[ELARA'S POV]
Labor started at thirty-nine weeks exactly.
Three am. Water broke. Contractions immediate and strong.
"Damian." I shook him. "It's time."
He was up instantly. CEO mode even half-asleep. "How far apart?"
"Four minutes. It's moving fast."
"Fuck. Okay. I'm calling Marguerite. You get dressed."
Patricia wasn't here. Night off. Marguerite would come stay with the kids.
I got dressed between contractions. Each one stronger. Closer. This baby was coming fast.
Damian was on the phone. Packing the hospital bag. Moving efficiently.
Five pregnancies. We had this down to a science.
Marguerite arrived in fifteen minutes. Hair perfect despite the hour. "Go. I have the children."
We left. Drove to the hospital. I was breathing through contractions. Squeezing Damian's hand hard enough to bruise.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Peachy. Just growing and expelling a human. Normal Saturday night."
"Fifth time. You're a professional."
