Page 23 of Daisy Chain
“What? It’s too soon.” I try to stay calm, but inside I’m terrified for her and the baby.
Lincoln’s eyes widen. “I don’t understand this shit. All I know is that she’s in a fuckload of pain and her waters broke.”
“Shit. Let’s go.” Without thinking, I link my fingers through Daisy’s and pull her along with me. She doesn’t resist and follows close behind.
We race to my room. The room I fuck in. The one I had hoped to bring Daisy to, which is now being used for a completely different reason.
On the bed, Natasha is gripping her stomach, her eyes squeezed shut. Letting go of Daisy’s hand, I rush to her and sit carefully on the edge of the mattress. Sweat plasters her blue bangs to her forehead. I push them back. “Hey, Tash.”
Her eyes crack open, and she lifts her head. “Chains, it hurts so bad,” she wails.
“I know, honey. I know.” I fucking don’t know shit.
Natasha collapses back on the pillows propped behind her and exhales a long breath.
“We need to get you to a hospital. You’re only seven months. The baby’s gonna need a doctor.”
Natasha’s deep brown eyes widen and fill with tears. “I’m not going to the hospital.”
“But the baby is coming early.”
“It’s not.” She bites her bottom lip. “I’m nine months.”
“What? But you said—”
“I lied. I didn’t think you’d give me a job if I told you how far along I was. Oh, God!” More pain grips her, and I offer her my hand to squeeze.
No, I wouldn’t have given her a job. Not until after the baby was born, and she was ready. I still would’ve given her a place to stay and everything she needed.
I turn to Lincoln, who’s pacing the room, combing his fingers through his hair. “Call Dr. Yasmine.”
Lincoln pulls his phone from his jeans pocket and dials. A moment later, he shouts, “Shit. Got her voicemail.”
“Fuck.”
I look back at Daisy, who’s standing statue-still by the door. Her gaze is focused on the computer screen in the corner. The one that monitors outside this room.
With narrowed eyes, she turns to me. She knows exactly what I saw on the other side of that window. “Do you know anything about delivering babies?” I ask.
Daisy shakes her head. “She needs to get to a hospital.”
“No,” Natasha wails, clutching my hand. “No hospital.”
“We don’t know how to deliver a baby. You need medical attention,” I encourage.
“No hospital,” she cries.
“Okay, okay. No hospital.” I don’t want to add more stress to the situation, but I also have no clue how we are going to do this.
Her eyes close with fatigue, and I hope we’re doing the right thing, keeping her here.
“If she doesn’t want to go to hospital, we’re going to have to deliver this baby. Any ideas how we do this?” I glance at Daisy and Lincoln. Lincoln is still pacing the room like he’s an expectant father. He is no use. Daisy is still standing, frozen.
It’s up to me. Fuck!
A second later, Daisy’s face brightens. “I have a… a… friend who’s an obstetrician. I’ll call him.” Taking her phone from herpurse, she makes the call. She explains the situation, then props the phone to her shoulder. “He’s on his way. How does he get in here?”
“Give the phone to Linc. He’ll explain it to him.”
