight back here. You feel me?”

“Oh, I definitely feel you, sweetness,” Cash said smugly, with a lecherous eye sweep. “Several times per week.”

Tally turned her attention to Jayne. “Almost forty and still a child.”

Jayne laughed. “Boys will be boys.”

Hours passed with no sign of Em’s baby. Occasionally, David would pop out to give them an update, thank them all for sticking around—as though they had anywhere more important to be—and then rush back inside. Rachael brought the kids down after lunch and Tally took them to the gift shop when Darcey insisted she wanted to buy some balloons.

Several coffees later, Tally rose to stretch her legs. She’d barely walked two steps when the double doors to the maternity suite opened and David came out wearing a grin the size of the Thames.

“It’s a girl. Nine pounds.”

“Fantastic,” Rupe said while Cash shook his hand and added. “Congratulations. Years of worry ahead.”

“That’s wonderful,” Jayne said. “I’m so happy for you both.”

Tally hugged David, a rush of happiness sending warmth radiating through her chest. “Em?” she asked.

“Exhausted but ecstatic. You can see her shortly. I’ll come and get you as soon as they’ve finished sorting her out.”

“Nine pounds,” Rupe said smirking, when David disappeared once more. “That’s one hell of a bruiser. Remind me to buy a rubber ring for Fallon on my way home tonight. She’ll need something comfy to sit on.”

Jayne shifted Ethan to her left arm so she had her right one free to dig Rupe hard in the ribs. “Thoughtful,” she said, heavy on the sarcasm. Rupe grinned.

“I thought so.”

Thirty minutes later, David came to collect them. They all piled into the delivery suite with the nurse making a half-hearted attempt to limit the numbers, but there was no stopping them.

Em was sitting up in bed holding a pink bundle, the baby’s face barely visible through the swathe of blankets. David perched next to Em and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“Meet Maia,” Em said, her face tired but elated.

After rounds of “congratulations” and “well done”, Tally perched on the end of Em’s bed. “Oh Em, she’s gorgeous.”

“Why is she so wrinkly?” Cian asked, standing on tiptoes to peer at the new arrival while Darcey tied the balloons to the end of Em’s bed, then elbowed her brother out of the way so she could see the baby.

“Imagine if you’d been in the bath for nine months,” Rupe said. “You’d be wrinkly too.”

Cian’s brow furrowed. “The baby has been in a bath?” He looked up at Tally. “Was I in a bath too?”

“Fucking brilliant,” Cash muttered under his breath. “Genius, Witters.”

“Here, Darcey,” Tally said, quickly digging into her purse and taking out some change. “Why don’t you take Cian to the vending machine just outside and buy a chocolate bar.”

“Okay,” Darcey said. She leaned over and kissed Maia’s forehead. “She’s so pretty, Auntie Em, just like you.”

Em flicked the end of Darcey’s nose. “And you, my darling.”

“Do you want to hold her?” Em asked Tally, after Darcey and Cian left.

“Do I ever,” Tally said. She carefully lifted Maia from Em’s arms taking care to support her head. Bending down, Tally breathed in that gorgeous baby smell.

“Watch out, Cash,” Rupe said. “Tally’s looking all broody.”

Tally shook her head. “Nope. I know what they grow into, as you’ll find out in a few years.”

A few minutes later, the nurse insisted they leave to give Em time to rest but, as Tally rose from the bed, Em put a hand on her arm.

“Stay,” she said. Turning to David she added, “Can you give me a minute with my bestie?”

“Sure thing,” he said, bending to kiss her forehead before leaving with everyone else.

“What’s up?” Tally asked, concerned.

“Nothing,” Em said. “Everything’s perfect.” And then she burst into tears.

“Aww, you daft thing,” Tally said, hugging her friend while trying not to squish Maia. A few seconds later, they broke apart and Tally passed Em a tissue to dry her face.

“I just wanted to say how much I appreciate and love you. Now that I’ve personally experienced the joys,” she rolled her eyes, “of labour, I understand what a sacrifice it would have been for you to do that for me. I’ll never forget your generosity, your selflessness, your great big heart, to even consider carrying a baby for me.”

Tally kissed Em’s cheek. “I wouldn’t hesitate to make the same offer again, but I’m so glad it wasn’t necessary in the end. You’re going to make a brilliant mum.”

“Just promise me one thing.”

Tally nodded. “Anything.”

“Don’t let Rupe get any ideas about his son and my daughter.”

Tally burst into laughter. “Done deal.”