“‘Cause you're gonna be an uncle, dickhead,” Sy laughs at his expense.
“Where are all the chicks?” he sulks, looking out over the back decking where the current party is being held.
“Out the back,” I say, pointing to all the women who have turned up for Kadence’s baby shower.
“No, where are all the sexy single women? Not the Stepford moms, or the pregnant women.” He looks out, trying to find someone he can flirt with.
“Keep it in your pants, Jesse,” Nix scolds from his spot on the sofa. Even though it’s Kadence’s baby shower, all the guys are here watching the game. Being so close to her due date and the doctor putting her on bed rest due to her scarring, Nix refused to leave her alone for the event. They’ve been told to stay inside and not to bother the festivities happening outside. So far they’ve behaved, the game keeping their attention.
“This blows,” Jesse groans as he gets another beer from the fridge and hobbles back to the living area.
“You okay, baby?” Sy asks, coming up behind me as I finish the final touches to the baby shower cake I made for Kadence.
“I am.” I tilt my head back, smiling up at him. This is the Sy I have been living with the last few months; attentive, protective and horny. Something about my pregnant body has turned Sy into a crazed sex-maniac. Not that I’m complaining. It’s a hell of a lot better than the protective Sy. Since finding out Chad got off with a warning and community service, Sy has not let me out of his sight. Even to the point of assigning one of the boys on me when I need to go to work. We haven’t had any problems, but the further I get along in my pregnancy, the more Sy worries. I think Chad has given up. Finding his wife now is like finding a needle in a haystack. Even the Knights Rebels don’t know where she has gone, but that hasn’t stopped Sy from being vigilant. It’s been crazy and maybe a little over the top, but that’s the man I fell in love with. Broody, protective, loving Sy.
“You look so fucking sexy standing there, barefoot in the kitchen making a cake, with my baby in your swollen belly,” he murmurs softly as his hands come over my small bump, cradling it protectively.
“You are weird, Mr. Dean,” I say.
“Not weird, baby. Just in love.” He kisses my neck, letting another swarm of butterflies free.
“Leave your baby momma alone, Sy,” Kadence says, waddling in carrying a large gift-wrapped box. We came out about the engagement and baby right after we told my parents that we were getting married and expecting. After the shock that I was going to be a mom wore off, my dad and brother started their stupid protective routine, but Sy survived with flying colors and even won my father over. Sy’s family, the Knights Rebels and Co, took it a lot better. Kadence cried in joy over the fact we’re both going to be moms together and the boys were all shocked that Sy had asked me.
“Kadence, what the fuck?” Nix growls, standing to take it out of her hands. “You fuckin’ know that you’re not meant to be lifting shit.”
“Oh, relax, Nix,” she laughs, waddling to the fridge.
“Will you go fuckin’ sit down?” He comes up behind her and reaches in, taking out what she needs.
“Nix, I’m fine.” She shakes her head, not letting her bossy husband order her around.
“If I could pick you up and throw you over my shoulder without hurting you, I would. Instead, I’m going to take your hand and walk you back to your chair, and you’re gonna plant your ass on it for the rest of the party. Do you understand me?” he growls. I can’t even tell Nix off with his badass baby-daddy routine because he's right. She is so close to popping that baby out she needs to take it easy.
“Nix, quit it. I’m fin—” Her last word breaks off as her body doubles over.
“What is it, Kadence?” Nix shouts, throwing the tray of sandwiches to the table, sending them flying everywhere. At first, I think she’s playing, just teasing Nix, but when I see the water leaking down her legs, I know she’s not joking around.
“Ohhh, I think my waters just broke,” she pants, still bent over.
“Fuck, how do we fix it?” Nix says, looking around at all of us.
“You can’t fix it, you ass. It means the baby is coming,” she manages to say, still struggling with some pain.
“The baby’s coming? Right now?” Nix asks again, looking at us for answers. If I weren’t concerned for Kadence still breathing through her first contraction, I would laugh at the big bad biker freaking out.
“Kadence, has it stopped yet?” I ask, coming forward, getting down low and looking up at her pained face.
“Nooo,” she squirms. “Oh, God, is this normal?” she asks. I don’t reply. Instead, I let her try to breathe through it, but counting as I go. After another thirty seconds, I look up at Sy, trying to relay that something isn’t right.
“Oh, my God!” she shouts again.
“Call an ambulance,” I finally say, making the decision to voice my concerns. Kadence is still leaning over and Nix stands frozen, being absolutely no help at all.
“Ambulance?” Nix finally registers what’s happening.
“I don’t think she can move far between the contractions. We won’t get her to the car,” I explain walking to the sofa and pulling off the cushions.
“She can’t fuckin’ have it here,” he bellows out, finally realizing his biker baby is ready to make an appearance.
“Kadence, can you walk?” I ignore his freak out, zoning in on only her.
“I don’t think I can.” Her voice is filled with strain and panic. “Something is wrong, Holly,” she cries in between moaning.
“Nix, pick her up and bring her here,” I instruct, watching her struggle. I look to Sy and watch as he places the call to 911.
“Arrghh!” Kadence screams as Nix picks her up, bringing her to the floor in their living room.
“Fuckin’ hell, what is going on? We need to get her to the fuckin’ hospital, now,” he says, placing her down on the sofa cushions.
“I’m serious, guys; this isn’t normal,” Kadence moans. “Something is wrong.” She looks up with a pained expression and I know this isn’t a drill. I can see it in her eyes.
“I don’t think she’s going to make it there, Nix,” I tell him, moving around to help pull her panties down her legs.
“The baby’s coming,” she says, freaking out.
“What the fuck, Holly?” Nix asks, trying to stop me.
“Nix, I need to check her. See if she’s right.” I look to him hoping he understands my meaning. If the baby is coming now, we need to prepare. He must see the seriousness in my statement or see the urgency in my eyes as his expression turns from panic to fear.
“Everyone, get the fuck out,” he yells, letting me continue to slide her panties down.
“Nix, get me some towels. Lots of them,” I instruct when I see the blood. “Sy, how far away are they?” I ask, looking back over to where he stands.
“Ten minutes,” he says from behind me.
“Oh, my God, Holly. Don’t judge my hairy vajayjay. I can’t see over my belly,” Kadence rushes out, explaining her unkempt lady parts.
“Girl, all I can see is your baby’s head. Trust me, it’s the least of our worries,” I assure her before looking up to Sy wondering how the hell we are going to deliver a baby.
“The head is there already?” Nix races back in, his arms carrying blankets and towels. “Sy get the fuck out of here. I don’t want you to see my woman,” he says, noticing Sy is still in the room.
“Nix, he can help us,” I suggest, holding onto her hand to help her breathe through another contraction.
“Yeah, I’ve seen a delivery before,” Sy says into the phone, ignoring us and focusing on what the operator says to him. I can see Nix and Kadence both look at each other before looking to me for some kind of answer to their unspoken question.