Pulse (Collide, #2)(109)

Taking in Lillian’s concerned but happy demeanor, given she was about to meet her third grandchild, Emily pulled herself from the nightmare and stopped crying.

“How far apart are the contractions?” Lillian asked. “You’ve been timing them, right?”

Gavin shook his head, his throat suddenly dry. Damn. He was f*cking this all up. He hadn’t timed shit. He felt as if everything he’d learned in the many Lamaze classes he and Emily attended had flown right out the window.

“Just start timing them now,” Fallon offered, pulling a chair from the table. She tossed her silver and green-streaked hair into a pony tail and sipped her coffee. “I read if they’re closer than five minutes apart, the baby’s coming soon.”

Olivia shot her and Trevor a look. “You two are trying to have a kid, aren’t you?”

Trevor smirked. “Sis, you are and will always be a nut.” Olivia rolled her eyes and Trevor walked over to Gavin, shaking his hand. “Give us a few to wake up, and we’ll meet you at the hospital. Born on the fifth of July. Cool birthday. Congratulations, bro.”

“Thanks.” Gavin smiled and walked Emily to the door. After hugging everyone goodbye, she stepped out into the dewy night air, making her way toward Gavin’s car.

As Gavin went to rush after her, Colton caught his arm. “Just remember, little man, do whatever she asks. Don’t take her threats or name calling personally. She still loves you. She just won’t like you for the next few hours. At all.”

Chad chuckled, slapping Gavin’s back. “I can’t say I disagree with your brother. Linda Blair from The Exorcist comes to mind, but she’ll calm back down.”

Lillian swatted Chad’s arm and pulled Gavin in for a hug. “Ignore your father and brother. Everything will be fine. Love you, baby boy. We’ll be there soon.”

Gavin kissed his mother goodbye and stepped from the house. Anticipating a full blown demon, he was surprised to find Emily casually leaning against his car. She still looked stressed, but he expected wicked. As if he had willed that demon into existence, he watched her face go from relaxed and loving to all-out pissed as she hunched over, grabbing her stomach.

“Jesus, Gavin, can you just open the door already?” she hissed, her fingers curling around the side mirror of his BMW.

Gavin nervously fumbled with his keys to unlock the door. He helped Emily into her seat, slammed the door, and shot around the vehicle. Once in, he looked at her, his heart sinking. “Breathe, baby. Remember the breathing techniques they taught you.” He watched her toss her head back, and he heard some kind of grunt rumble up her throat.

She whipped her head around, glaring daggers at him. “I know how to breathe, Gavin. You just worry about getting me to the damn hospital so I don’t give birth to your son on these leather seats. Got it?”

Yep, she was scaring Gavin. Throwing the car into reverse, he figured he’d speak only when spoken to for the remainder of the ride.

As lights along the darkened road came and went, so did the contraction possessing Emily’s body. It left her feeling terrible, though. Sitting on her knees, she leaned over the console. Cupping Gavin’s face as he stared at the road, she started raining kisses along his temple, hair, and jaw. Anywhere she could kiss, she did. “I’m so sorry.” She kissed his nose, neck, ear, cheeks, and lips. She cried again. “You were dead. You were gone. I love you, Gavin. You’re my Yankees-obsessed, bottle cap-giving wiseass. I’m so sorry. I love you so much.”

Gavin’s mouth twitched into a nervous smile. “This bottle cap-giving wiseass loves you, too.” He paused and wiped a tear from her face, unsure whether or not he should say what he was about to. Her hands were tiny, but he knew his girl could throw a pretty powerful smack. “Um, sweets, you need to sit back down, okay? Get your seatbelt on for me.”

Emily nodded. As she reached for the belt, her belly started to ball in pain. As it simmered, anchoring through her muscles, she felt a little pop. Still on her knees, warm liquid trickled down her leg. She pulled in a fast, harsh breath. “Oh… my… God,” she cried out, her eyes wide with panic. “My water just broke. You need to drive faster, Gavin. Now.” She turned to him, her face twisted in pain as she held her stomach. “I’m not kidding. I know you know how not to drive like a grandfather. Get that big foot of yours to press harder on the gas. I. Am. Not. Kidding.”

Gavin blinked, swallowed, and brought his eyes back to the road. With Linda Blair’s twin sitting next to him, he didn’t say a word as he gunned it. Though the love of his life was a bit scary, Gavin would never deny, when telling his grandchildren of this very night, he liked Emily giving him permission to drive like a bat out of hell.

In a matter of minutes, he had them screeching to a stop in front of the hospital. Jumping from the car, he fumbled for, well, he didn’t quite know what he was fumbling for. But he was. Swiping a nervous hand through his hair, he swung open Emily’s door and helped her out. By this time, she’d calmed down, exhibiting signs of severe bipolar disorder as she kissed him repeatedly. Breathing heavily, Emily cried her apologies as she clung to his arm while walking into the emergency room. He couldn’t help it, but in that moment, Gavin wondered where she’d been all his life. God. He loved this woman, and she was about to give him the greatest gift ever, bipolar or not.