Brian sat in the worn chair, trying to focus on the conversation around him, but his body wasn't cooperating. The baby had been kicking for the last few minutes, sending jolts of pain through his stomach. The kicks had always been a little uncomfortable, but this was different—sharp, almost like little shocks that made him wince with every movement. He placed a hand on his belly, rubbing gently, but it wasn't helping. The discomfort was growing, and soon the tightness in his abdomen joined the waves of pain.

A sharp jolt of pressure made him stop mid-sentence. The pain was too much to ignore now, and Brian couldn't stop himself from letting out a soft hiss between his teeth. "Not now," he muttered to himself, his voice strained, "not now…"

From under the hood of the Skyline, Dom's sharp eyes caught the slight flinch in Brian's posture. He straightened up, wiping his hands on a rag, his frown deepening as he watched Brian closely. "You okay?" Dom's voice was low, but the concern was clear.

Brian forced a weak smile, trying to mask the discomfort he was feeling. "Yeah. I'm good. Thanks." He hoped the words would be enough. Dom's intense gaze made it hard to lie, but he wasn't ready to admit just how bad it was. Not yet.

The pain came in waves now, like a tightening band around his ribs. He took a slow breath, trying to will it away, but it wasn't working. He glanced at Bunny, his service dog, who was lying quietly at his feet, her eyes focused intently on him. The dog let out a small whine, her head tilting, sensing his distress.

Vince, who had been on the opposite side of the car, looked up when Bunny started pacing, her nails clicking against the concrete floor. He wiped his hands on his coveralls, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Brian. "Everything alright, man?"

Brian didn't answer right away, the pain too intense for him to think clearly. He tried to steady himself, but his hand found its way back to his stomach, rubbing circles in a futile attempt to soothe the ache. Bunny was still pacing, now barking softly, her anxiety starting to match his own.

Dom's eyes narrowed, his suspicion growing. "Brian," he said, his tone gentler this time, "You don't look so good. Are you sure you're alright?"

Brian let out a short laugh, trying to sound more at ease than he felt. "I'm fine, Dom. Just a bit of discomfort, you know? Baby's moving around a lot."

But Dom wasn't buying it. He stepped closer, crouching in front of Brian. His voice softened, but there was an edge of urgency now. "This isn't just discomfort, man. You look like you're about to pass out. Let's get you inside, yeah?"

Brian hesitated, but the pain didn't let up. Each breath felt harder to take, and the waves of pressure were relentless. He tried to push it aside, but it was becoming harder to ignore. "I… I'm fine. Really," he protested weakly.

Dom wasn't hearing it. "Nope. We're getting you inside. Let me help you." He didn't give Brian a chance to protest further. Before Brian could argue, Dom gently but firmly helped him to his feet.

Bunny, sensing something was wrong, started barking again, louder this time. Her anxiety was palpable, and it only seemed to worsen the more Brian struggled to stay steady on his feet. His cane was barely helping as he took a few unsteady steps, his legs feeling like they might buckle under him. Dom guided him gently, his presence strong and supportive, as they made their way toward the house.

The closer they got, the more the tension in Brian's body seemed to build. He could feel the tightness in his abdomen growing worse, and a new wave of pain washed over him. It felt like a rope tightening around his body, constricting with each breath. He wanted to sit down, but he couldn't—his legs wouldn't hold him. "Dom…" he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper, "It hurts."

Dom didn't respond right away, but his grip tightened slightly on Brian's arm, guiding him forward with more determination. "Just a little further, Brian. You're almost there."

When they reached the house, Letty and Mia were already there, having appeared from the back of the shop. They exchanged worried glances when they saw Brian's strained expression and the way Dom was supporting him.

"What's going on?" Letty asked, her voice sharp with concern.

"Help him inside," Dom instructed. "We need to get him settled."

Letty immediately moved to Brian's other side, her hands steady as she helped him the rest of the way into the house. Bunny followed close behind, staying glued to Brian's side, her ears perked and her body tense. Brian's breath came in quick, shallow bursts now, and every movement felt like a struggle. But he couldn't stop—he had to keep moving.

Once inside, Brian's legs finally gave out, and he collapsed into a chair, letting out a deep sigh of relief. But even sitting down didn't ease the pain. His hand moved instinctively to his stomach again, his fingers pressing against the tightness there.

Mia kneeled beside him, her eyes scanning him carefully. "What's going on, Brian?" she asked, her voice quiet but urgent.

Brian struggled to find the words. "I… I think it's starting." His voice wavered with the realization. "I'm—I'm going into labor."

The words hung in the air, heavy and overwhelming. His heart raced at the thought, and panic began to creep in. He hadn't expected it to happen this soon. He wasn't ready. The baby wasn't due for another week, but here it was. The first signs of labor.

Letty's face softened with understanding, but there was no mistaking the worry in her eyes. "We need to get you to a hospital," she said gently.

Brian shook his head weakly. "I can't… I just need to rest. I can't do a hospital right now."

Dom was already on the phone, dialing someone, his voice low but urgent as he spoke. "Get the doctor here. Now."

Mia turned to Letty, her voice tense. "I'll go get the bag. We're not taking any chances." She hurried off, the sound of her footsteps echoing as she disappeared into another room.

Brian's breath hitched as another wave of pain hit him, and he closed his eyes tightly, trying to ride it out. Bunny was still at his side, her head resting on his leg as she stayed close. Her presence was a small comfort, but the fear in his chest was growing with every passing minute. This was really happening. And he wasn't ready.

Dom returned to his side, placing a hand on Brian's shoulder. "Stay with me, alright? We've got you. You're not alone in this."

Brian nodded weakly, but the knot in his stomach tightened. He wasn't sure if he could get through this, not this soon. But for the moment, he allowed himself to lean on Dom and Letty, grateful for the support. He had no idea what was coming next, but he knew one thing for sure—he wasn't facing it alone.