Lia

"Should I call for the midwife?" Rafe askes anxiously. "Maybe you should lie down."

"I will let you know when I feel like it's time for the baby to come," I say, trying not to sound as irritated as I am. I place a hand on his arm and push him gently towards the door. "I know you have important things to do today, and my being pregnant is not going to get in the way of that."

He grounds himself so that I can't push him further "Lia, I don't want you to be upset with me, it's just that…" he stops and looks around the room like trying to find the least offensive way to speak his mind.

I cross my arms, cocking an eyebrow, "What?"

"You," another pause and he runs his hands down my arms placatingly, "you seem…different. I can't explain it, but I think…maybe you're going into labor."

"I seem different?" My voice rises, incredulous. Heat flushing up my neck. "Maybe I'm just sick and tired of being stuck in this room for months. Maybe I'm exhausted but can't sleep. Maybe I'm incredibly uncomfortable all the time, Rafe! Maybe, that's why I seem different!"

I turn my back to him and stalk toward the window, biting down on my lip to keep the tears at bay.

"Lia," he says, his voice soft as he approaches me, "I'm sorry. I just don't want to miss it."

When his hand brushes my shoulder, I pull away, drawing in a shaky breath to calm myself. "Nothing is going to happen. Now, will you please go? Pauline is coming to visit soon, and I don't want her to see us fighting."

"Okay," he says softly. I hear his boots cross the room and the door creak open, "I love you."

"I love you too." I whisper, my back still to him.

As soon as the door closes, the tears are streaming down my face. I press the heels of my hands into my eyes willing myself to stop, but it's no use. The frustration and helplessness of the past few weeks swell like a tidal wave, and I'm drowning.

A little while later, there's a knock on my door, and Pauline steps in, her gentle voice pulling me up for air, "Lia? What's wrong?"

I try to answer, but the tears continue, falling faster than I can stop them. She crosses the room and wraps her arms around me, guiding me to the small table in the corner. She waits patiently as I wipe my face, taking my hand in hers.

"Rafe and I fought this morning." I say, my voice wavering.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asks, her expression calm and encouraging.

I look down at my hands, then nod. "I haven't been feeling well today—no appetite, an aching back. After breakfast, I stood up and felt this sharp pain. It took my breath away, but I've felt it before. The midwife said it's normal at the end of pregnancy."

Pauline listens quietly as I recount the argument. "Rafe thought I was going into labor. He said I seemed…different. I didn't ask him what he meant; I was too busy yelling at him." I sigh. "He overreacted, but so did I. I just hate being stuck in this room, Pauline. I feel useless. All I ever see any more are these walls. I'm worried about my Rahtan who still aren't back."

She squeezes my hand. "I understand. This is almost over though. Just think—soon, you'll be holding that baby girl in your arms. Rafe is worried, and he should be. That's his job as your husband and the father of your child. Try to go easy on him."

"And about your Rahtan," she says, "You've had them trained well. I'm sure they are just making sure they do everything the right way. If something were going wrong, we would hear from them again."

I nod slowly, her words sinking in. "You're right."

Her gaze flicks to my hand, where I had unconsciously started rubbing my back. "Are you hurting?"

"Just a normal amount," I say, brushing it off. "Achy and crampy, that's all."

She raises an eyebrow. "The normal amount of hurting is no hurting."

I open my mouth to argue but stop. Am I brushing off the signs? Fear clawed at me, but I push it back down. "I'm fine."

Pauline's smile is knowing. "Just listen to your body. I'll leave you to rest."

When I wake, Rafe is kneeling beside the bed, brushing the hair from my face. His tender expression unravels the knot of tension in my chest.

You've slept the day away," he says softly. "I thought you might want some dinner before the kitchen closes."

I push myself up, sitting on the edge of the bed. He stays kneeling, hands gently resting on my knees. A tear pricks the corner of my eyes and escapes before I can stop it.

"Lia," he murmurs, brushing the tear away with his thumb, "What is it, love?"

A sob catches in my throat at the warmth in his voice. "I hate that we argued this morning."

His brows knit together, and he shifts to sit beside me. He cups my face in his hands, thumbs stroking my cheeks softly. "I shouldn't have pushed after you said you were okay. I just worry about you—about both of you." His hand rests on my belly, warm and grounding.

"I shouldn't have yelled at you," I admit, my voice trembling. "I've just felt so trapped."

His lips curve into a soft smile, and he tilts my chin up. "Then let's leave this behind us."

Before I can respond, his lips meet mine, warm and gentle at first, but quickly deepening. My hands fist the front of his shirt, pulling him closer. The tension of the day melting away, replaced by a simmering heat that spreads through me. His fingers slide into my hair, cradling the back of my head, while his other hand remains protectively on my belly.

When he tries to pull back, I follow, kissing him with urgency. My body burning with a need I can't ignore.

"Lia," he chuckles between kisses, "what's gotten into you?"

"I need you," I whisper, breathless. "Please."

His eyes search mine, his concern flickering. "Are you sure this is okay?"

"Yes," I lean in to kiss him again, but he evades me. "The midwife said it's fine as long as I'm not flat on my back."

He grabs my face once again, looking into my eyes. He must see my desperation because his expression softens, and he leans in, his lips brushing mine as he whispers, "Do you know how much I love you?"

"No," I tease, my voice shaky. "Show me."

A gleam of mischief lights his eyes. He shifts, grabbing a pillow from the head of the bed to prop under one of my hips, laying me back softly. "There. Not flat."

I smile as he crawls over me, careful to put any weight on my belly. His lips find mine again, this time slower, savoring the moment. I run my hands up the back of his shirt, feeling his muscles tense at my touch. He kisses a trail along my jaw and down my neck, his warm breath sending shivers across my skin.

My body arches toward him as his hand slides up my thigh, bunching the fabric of my nightgown. Just as I start to lose myself in the warmth of him, a sharp pressure ripples through my pelvis, breaking the spell.

I gasp and he must think it's from pleasure because he chuckles.

"Rafe," I say, freezing in place.

He must hear the shift in my tone because he pulls back immediately, "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

I shake my head, but before I can answer, a sudden warmth floods beneath me. I glance down, my heart racing as I realize what is happening. "My water," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "My water just broke."

His eyes meet mine, "Does that mean…" he trails off.

"Yes," I say gripping his arm.

He sits back on his knees, his eyes darting around the room as though trying to decide what to do first. "What should I do?"

"Grab me a towel," I say, sitting up and cringing as another gush of fluid escapes me. "Then find Pauline and send for the midwife."

He is on his feet instantly, returning moments later with a towel that he hands to me before hesitating at the door. "Are you going to be okay alone?"

"You won't be gone long," I say, trying to reassure him. But as another sharp pain builds and tightens around my belly, I reach for his hand. "Just…stay for a moment."

He drops to his knees beside me, his hands enveloping mine. The contraction builds, the pain wrapping around me like a vise. I close my eyes, breathing through it as the midwife had taught me. "See, not that bad." I grit out. When it finally ebbs, I open my eyes to find Rafe watching me, his brows drawn.

"Lia-"

"Go, Rafe!" I say giving his hand a squeeze. "I'll be fine."

He kisses my forehead and hurries out the door, leaving me to brace myself for what's to come.