Lily
"I NEED TO do sothing," I cried as I paced the floor.
"Baby girl, you need to sit down," Mom said as she wrapped an arm around Cassidy, who was sitting on the sofa and staring off into space.
"I can’t," I whispered.
"Dammit, Lily, sit down," Cassidy demanded. "I will not have you falling down. I can’t worry about you while I’m worried about two of my other kids."
Cassidy had never spoken to that way. I’d never heard her talk to anyone that way, so I sat down, despite the fact it made crazy to do so. Charley could obviously feel my stress because she was doing sorsaults in my belly, and they were almost painful. I took a few calming breaths, hoping to ease my baby’s fears, but all I managed to do was to break into wracking sobs.
Cassidy shook her head, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "I’m sorry, honey. I just really need you safe, okay? If you go into labor or wear yourself out, I couldn’t bear it."
"It’s okay, Cass. I get it."
A few minutes later, Poppy (with Devon following) rushed into the basent. "Are you okay?" she asked, wrapping her arms around gently.
"I’m fine. I just want to know how Maverick is." I glanced up at Devon. "What have you heard?"
"Nothin’, Lil. I have to head out." He pulled Poppy toward him. "Do not leave this basent until I get you, got it?"
"What if Sid cos?"
He sighed. "If Hatch gives the all-clear, then obviously, you can leave."
"Oh, can I, wise and generous one?" she deadpanned.
Devon rolled his eyes, but I noticed him squeeze her hand gently. Devon really did care about Poppy. He might need to step up his ga in the form of better communication, but I figured they’d sort it out... eventually.
After Devon had left, Poppy sat on the sofa next to . "Can I get you sothing, Lil?"
"I’d love so water, please."
"No problem." Poppy grabbed bottled waters for everyone, and we went back to our silent panicking.
As the hours passed, pretty much all of the Vancouver area Dogs’ won and children filled Hatch’s safe room. The folks in Portland were at the compound, but the longer we were stuck in the room, albeit a large space, the more panicked I beca. Especially since as more people showed up—who weren’t Maverick and Tillie—I realized it ant things weren’t going well.
At midnight, Mom forced to lie down in the guest bedroom. I had been cramping for about an hour, and I had been trying to hide it. Unfortunately, Mom knew and could tell sothing was off, so now, she and Cassidy were fussing over . I hated that Cassidy was dealing with all of this. I hated we all were, but having two of your children in danger must be torture for her.
"I think I should call Macey," Mom said, stroking my hair.
"Dallas won’t let her out of his sight," I said.
Cassidy sighed. "She’s right, Pay. Pretty sure Jaxon and Brock are with Carter and Hawk, so Dallas will probably be with Bailey and Macey."
"Shit," Mom hissed.
"I’m okay," I assured her, rubbing my belly and easing so of the discomfort. "I’m sure it’s just stress."
"This is bullshit," Mom snapped. "I’m going to find out what the hell is going on."
"Pay—" Cassidy started.
"Watch my girl, Cass," she said and left the room.
Cassidy groaned and followed. A few minutes later, Poppy walked in and stretched out on the bed beside . "Your moms have gone postal."
"I was afraid of that." I sat up. "We need to stop them."
"No." Poppy squeezed my arm. "Flea and Sid are upstairs. There’s no way in hell those two will get past them."
I settled back on the pillows. "Why is Hatch here? I thought he’d be with my dad."
"Your dad asked him to be here, and Flea said he goes where you go." Poppy smiled. "Precious cargo and all."
"I need this to be over, Poppy." I forced back tears. "I need Maverick."
"I know, honey." She sighed. "He’s going to be okay."
"What if he’s not? What if they do sothing to Tillie? I couldn’t bear it."
"I know this is just lip-service, but you can’t think that way." Poppy settled her hand on my belly. "Charley needs you to stay calm."
I nodded, the tears leaking down my cheeks. "I can’t live without him, Poppy."
"You’re not going to have to live without him." She wiped the tears from my cheek. "Maverick would lose his mind if he knew you were thinking like this."
"I just want to know where he is," I whispered.
"You know that guy Ryder?"
I nodded.
"Mum says Sid thinks he’s the shit. Ryder’s been really helpful getting information to Crow and the rest of the guys, and you know what everyone thinks of Sadie."
I smiled. "She’s amazing."
"Exactly. So trust that they’re going to find Maverick and Tillie, okay?"
I nodded. "I’ll try."
"Good. I think you should try and sleep."
I snorted. "That’s never going to happen."
"I did say try..."
"Thanks, Poppy. You’re a pretty good Maverick stand-in."
She giggled. "I’m your SIM?"
"Stand-in Maverick? Yeah, totally."
"Just don’t make suck your tits. I’m all about the cock."
"Ohmigod, Poppy, warn next ti." I laughed so hard, Charley started sorsaulting again and I peed a little. "Thank you," I said once I could breathe again.
"You’re welco."
I took a couple of deep breaths, feeling a little less out of control than I had a few minutes ago.
Startled by the bedroom door slamming open, I sat up with a gasp.
"They found them," Mom said. "They’re at the hospital. We need to go now."
"What?" I slid off the bed, but a sharp pain shooting through my stomach had gripping the mattress. "Why are they at the hospital?" I rasped.
"I don’t know..." She wrapped an arm around my waist. "Baby girl, what’s wrong?"
"I’m okay. Just take to Maverick." I tried to walk, but I couldn’t seem to move without pain, and I involuntarily cried out as I stepped forward.
Mom rushed to the door and bellowed, "Soone find Hatch."
"Where’s Flea?"
"He got called out," Mom said. "Hatch and Devon are here."
"Mom, I’m okay."
"You’re not okay, Lily. We need to get you to Legacy."
I frowned. "Where’s Mav?"
"Emmanuel."
"Then take to Emmanuel."
"Baby girl, you’re going to Legacy. I can’t risk driving you all the way to Emmanuel if sothing’s wrong with the baby."
"I swear to God, Mom, if you don’t take to Maverick first, I will never speak to you again."
"What’s wrong?" Hatch asked from the doorway. Hatch was in his fifties with long salt-and-pepper hair and an epic beard, and to say he was gorgeous was an understatent. He’d pulled his hair back into a man bun, and he rocked the look.
"My daughter’s being stubborn," Mom said. "She’s in pain, so we need to get her to the hospital, but she’s insisting on going to Emmanuel."
I grimaced as pain shot through my stomach again. Hatch didn’t waste any ti as he gently lifted then carried upstairs and out to his truck.
"I’m gonna get you to Maverick, Lil. I’m gonna defer to you on the pain side of things because you’re a nurse and you know what you can take, but you don’t lie to if it’s bad, hear ?"
I nodded as I secured my seatbelt.
"Swear it," Hatch demanded.
"I swear, Hatch."
He nodded and closed my door. Maisie stood on the porch with Poppy, and Hatch said sothing to them, kissed Maisie, and then jogged to the driver’s side. Mom and Cassidy had already jumped into the backseat, so we took off for Portland.
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