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face.
Are you okay? he asked. What s with closing the bathroom door? You could have fallen, and we
wouldn t hear you.
She smiled and kept her tone purposely light. Help me up? she asked, extending her hand.
His expression eased as he bent over the tub. He gripped her hand and put his arm behind her back to
help her stand. Keeping his fingers curled tight around her hand, he helped her over the side then handed
her a towel.
Thanks, she said, even as another contraction centered in her abdomen. Damn, that one came out of
sync with the others. Her gaze crept to the clock. Three minutes. That didn t make a lot of sense.
You can go now, she said to Logan, trying not to sound too hopeful. I just need to do girly stuff, and
then I ll be out to eat. Tell Rhys to keep it warm for me, please.
He brushed his lips across her cheek and then headed out of the bathroom. She grinned at the obvious
way he swung the door wide open and left it.
She took her time brushing out her hair and securing it in a ponytail. When the next pain hit, she looked
at the clock. Seven minutes. Her face scrunched into a frown. Well hell. Ten minutes, three minutes then
seven minutes.
Real labor was supposed to be regular with the time between contractions gradually lessening. Which
meant she was probably just having& what? Fake ones? She almost laughed. There wasn t anything fake
about the pain.
With a grumble, she finished dressing. Now after making such a big deal out of eating, she was going to
have to figure out a reason why she d suddenly lost her appetite.
She d taken a step into the bedroom when liquid seeped down her leg, soaking the maternity pants
she d pulled on. She stopped in her tracks and stared down as more liquid pooled on the floor.
Her first thought amused her. Or maybe she was just a babbling fool in shock because the only reaction
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she could muster was one of extreme aggravation because now she d have to get dressed all over again.
The second thought was that she hadn t bothered to shave her legs, and now she was most definitely
going to the hospital. With hairy legs.
Cat, what the hell is taking you so long? Rhys asked from the doorway. Breakfast was on the table a
half hour ago.
She turned to look at him. Her fear and uncertainty must have shone on her face because Rhys went
from teasing aggravation to utter seriousness in two seconds flat.
He strode across the room and cupped her elbow with his hand. What s wrong? he demanded.
She stared down at the puddle of water on the floor then tried to pry the wet material from the inside of
her leg.
Oh shit. Honey, did your water break?
Stupid question. But she nodded anyway.
Oh boy, he breathed. Logan is going to freak.
She giggled and relaxed just a bit. Things were going to be fine. Rhys wouldn t flip out on her, and
between the two of them, they could handle Logan and get her to the hospital.
Let s get you changed, he said in a calm voice. I ll call for the driver, and I ll send Logan down with
the bag. It ll give him something to do.
Twenty minutes later, Rhys helped Catherine out of the elevator and toward the door where the car was
waiting. Logan was pacing outside the entrance, and when Catherine and Rhys walked out, he all but
pounced on Catherine.
She smiled as he went a bit, okay a lot, overboard as he ushered her inside the car, but she couldn t fault
how loving he was toward her and their baby. Even if he was a little overzealous.
At the hospital, Rhys took care of checking in and the paperwork, which was just as well since he was
the only calm one despite the appearance Catherine gave to the contrary.
Inside she was a mess. A complete and utter mess. She wasn t ready for motherhood. What the hell did
she know about babies? Other than she wanted this one so badly she ached.
Hours later as she panted between contractions and Logan and Rhys hovered nearby, she wondered
why any woman ever wanted children.
It won t be long now, the doctor said as he positioned himself between her legs.
Logan and Rhys stood on either side of her head, their hands laced with hers. They squeezed
reassuringly even as she caught her breath and bore down with the next contraction.
All the air escaped her lungs and she sagged against the pillows, her strength nearly gone.
I can t do this, she whispered.
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Rhys leaned down and brushed her hair from her face. He kissed her tenderly. Yes, you can. You can
do anything, Cat.
Logan also leaned down, her hand clasped tight in his. I know you re tired, baby. I know you hurt. But
hold on a little longer. Do what the doctor says. Think of how wonderful it will be to finally hold our
daughter in your arms.
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