Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 136

~ Timoria: Aslan Has Different Forms and Faces ~

"Shit!" Lucky swept his hands through his hair, mussing it over his head. His hand rested on the dirt wall beside him as his eyes stared outside the entrance of the tunnel. He heaved an anguished sigh. "Dammit!"

"Selfish, it's only rain," Dawn said, pacing back and forth behind him. Her hands massaged the small of her back as she concentrated on taking slow, deep breaths. The discomfort had evolved into pain. She hadn't said a word to Lucky, but she was almost positive that she was in labor. Oh, God, she silently prayed, please watch over my baby. "We can still make it."

"No, we can't!" he replied, agitated. "It's pouring out there. I'm not risking your health in that mess! Shit!"

"You do realize that screaming about bodily functions at the top of your voice won't make the rain stop any sooner," Dawn told him. She mentally patted herself on the back for being able to tease him while biting back unbelievable pain. Another wave struck her, and she closed her eyes tight. This time a low moan escaped her lips and brought Lucky right to her side.

"Oh, my God!" Lucky said. He cupped her face between his palms, feeling the slick, sticky perspiration as it trailed down her cheeks. "Dawn! Why didn't you tell me?"

Dawn blinked the perspiration from her eyes and gave Lucky a playful frown. "Tell you what?" she asked.

"You're in fucking labor!" he exclaimed, staring at her.

"Geez Louise! You have a mouth like a sailor!" she said, staring back at him.

"I'm sorry-"

"No need to apologize. It doesn't bother me. And, telling you wouldn't have changed a thing."

"No, but at least... Oh, damn!" he groaned. "What are we gonna do?"

"I don't know," she said, quietly. Pain coursed through her again and she clutched Lucky's hand in an iron grip.

Lucky held onto her as she accepted the pain and waited for it to pass. As her breathing returned to something that he could consider as normal, he said, "I think you should sit down. Don't you? Do you know...anything about what we should do?"

Her bottom lip quivered, and she choked back a sob. Focusing on being strong, she said, "Nikky and I took Lamaze classes. I remember that I should breathe and there will be times when I can push and when I shouldn't. I can't remember much else. I guess sitting down would be okay."

"Okay, we can do that. Hold on." Lucky reached inside his well-packed knapsack and removed a blanket. He went back to Dawn and guided her to the blanket. Keeping a firm hand around her waist, he carefully lowered her down to the blanket. He sat beside her and kept his arm around her shoulder. She nestled against him as he asked, "Is this comfortable?"

"Yeah, the rock underneath my butt feels just great," she mumbled. "Yeah, Lucky, it feels fine. Thank you for being...you."

Unsure of what she meant, he mumbled, "You're welcome."

They sat side by side on the dirt floor near the tunnel's entrance. Lightning streaked the sky as thunder rolled in the distance. The rain continued to pour down, and the pains continued to come. Dawn rode them all out. After the last pain had come and gone, she quietly said, "Lucky?"

"Yeah?" he asked. He had taken off his long-sleeved denim shirt and he was now using it to wipe at the beads of sweat that gathered on her brow. "What, Dawn?"

"Promise me that you'll watch over the baby for me."

"What are you talking about?" he asked, tensing up.