Page 145 of The Bachelor Spy
“Of course not.” She shook her head firmly. “I’m fine. And I absolutely must hear the caroling. They’ve worked so hard, and Lieutenant Ashford has been practicing a solo for three weeks. I cannot miss it.”
Another pain twisted through her back, but she maintained her smile. The books she’d read relayed how she’d become increasingly uncomfortable the closer the time came for the baby. Aches. Odd pains. A little swelling.
She looked down at her stomach and grinned. Or a lot of swelling.
It was remarkable that the baby didn’t just burst right through her abdomen as much as he moved around and as tight as her skin was. Truly a miraculous creation. And if she felt this uncomfortable now, what would it be like in January?
Brandon moved to draw out her chair, and as she stood, the oddest thing happened. Some strange, inexplicablepopsounded from somewhere inside her body. Not so much heard as …felt.Like a cork releasing from a champagne bottle, except the champagne bottle was apparently located somewhere in her midsection.
She looked over at Frederick, then Blake and Evie, then the girls, to see if they’d heard it too.
But no one seemed aware at all.
She frowned, placing her hand against her stomach as if that would provide answers.
How could the sound of a cork suddenly transfer to the inside of one’s body? She’d read about many strange pregnancy symptoms, but internal champagne cork noises hadn’t been among them.
And then a rush of warmth began moving down her legs.
“Oh!” She gasped, hands tightening on her stomach. Her wide gaze flashed to Frederick, who was already rising, his smile falling away.
“What?” He was already in motion.
“I … I …” She’d read about this part. Not the cork part, but the breaking of waters. It meant … She shook her head, suddenly panicking. “But … but it’s not even Christmas yet! We still have over a week of December! I haven’t finished wrapping presents!”
Blake was standing now, followed by Evie, but Frederick was already halfway to her from his side of the table.
“Is it …” Blake started, his eyes widening.
“Grace?” Frederick’s arm was instantly around her waist, steadying her. “Darling?”
She looked up at him, attempting to maintain some semblance of rationality even as her carefully laid plans crumbled around her. “Dr. Ross said he felt certain I had at least two more weeks. I made a schedule. I have a list of things to accomplish before the baby arrives, and I’ve only completed half of them. There are at least seven books I haven’t read yet about infant care, and I was going to reorganize the nursery, and—”
“Darling.” Something sweet and incredibly gentle moved over Frederick’s features, cutting off her spiral. “I don’t believe you have a choice in this matter.”
Her stomach gave a sharp twinge as if in emphatic agreement with Frederick’s words.
Already the baby was taking sides!
“And I rather doubt the baby is aware of Dr. Ross’ schedule,” Blake offered with an encouraging wink. “Or your list.”
She sent Blake a frown.
“Brandon, please call for Dr. Ross,” Frederick called, steering Grace toward the door.
“The snow may prevent him, my lord.”
Frederick paused and turned back to the man, blinking and probably attempting to come up with another option. “Dr. Shaw, is he at the hospital this evening?”
“Not yet, my lord. He’s expected in a few hours, but the snow …” Even Brandon’s voice quavered a little, but he firmed his expression. “I will find a way to locate Dr. Ross, sir.”
“Good man.” Frederick nodded, then hesitated as he and Grace made it to the dining room doorway. “And … and … send Mrs. Powell.”
“At once, my lord.”
“But … but …” Grace gasped as a sudden sharp pain wrapped around her entire middle like an iron band. Frederick was already moving her into the hallway. “But I haven’t finished my reading list for delivery yet! There’s an entire chapter on breathing techniques I meant to review!”
“I don’t think the baby received that schedule either,” Blake called from behind them, his voice full of barely suppressed laughter.
