Vivian Arend - Rocky Mountain Haven

“She’s doing great. It’s a few weeks before her due date, but it’s May already so there’s no concern. It’s your brother who—” Beth lowered her voice again. “Okay, there’s no other way to say this, but he’s having a little trouble, and I think he needs someone to hold his hand.”

The first wave of fear washed away only to be replaced with confusion. “Blake’s in trouble? Why’s he in trouble if Jaxi’s in labour?”

“ Because Jaxi’s in labour? I don’t know, Daniel, but I’d appreciate if you got here quickly. Jaxi wants him to stick around, and we think he’s on the verge of making for the hills.”

Oh hell no, that wouldn’t go over well with Jaxi at all. Daniel found his face being split by a huge grin. “I’m on my way. How’s Jaxi?”

“Great. She should have the baby in the next couple hours or so if things continue well. The doctors don’t seem worried at all, at least not about her. I think they’re imagining Blake falling into a faint and cracking his head open on the floor or something.”

Oh, the ammunition they were going to have to tease Blake with in the future. “Jaxi have no problem with me joining you in the labour room?”

Beth’s sweet laugh stroked him with her delight. “She’s kicked out all the interns and spare nurses, but she’s the one who said to call you. Said she figured you’d be too busy taunting Blake about being a wuss to be peeking at her privates.”

Only Jaxi.

He pulled into the parking lot and headed for the main doors. “I’m nearly there. What floor, and then tell me quick how you’re doing, darling.”

“Third floor, room four. I’m—I’m so glad I can be here for this. I’m still shocked that Jaxi asked me to help her. It’s a little tough, but it’s good. And, my God, is Jaxi ever a hoot. Even in labour she’s bossing Blake around and cracking jokes. I need to get back. See you soon?”

“In a few minutes.”

Daniel tugged off his coat as he ran the stairs. He never thought he’d get to witness a baby’s arrival. He’d never thought he’d be called on to make sure his big brother stayed around to see it either.

He wasn’t sure which tickled him more.

The staff at the top of the stairs eyed him for all of two seconds before his cousin Tamara stood and pointed the way. “It’s the start of a whole new Six Pack generation. We got the phone lines warmed up and ready to spread the news.”

“How are the bets standing?”

Tamara laughed. “Boys are the top choice as expected. About eight out of ten figure that way.”

Daniel’s cheeks hurt from grinning so hard. There was a baby coming, and he was going to get to see his nephew arrive. Or niece. What an incredible twist to his day. He’d helped deliver enough animals over the years he wasn’t worried about the messy parts about to happen. It was the miracle of it this time being a tiny person that threatened to blow his mind.

Course he wasn’t about to tell his sister-in-law he’d been comparing cows in labour to her about to give birth.

Daniel paused to knock on the door.

The wooden surface swung inward, and Beth’s curls bounced into view. She winked and let him in. He stepped forward cautiously, uncertain what he was about to witness.

He didn’t expect the scene to involve a very pregnant Jaxi, decked out in a pretty blue robe, holding on to a tall pole that held a contraption with blinking lights. Wires led off the square and disappeared under her robe, but other than that she looked normal. She stood beside what looked to be a La-Z-boy rocker. Blake occupied the chair, stretched nearly flat with his feet raised and head back.

Daniel laughed. “You two got something mixed up from what I remember in the text books.”

Jaxi turned to greet him, the edges of her smile tighter than usual. “Hey, you. Did I call you away from something important?”

He crossed the distance between them and wrapped her in a hug. “Nothing more important than this. Don’t you worry. I’m here for however long you need and whatever you need me for.”

The bulk of her belly pressed him, the pole got in the way, and for a second he wasn’t sure where and what he was supposed to touch or not touch. She ignored his discomfort and buried her face against his chest, close for a brief moment before releasing him. She lifted her chin, and he squeezed the fingers she’d slipped into his hand.

“Come on, Jaxi.” Beth moved past him to duck under Jaxi’s arm and urge her toward the door, the pole rolling along with them. “We can walk the hall for another lap before the doctor gets back to check you.”

Jaxi poked out her tongue. “Yes, ma’am. You’re a slave driver.”

“Of course I am. And since I’m supposed to distract you, I’d love you to tell me another story about the boys when they were growing up. Something embarrassing. Know any more?”

“How about the time Daniel got himself locked in the girls’ bathroom at school?”

Oh God. Having Jaxi as a sister-in-law was dangerous. She knew every story worth knowing, having been around for most of their lives. Of course, half the town had the same memories as well, so it wasn’t as if he had any deep, dark secrets to keep.

Beth blew him a kiss over her shoulder just before the women exited the room.

There was an extra chair in the corner, so Daniel dragged it over and sat in it backward. He rested his arms along the top rail and stared at Blake.

His brother’s eyes were closed.

Daniel snorted. “Glad you’re able to relax and take it easy at a time like this.”

“I’m feeling good enough to belt you into tomorrow if I want.”

“That’s nice. You up for watching your son or daughter arrive?”

“Oh, God.” Blake dragged himself upright, a tinge of green under his skin. “Daniel, this is killing me.”

“Jaxi seems to be doing well.”

“Yeah, except when I’m walking the hall with her, and she stops and does that weird breathing thing and her fingers dig into my arm so hard I know it’s got to hurt like the blazes. And suddenly there’s these white spots swirling in front of my eyes, and if you tell anyone I’m a wimp, I’ll never forgive you.”

He tried to wipe the smile from his face, he really did. “You’re going to have to threaten at least a half-dozen relatives to achieve silence on this one, one of them your wife. I don’t think you’ll have much luck there.”

Daniel offered his hand and Blake accepted it sheepishly, rising to his feet uneasily. “Thanks for the sympathy.”

He pushed Blake in the direction of the attached bathroom. “I feel for you. I do. Got to be nothing worse than having to watch someone you love hurting and not be able to do anything about it.”

“Damn right.” Blake splashed his face with water.

Daniel leaned on the wall and tried to remember the last time his brother had ever lost control like this. “But you’re going to stay and do whatever you need to, right?”

Blake stopped in the middle of patting his face dry and pulled the towel away to frown at Daniel. “Of course, I’m staying. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Only…” He took a big breath and spoke curtly. “If you notice me getting wobbly on my feet, poke me, hard. That should help.”

Permission to poke his brother. This got better and better. “No problem. I got you covered.”

The door swung open, and Blake hurried across the room to take over for Beth. He brushed a loose strand of hair off Jaxi’s face before kissing her tenderly.

Daniel got distracted by Beth making her way to his side. “What’s up?” he asked.

“She’s ‘feeling funny’ which is usually woman code for the next stage of the game. You ready?”