Page 92 of Make Me Believe
“What?” He looked around and realized everyone was looking at him expectantly. “Marla, Rowan’s in labor. I need an ambulance. Go—” He gestured toward the stage. “I don’t know, but I need to get her out of here.”
“Luke, go accept your award.” Rowan’s grip had eased. The contraction had passed but she was drenched in sweat and her face was flushed.
“You are out of your mind.” He scooped her up and sidestepped out of the aisle as people made room for him. Heading toward the exit, he heard Marla’s voice fill the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as you may have noticed, Luke and Rowan have a pressing matter to attend to. He thanks everyone who made this possible and will have a more prepared announcement later.”
Applause and whistles followed him out of the auditorium. The paramedics met them in the lobby and transferred Rowan to a gurney, which they pushed out to the waiting ambulance.
Seventeen minutes after reaching the hospital Rowan gave birth to a very tiny, very angry little girl. Less than an hour later, she stared at him groggily while their baby girl rested on her chest.
“You won,” she whispered.
He laid his hand on their daughter’s back and felt her tiny body rise and fall with her breaths. Brushing Rowan’s hair back from her face, he kissed her forehead. “I know.”
