Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
My nerves are shot as I race through the streets, my hands shaking with every turn. I nearly sideswipe a parked car, and I realize I should have let somebody else drive me today.
The hospital looms ahead, its white walls blurring together in my panicked state. I practically skid to a stop in the emergency drop-off zone, not bothering to find a proper parking spot. I sprint into the building, barely registering the surprised looks of the people I pass by.
The antiseptic smell hits me as I approach the front desk, trying to catch my breath. "Felicity Lark," I manage to choke out, my voice hoarse with worry. The receptionist types something into her computer before looking up at me with a sympathetic expression.
"Room 217, down the hall to your left," she says softly, as if aware of the turmoil coursing through me.
I nod quickly and take off down the sterile hallway, my heart thudding in my ears. Room 217 comes into view and I push the door open with more force than necessary, revealing Felicity lying on the hospital bed, her face contorted in pain. The sound
of monitors beeping fills the room, blending with the distant sound of muffled voices. My eyes immediately seek hers, finding their familiar brown depths filled with exhaustion and fear. But when they land on mine, a flicker of relief dances across her features.
"Shepherd," she breathes out, a weak smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm so glad you're here."
I rush to her side, taking her hand in mine and squeezing it gently. "What's happening? Is the baby okay?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I try to mask the dread creeping up in my chest.
Felicity inhales shakily, her grip on my hand tightening. "The doctors are still running tests," she replies, her voice strained with pain.
“What do they think it is?”
“Braxton Hicks, maybe.”
I try to remember all the words I’ve read in The Expectant Father, but I’m coming up empty. “Braxton Hicks?”
Felicity nods, her eyes searching mine. “False labor.”
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, relief flooding through me at the explanation. "Okay, okay. That's... that's good, right?" I stumble over my words, still grappling with the fear that had gripped me only moments ago.
Felicity nods, her smile growing slightly more genuine as she squeezes my hand again. But there's a shadow lingering in her eyes, one that tells me there's more to the story than she's letting on.
I swallow hard, trying to push down the rising panic threatening to consume me. "I'm here, Felicity. I'll stay with you no matter what," I promise, my voice unwavering despite the turmoil swirling inside me like a storm.
Felicity's gaze softens, gratitude shining through the pain etched on her features. "Thank you, Shepherd," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. And in that moment, as we sit hand in hand in a sterile hospital room I know we will face whatever lay ahead together.
I study her, moving closer to her. “What are we doing?” I ask her.
She stares up at me, confusion clear on her face. “What do you mean?”
“You and me? What are we doing?”
“Um, having a baby.”
I smile with a tiny laugh. “Felicity, I’m crazy about you. I don’t want this friends-with-benefits thing. I don’t want us to raise the baby separately. I want a real chance at this. I want to be a real couple.”
Her eyes fill with unshed tears.
Tears spill down Felicity's cheeks, her grip on my hand tightening even more. "Shepherd, I... I never thought you'd want that," she admits, her voice thick with emotion. "I've... I've been scared to hope for more."
I reach out to gently wipe away her tears, my heart aching at the vulnerability in her eyes. "I want this, Felicity. I want us," I declare, my voice unwavering and sure. "I want to be there for you and our baby, every step of the way."
A mix of emotions flits across her face - joy, disbelief, and a glimmer of hope shining through the tears. "I want that too, Shepherd," she whispers, her voice barely above a breath. "I want us to be a real family, but I’m afraid you’ll leave again."
My brows dip as I stare at her, confused. “What? I haven’t left.”
“Yes, you did. After the Christmas party. After we had sex. You left without so much as a word. No phone call, nothing for months,” she says, tears filling her beautiful eyes.
“Felicity,” I start, sighing as I grab the back of my neck. “I’m not going anywhere. I was an idiot to leave without telling you first. I thought after we were together that night, that we’d be together. I’ve never had a serious relationship before, and I guess now you can kind of see why.”