Five hours later, Addison yelled like she’d never yelled in her life as the next contraction brought on a wave of pain.

Jace was toweling her head off and holding her hand. “Good job, Adds. You got this. End zone, baby. You’re doing so well.”

“Shut up,” she said through clenched teeth. Did she appreciate the fact he was there? Yes, but right now, she was not enjoying his football speeches.

Not deterred, he still held her.

The contraction passed, and she felt herself lay back limply.

“You’re doing good,” the doctor said. It was awkward because he had her legs up, and he was checking to see how dilated she was. “Only at a four.” He frowned.

“What does that mean?” Jace asked. “Shouldn’t she be all the way dilated by now?”

It felt like they’d been doing this song and dance for a long time.

“I’m going to let Addison rest for a bit. After I give her an epidural, I think it will move along faster. Sometimes, the baby can’t relax if it is stressed.”

Addison thought of all the pictures online she’d seen of this. Remembering the long needles, she found herself whimpering.

“It’s okay,” Jace said, holding her hand and bringing water to her lips. “Here, take a sip.”

She took a sip, but the water didn’t taste that good. Not refreshing. She felt every ounce of her strength leave her and fear seep in. “I can’t do it, Jace. I don’t want a needle. This is why I did Lamaze.”

The doctor was already ordering people around.

Jace pushed her hair back from her head. “Listen. Listen, Adds. I’m right here. I’ll hold your hand. I’m with you in this.”

Then she was hysterically crying. “I don’t deserve you. I don’t. I’m not like you. I’m not strong. I can’t do this.”

The doctor was back. “What we need you to do is sit up and then push your back out to a curved position. They will insert the needle right above your pelvic bone to block the pain. We want to do this before another contraction hits.”

Before Addison could really process it, Jace and a nurse were turning her. Then a different doctor, who introduced himself as an anesthesiologist, told her, “Listen, sweetheart, we’re going to get you out of pain.”

She hunched her back, but the needle hurt! It was pain like the time she’d been at the dentist and his needle had hit a nerve times a hundred. “No!” She cried out.

Jace was no better to look at because his face was pasty, and he looked the same way he’d looked during Lamaze class. “It’s okay. It’s okay.”

Then it was over. The sting of the needle exiting her was gone, and she fell back like a puppet with its strings cut.

The nurses made her comfortable, and the doctors told her they would be back in a bit to check on her. The lights in the room dimmed, and she was propped up on the pillows. For the first time since she’d woken up, she felt herself doze off.

Much later, she woke and felt Jace’s hand in hers.

“Hey,” he said.

She turned and noticed she was all hooked up to monitors.

“The nurse said they’ll come check you soon. They gave you a drug to stop the contractions, but they could start naturally on their own again.”

She relaxed and gave him a faint smile. “You still glad you went to Cubbies that day?”

He smiled back and scooted closer, taking her hand into his. “I consider that day the catalyst for the rest of my life.”

She frowned. “You told them you’re the father. You know that’s going to leak into the press.”

He squeezed her hand. “Listen, I want you to come to California with me. Will you?”

Her heart rate kicked up a notch. “But—”

He put his other hand over both of theirs. “As my wife.” He blinked. “And I want this baby to be mine. I want to be the real father.” Gently, he reached up and wiped beneath her eyes then bent forward and kissed her.

Her breath caught. “I can’t believe this.”

He grunted, letting out a soft laugh. “Well …”

She realized she hadn’t answered him. “Yes. Yes.” Warmth rushed over her.

He let out a relieved breath. “Yes!” He kissed her again and held her head in his hands, their foreheads pressed together. “I love you.” He smiled. “Thanks for finally telling me, right before you passed out, that you love me too.” He released her.

She laughed. “Yeah, I guess that was bad form.”

“I should probably be used to you passing out on me.” He frowned. “But don’t do it again,” he said before kissing her.

She got lost in the kiss. “I’m disgusting right now.”

“You’re beautiful, and we’re going to get married.”

She was so happy. And so drugged. And so in love. They kissed again, and she marveled at how magical it all felt. She was kissing Jace Harding, and he had asked her to marry him.

Then a pain stabbed through her, and the baby monitor beeped loudly. Turning, she saw a flat line on the screen.

“Hey!” Jace yelled and jumped to his feet. “Help!”

The whole staff was running in. “Let’s take her to the OR,” the doctor said.

Then many hands were on her, transferring her to a different bed. “Jace!” She couldn’t see him.

“I’ll be here!” She heard him yell as they wheeled her out.

A mask was slipped over her face, and the anesthesiologist said, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I’m going to give you some good drugs through your IV. You’ll feel so much better in just a second.”