Chapter 276

Just as I’m about to pass through the door though, I feel the next contraction take hold. Cursing to myself, I flatten myself against the wall outside of my bedroom and grit my teeth, holding on to the puppy but doing my best not to squeeze him as the pain starts to deepen, an ache building low in my body. The puppy whines as I start to pant my way through this, lifting his little head in concern and sitting up straight, reaching out his little nose to kiss me on the chin. I turn my head away, unable to concentrate on anything else –

“Fay?” Jerome’s voice calls, and I look up just in time to see him step out of my bedroom. His eyes go wide as he sees me pressed against the wall, clearly in pain. “What! Are you -”

“Get out here,” I growl, releasing one hand from the puppy and tugging him into the hall with the hand that’s not holding the baby monitor. Daniel and Ivan – if he’s got his hood off yet – absolutely cannot see Jerome’s shock and concern. “What’s wrong -”

“Jerome,” I hiss, “if you say anything about this to anyone in this house right now -”

“Oh my god – ” his eyes go wide as he realizes what’s happening, “Oh my god, Fay, you’re in labor!?”

“Would you shut up!?” I whisper shout, glancing over my shoulder towards my bedroom. “We are getting…” I moan for a second, distracted by the pain, unable to finish my sentence. But then I take a deep breath and press on. “We are getting through this now, and both Daniel and Kent will have a meltdown if they find out -”