Chapter 13 - Labor

Rachel was awake before I finished yelling her name.

"Hospital bag," I gasped. "Bathroom. My water broke."

She went pale.

Then she became the most efficient person on earth.

Shoes. Keys. Towels. Phone charger. Bag.

"Contractions?"

"Five minutes. Maybe less."

"Okay. We're going."

The drive felt endless.

At the hospital, the nurses confirmed I was in labor. The baby was early but his heartbeat looked good.

"You're staying," the nurse said.

I laughed once. "Wasn't planning to leave."

Then fear rolled over me.

"My no-visitor list is in the chart, right?"

She checked. "Yes. Margaret Carter and Daniel Carter are restricted unless you change it."

Rachel squeezed my shoulder.

I called Maya at 3:30 in the morning.

She answered on the second ring.

"I'm in labor."

"How are you?"

"Terrified."

"Focus on the delivery. I'll handle anything legal that happens outside that room."

For six hours, I did exactly that.

At 10:08 a.m., someone tried to enter my room.

A nurse blocked the door.

I heard Margaret's voice in the hallway.

"I'm his grandmother!"

My whole body tensed.

"Get her away from here," I said.

Rachel stood. "I'm on it."

Security arrived.

Then Daniel's voice joined the argument.

"That's my wife in there. That's my son."

The nurse closed the door.

My contraction monitor jumped.

"Look at me," Rachel said. "Not the door. Me."

I did.

I breathed.

I pushed.

At 12:42 p.m., my son was born.

He cried immediately.

I sobbed harder than he did.

They placed him on my chest, warm and furious and perfect.

"Hi," I whispered. "Hi, Noah. I'm your mom. I've got you."

Then Maya called Rachel.

Rachel stepped into the hallway to answer.

When she came back, her face had changed.

"What?" I asked.

She looked at my newborn son.

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Then at me.

"Daniel filed for emergency temporary custody this morning."