**


    Josie''s POV **


    I sit forward in the bath, ready to get out and curl up in bed with my guys, but as I move I feel an odd pop in my lower back. It takes me a second to realise what it is as a sudden gush of warm water moves between my legs.


    "I think my waters just broke," I tell the guys.


    The room falls deadly still and silent for a second before everyone moves at once. Mason lifts me from the water and carries me into the bedroom with Theo running ahead of us to pull back the bed sheets.


    "Everyone stay calm, no one panic," Theo calls, sounding anything but calm.


    "Someone call Dot and Art," Mason says as heys me on the bed with such tenderness that I want to cry again.


    Axel rushes in with a towel, getting to work on drying me off whilst I hear Deacon on the phone talking. I''m a little dazed and shocked that this is happening, and the guys are all in a frenzied state of panic. Lukees in with a towel wrapped around his waist and puts on the calmingbour ylist I''d put together in thest week. Then they all go quiet as they look down at me expectantly.


    "Well?" Theo asks.


    "Well, what?" I ask.


    "Aren''t you supposed to be like, screaming and pushing and stuff?" he frowns.


    "I don''t think it happens that fast," Iugh, and attempt to move, feeling a little on show right now.


    “Someone get me a torch, let me see what''s happening,” Theo says attempting to push open my legs.


    "Let''s wait for an actual doctor," Iugh, batting his hands away, "can someone get me a long T-shirt or something, I''d rather not bepletely naked when Art gets here,"


    Someone lets out a small growl and I roll my eyes. Deacon helps me sit up and Axel pulls off his T-shirt, before pulling it over my head and I immediately feel less vulnerable.


    "I''m going to be sick," Mason


    rumbles and rushes to the bathroom with Theo close on his heel.


    I scoot off of the bed to go and check on him but as I stand up more water leaks


    from me and this time ites with a dull pain low in my abdomen.


    "Oh," I breathe, gripping Deacon''s arm that is around me.


    "Sit back on the bed," Deacon says softly.


    "No, I''m okay, it''s easing off," I smile and walk towards the bathroom.


    "I''m terrified, Theo, what if something bad happens to them? What if I''m a terrible father?" I hear Mason say and my heart clenches.


    "I''ve already told you, you are going to be a great father, now get your shit together and get back in there because our girl needs you right now," Theo tells him.


    "We are all worried, Mace, it''s normal," Deacon says as we reach the bathroom door.


    Mason''s wide eyes move to me and I see the fear there. He has his shields up tight but I don''t need them to know how terrified he is. 1


    "Come here," I say softly, holding a hand out to him.


    Mason takes my hand and steps closer to me. I ce his hand over my bump and smile at him.


    "I''m scared too, but between us all, I know we are going to get through this just fine. I just need you to be with us right now. Let''s take this one step at a time, okay?" I smile,


    "Okay," he nods.


    I rest my head on his chest and screw my eyes closed, gripping his upper arms as another cramping pain begins.


    "I''m sorry," Mason whispers, his arms moving around me. He rests his head on


    top of mine, supporting me the only way he can.


    "The Calvery has arrived, where is she?" I hear Dot''s cheerful voice call.


    "In here," Luke shouts.


    "Aww, that''s a beautiful sight. I hope someone got a picture," Dot says and I lift my head to look at her with scowl. This is not the time for pictures. "How are we doing, Sweetie? Can we get a look at you?" she asks.


    I nod and walk slowly back to the bed with Mason and Deacon supporting me.


    "Tell us what happened?" Art says with a friendly smile as he puts on some gloves.


    "I felt a pop in my back and then a gush of water. I''ve had two contractions since then," I exin.


    "Any pain before that?" he asks.


    "Yes," I admit, "but nothing major,"


    "What? Why didn''t you tell us?" Luke asks.


    "Because I wasn''t sure what it was, it wasn''t bad,"


    Art examines me and says I''m only four centimetres dted. He leaves soon after, promising to be back as soon as Dot calls him. Dot advises me to keep moving as much as possible to speed things along and then she goes downstairs to make everyone some tea and give us some privacy. Deacon calls Freya and my mum to let them know and then the guys start informing their families whilst Axel holds me against him. We sway softly to the music as he murmurs how much he loves me and how well I''m doing.


    Soon all my guys take turns swaying with me and whispering words of encouragement through every contraction. The room is peaceful and so full of love. It''s perfect. When the contractions be too intense for me to stay standing unsupported Dot encourages me to get into whatever position feels right for me, which is on my hands and knees right now. Someone rubs my lower back as I tremble through another intense contraction.


    "Does anyone else have a horribly confusing boner right now?" Theo whispers. "Come near me with that thing and I will bite it," I growl.


    "Damn, Babe, that is not helping," he groans.


    I had asked for minimal medical intervention, with just Art and Dot on standby if I needed them but as soon as the


    wolf alerting urge to pushes over me I find myself calling out for them to help. Something feels wrong, my me to an issue.


    Dot and Arte rushing in and somehow I end up on my back on the bed. I have no idea who moved me or who''s hands are on me but Art is shouting something that I can''t understand.


    "Listen to me, Josie, you are having a panic attack, you need to breathe through it and listen to what Art is


    saying.” Deacon insists and 1 nod in understanding. Did he justpet me? I don''t care if he did, I obetensly needed it.


    "Josie, the baby is a little stressed so we need to get her o quickly as possible, okay?" Art says and Ind


    There''s amotion somewhere in the room but I ignore, focussing on Art


    "You are doing great, Josie, on your next contraction you are going to push with everything you have, don''t stop until I tell you," Art says.


    "You''ve got this, Beauty," Axel says, leaning down to kiss thy sweaty head before holding my leg up how Art shows him.


    Deacon takes my other leg and Theo and Luke each take one of my hands. My heart sinks when I don''t see Mason, but then I feel him move behind me, helping me sit up slightly and I lean against his chest. His hands are on my shoulders and he squeezes them gently.


    N.O Darling Author


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