Tied With Me (With Me In Seattle)(76)

“Fuck.”

“Everyone’s on the way here. The party is canceled.”

“We’ll be there in fifteen. Are you at Harborview?”

“Yes.” She sniffs again and then sobs. “Oh, Matty, what if she loses the baby?”

“Is Nate with you?”

There’s a shifting, and Nate’s voice comes through the receiver. “I’m here. I have Julianne. Stacy and Bryn’s parents took all the kids home except Livie. Luke’s parents and yours are on the way.”

“Nic and I are on the way, too. We’ll be there in a few.”

“Drive safe.”

He clicks off the line, and I shove my phone in my pocket and pull Nic into my arms, holding her tight. “It’s Nat.”

“I heard. You should go.”

I frown down at her and cup her face in my hands. “You’re coming.”

“It’s a family emergency, Matt…”

“You’re coming,” I repeat. “I need you there.”

She nods, and I take her hand, guiding her out of the apartment and down to my car. The five-minute drive to the hospital is one of the longest of my life, comparable only to when Brynna and the girls were in their accident several months ago.

Nic reaches over and takes my hand in hers, laces our fingers and squeezes reassuringly.

Fuck, I love her.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I murmur and kiss the back of her hand.

“Nat’s going to be okay,” she states firmly. “And the baby, too.”

I smile and nod and silently pray that she’s right.

When I pull up to the hospital, I park my car at the curb by the emergency room and lead Nic from the car.

“We can’t leave the car here.”

“Yes, we can. I work with this hospital regularly. They won’t tow me.”

“Okay.” She shrugs.

I glance down at her and grin. Her legs look amazing in those heels.

“I’m looking for Natalie Williams,” I inform the registrar, who meets us in the ambulance bay.

“I don’t think we have a Natalie Williams in the ER, detective.” She says. “Is an ambulance on the way?”

“She’s probably on the floor,” he informs her. “Can you find her?”

“Oh, sure, let me check.” She types on her keyboard and bites her lip then smiles. “There she is. Room 402. Do you know how to get up there?”

“I do. Thanks,” I reply and walk through the ER, through the back hallway to the elevator.

“Geez, you just walk through here like you own the place,” Nic comments with a laugh.

“Asher and I are here on cases quite a bit.” I smile down at her as we wait for the elevator.

“Where is Asher’s wife?” she asks softly.

“She passed away about three years ago.” My gut clenches as I think back to that dark time for my partner. “She was in an accident.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She blinks quickly, and I can see that she truly means the words. “Poor Casey.”

“It was rough on both of them,” I agree. “They’re doing better now, but it hasn’t been an easy road.”

“Does he have family here?”

The elevator doors open, and we climb aboard.

“No, his family is in New York. He’s been talking about going back home to be near his family, for help with Casey.”

“That would be a tough decision to make.”

The thought of losing my partner is as appealing as the thought of losing my right arm.

We can hear Livie wailing as we leave the elevator and walk toward the waiting room. Jules is holding the fussy toddler, bouncing and crooning to her, but Livie won’t be placated.

The room is full of family all dressed for a formal party, some sitting, some standing, all pretty much quiet.

Will and Meg are talking with Mark, Sam and Leo in one corner. Isaac and Stacy are standing with Caleb and Brynna while Nate and Dominic both try to help Jules quiet Liv.

“Matty!” Jules cries and walks to me immediately, leaning into me, cradling Livie to her. “Oh my God, it was so terrifying!”

“Okay, shush now, bean.” I take Olivia from her, hold her to my chest, and she rests her head on my shoulder, takes a long, shuddering breath and sighs.

“Why wouldn’t she do that for me? She loves me,” Jules sobs.