“Oh geeze,” I say when we pull up to Cora and Roger’s house in the pre- dawn morning and see that every light is on. “You ready for this?” “Sure!” Sinclair says, grinning at me as he puts the car in park at the end of the driveway. “It will be a nice role reversal – this time Roger can be the one worried sick and I can be in the background cracking jokes.” “Aww, sweetheart,” I say, grinning at my mate and putting a soft hand on his cheek. “It’s cute that you think you’re funny enough to crack jokes.” Sinclair’s brows knit together as he frowns at me. “What are you talking about?

I’m very funny.” “Okay, baby,” I murmur, patting his shoulder as I turn to climb out of the car.

“I am!” he insists as he gets out of the driver’s seat and starts around the car.

“Dominic,” I sigh, hiding my teasing grin as I lean into the car and unbuckle Rafe, pulling him into my arms. “You have so many blessings. Why do you need to be funny too?” “Because I am funny!” Sinclair says, crossing his arms and glaring at me.

“Okay!” I say cheerfully, not contracting him but moving quickly towards the front door of the house without confirming either.

“Ella!” he scoffs, striding after me.

“What!?” I laugh, knocking on the door for once instead of just striding in because I want to give Cora and Roger their privacy if they’re not ready for us.

We did get here really fast, after all the roads were empty this early.

“I make you laugh all the time,” Sinclair says, still frowning down at me.

burst into laughter. Sinclair opens

sighs a deep, tortured breath and I pat him on his shoulder as I hurry past him and up the stairs to Cora, taking the plate of toast she’s carrying out of her hand, Rafe perched on my hip. Cora smiles her thanks at me and presses

use the stair lift chair?”

growls as she continues to lift herself up one step at a

“It’s just fun.” This makes her laugh a little and she. shakes her head at me. “Okay, good,” she says. “Someone sane is here. Can you please have Dominic just tie the other one up downstairs until this is all finished?” “Can you please talk some sense into her, Ella?” Roger calls from the bottom of the steps, and I turn to see him standing

ask, looking between them, baffled. Because honestly Cora looks fine to me just very pregnant and in the early stages

Roger insists as Sinclair closes the front door and stands at his brother’s side at the bottom of the stairs, radiating support but unable to keep a little smile from his mouth, clearly enjoying seeing his big brother all freaked out. “This idea of a home birth was a terrible idea – what were we thinking -” “We decided on a home birth months ago, Roger!” Cora calls over her shoulder, sighing as she does. I grin at her as we get to

him as Cora and

toast on the side table before lifting Rafe more securely into my arms. Cora climbs into bed and then puts her hands out

reason to not do it at home, and I’ve got

safer in a hospital,” Roger says, crossing his arms as he comes into

he stares at me. “You almost died, Ella!” “Oh,” I say, turning my head to the side as I remember it. “Oh yeah!” I laugh a little, giving a shrug. ” Honestly, I always forget that part…” Roger just groans, turning away and covering his face with his hands. “He’s watched

say, smiling at Roger’s turned back, but I turn back to Cora when I hear her moan a little. ” Contraction?” I

Cora answers tightly, taking a deep breath. “About five minutes apart.” “Did your water break?” She nods, but doesn’t answer, clearly gritting her teeth through the pain. I murmur to her consolingly and reach for

hear Roger murmur, coming quickly to my side. “Is she…is she all right?” “I’m right here!” Cora

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