“Austin, I know this isn’t the way you and Charlotte planned for your baby to make his or her grand entrance, but I want you to know I’m going to do everything I can to make certain everything goes smoothly. Charlotte is young and healthy.” Bristol’s calm was broken for few seconds by a broad grin. “These are the times when being a shifter pays off in spades.” Calm surrounded her once again, the face Israel was quickly coming to recognize as her professional persona sliding effortlessly back into place.
“Your job—your only job—is to support your wife. Everything else is on me. I want to make certain you understand that before we walk in there. It’s going to get a little crazy at times, and you’re accustomed to being in charge—you have to let that go for a while. I want you to keep your focus on Charlotte.”
Turning to Israel, she asked, “Can you please get my car keys from my locker—number twenty-eight. I need the black bag from the back seat of my car.” Israel nodded and took off jogging toward the club’s back entrance. He’d have the attendant open the locker if he couldn’t get it open himself. Behind him, he heard his mate tell Austin it was time to go. Bristol sprinted past him. Austin’s muttered curses made Israel laugh as they entered the club together.
“Fucking hell, she’s fast. Where on earth are her shoes?” Israel held up the strappy sandals and grinned.
“We’re out of shape, brother. We both work too hard and exercise too little. That was damned humbling.”
Bristol was pleased to find the first aid station at the club was better equipped than some emergency rooms she’d worked in. The area wasn’t particularly well-equipped for childbirth, but she’d made do with a lot less. When Bristol saw Israel step into the open door, holding her bag, she moved quickly to where he waited patiently.
“Thanks so much…” Before she could say anything else, he pulled her against his chest, holding her until she took a deep breath.
“You’re welcome, Beautiful. I’ll be right outside the door if you need anything else—even if it’s nothing more than a hug.” The sudden rush of emotion she felt was so unexpected, she wasn’t sure what to do with it. Sentiment had never been a significant part of her life. For so many years, everything had centered on her education, and she’d always known setting aside feelings would be a critical part of being able to make fact-based decisions for patients.
“When my niece or nephew finally makes their appearance, I’ll be here waiting. If you think I’m going to let you fade into the background, you should think again.”
She nodded numbly. Part of her knew she needed to get back to Charlotte, but her body’s off-the-chart physical reaction made it almost impossible to remember anything beyond a crazy desire to be touched by this man. When he finally took a step back, Bristol shook her head, chastising herself to get her head back down out of the damned clouds.
“Go.” Israel gave her a quick kiss and smiled. “I can hear my brother freaking out.”
Twenty minutes later, Bristol swiped sweat from her brow, wishing somebody would turn on a damned fan. She was going to be dehydrated by the time Austin and Charlotte’s baby decided to make an appearance. I’m on it, sweetness. Hang on while I find the thermostat. As startled as she was by the reminder Israel could hear her thoughts, Bristol felt tears of gratitude burn her eyes when cool air moved through the room.
“Praise be the Goddess of Air Conditioning. I was two heartbeats from dying of heatstroke,” Charlotte gasped between her contractions. They were coming so close together, there was only a few seconds between them. “Why did I think I could do this without drugs? Crap on a prickly cactus, I’m not ready to be a mother. Don’t you have to pass some sort of class to be a parent? I didn’t even get a syllabus, let alone take the final. Fuckity fuck, I barely passed the exam to get my driver’s license. I changed my mind. Please send the baby back. I’ll get one later—when there are drugs. Yes, that is a great idea. Poke the baby with the head the size of a fricking watermelon back into his or her papa.”
“Little Star, you are pushing your luck. Dr. B. said you couldn’t be held responsible for anything said during delivery, but it would be unwise to take advantage of my generosity.” Austin’s voice took on a tone any submissive would recognize. The man was a Dom to the tips of his toes. Charlotte was busy pushing, but the glare she leveled at her husband was easy to read.
“The exemption stands, Mr. Adler. I make certain all fathers know, especially the Doms. You have to understand the rules going in, or you get to pace in the waiting room.” Bristol was only half-concentrating on the conversation. She was much more interested in the dark head of hair inching closer. Damn, this baby was going to be the envy of the nursery. “Your wife is going through childbirth, without the epidural block she’d planned on having—she has more than earned that grace.”
“I’m never having sex again. Never. It’s too dangerous. I should have read the book. No more mindless passion for me… I’m going to become a nun.” The shocked look on Austin Adler’s face was priceless—too bad, Bristol didn’t have time to enjoy it.
“One more push, Mama. You’ll have a baby in your arms before you know it. Charlotte, you have been amazing. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a first-time mother deliver naturally without shredding their husband. I’m sure Austin is damned proud of you.” Grab it with both hands, Papa. I just threw you a huge lifeline.
Austin wasn’t the only one who’d done their homework. Bristol checked him out when Charlotte first expressed an interest in becoming a patient. Austin’s business reputation was akin to local legend. He’d taken his parents’ failing oil enterprise and turned it into a phenomenal success. Adler Oil was diversifying and growing so fast, articles about it were outdated almost as soon as they were printed. His success wasn’t an accident—the man was widely regarded as a brilliant businessman.
He walked confidently through the opening she’d given him.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more impressed with anyone, Little Star. Dr. B is right, you are amazing, and I’m humbled to see what you have endured to bring our child into the world.” He helped her lift up, so she’d have more leverage for the final push, kissing her brow and whispering endearments Bristol tried to tune out. Seconds later, the problem was solved when the cries of baby Adler filled the room.
“Congratulations, you have a very handsome son. I don’t think he is particularly happy with me at the moment, but I promise to make it up to him.” She wiped the squirming little boy off as much as she could before placing him on his mama’s chest. “You three enjoy a few minutes of bonding while I finish up things down below. We’ll have you ready for transport in no time.”
She would ride to the hospital in the ambulance as a precaution and hope like holy hell, she could persuade a taxi driver to bring her back to the club to pick up her car. Last night’s full moon meant she’d spent all night delivering babies, only catching a short nap before she’d headed to Prairie Winds to help with the wedding reception. At this point, she was running on caffeine and a prayer.