Justice Falling (Falling #3)(75)

When we got to the right place, I was breathing hard but Hank was no worse for the wear. Blooming hell, how much did the bloke work out?

“Aspen Jensen! My wife!” he roared to a little thing in pink scrubs with flowers all over them.

“Room 5, one floor up in the private labor and delivery suites,” the nurse called as Hank was already on the stairs, not willing to wait for the elevator. I followed him in my slick shoes and caught myself on the railing. We had to look like a couple of bank robbers the way we busted through the stairwell door and into the top floor.

Hank found the room and heard his wife scream. “God Dammit. I f*cking need Hank, right the f*ck now!” she screamed at Oliver.

It was the most profanity I’d ever heard Aspen use…ever.

My lovely Camille rushed to her side with a cold cloth.

“Oh, God, that’s good. Thank you, Cami,” Aspen said, breathless.

“Angel.” The word was laced with love. Hank and his wife reached for each other. Tears poured down her face.

“Hank, she’s coming early. I don’t know why.” Aspen’s head shook from side to side and fear filled her voice. “I did everything right,” she cried.

He kissed her face over and over and finally her lips.

Camille moved off to the side with her hands over her mouth. Her own tears fell down her cheeks. My girl was such a softy.

Oliver was at the window pacing. Tripp hung outside the room, sitting in a waiting chair, twiddling his thumbs.

“Camille, love, I’m here when you’re ready,” I whispered.

She looked up. Her eyes were bright with love and happiness. She met me, grabbing her purse.

“No! Hank, no. I need her!” Aspen reached for Camille. My girl ran over and clasped both of hers around one of Aspen’s.

“It’s okay. Hank’s here,” Camille assured the suffering woman.

“Darlin’ would you feel better if you had a woman with us?” Hank asked.

She nodded and Camille smiled. “I’d be honored to stay if that’s what you want.”

“You help me so much. Please don’t leave.” Aspen begged. Another painful contraction took her over. Immediately, Camille jumped to her aid and looked over to some machine that seemed to be attached to a cord under Aspen’s gown.

“Okay, Aspen, it’s peaking.” Aspen grabbed Camille’s hand and held both hers and Hank’s. “Okay you’ve got this. Breathe in for five, out for five…that’s it. You’re coming down, it’s lessening and almost gone.” She drug out the last word. “Really great job on that one. You barely cringed.”

Aspen returned a weak smile. Camille looked at me over her shoulder.

“Baby, I’ll be right outside if you need anything. I’ll have Jin keep our son tonight, okay?”

She nodded and smiled. It was the prettiest smile on the most beautiful woman. She was in her element, helping a friend.

I looked over at the empty seat next to Tripp and sat down.

“Crazy huh?” I said. Tripp nodded but kept silent. Finally he turned and looked at me.

“Cami’s my sister?”





Chapter 19





I thought the ten hours I was in labor was long. Those ten hours passed during Aspen’s labor in what felt like an eternity of wading through a hurricane in five feet of snow wearing a pair of shorts. The last five hours were worse, utter torture on the mama, and her support team. Not one to complain, but finally, mercifully, she got an epidural. It was as if the clouds opened up, the sky turned gold, and the heavens rained down love and light on us.

Two different doctors had been in and out, consulting about the premature baby and whether or not they should do a C-section. The second doctor thought Aspen was a week or so farther along in her gestation than her regular OB/GYN. Whatever the case, she was finally at ten centimeters dilated and pushing to bring her daughter into the world.

At this stage I stayed back and allowed Hank and Oliver to each hold a leg as I stood on the sidelines with London. We hugged one another as Aspen bore down, screamed with a mighty roar, and forced her daughter’s appearance.

“Oh my God, Angel,” Hank said as they laid a doll-sized infant on Aspen’s belly, rubbing and wiping her down while the three of them looked on in awe. Hank cut the cord as the doctor directed. Pride and tears filled the big man’s eyes in equal measure as he looked at his wife and daughter.

“She’s so…gross. What is that all over her?” Oliver asked.

Aspen laughed and Hank pushed Oliver’s forehead with his palm moving him out of the way. Oliver cringed and came over to us, his arms spread wide. The three of us hugged.

“She’s perfect, Angel. Just like her Mama,” Hank said, petting his daughter’s hair with one finger. “Our baby girl, Hannah.” The three of us turned and smiled. Hannah. Such a lovely name.

London went to her sister and looked over Hank’s shoulders at their daughter, now free of all the gunk. Oliver and I peeked as well. She was lovely.

“Oh, she’s stunning!” Oliver clapped. “Baby Hannah is a super model baby already,” he gushed. “Look at her perfect pout.” I grinned and looked at the precious angel given to this wonderful couple.

“Darlin’ you did mighty fine.” Hank petted his wife’s hair then kissed her.