Beyond The Leather

Chapter 171: River Sixx

It started as a cramp low in my belly, nothing too unusual at first. I was eight and a half months along, so I'd been dealing with little aches and twinges for weeks. I gave my mom a call sometime last week for her to come to L.A. with my sisters when I started feeling the cramps. However, nothing happened. Until this time... this one was different. Sharper, like a slow wave that pulled all the air from my lungs. I froze on the edge of the bed, one hand bracing against the nightstand, the other pressing to my stomach.

"Babe?" Nikki's voice came from the bathroom. He stepped out with a towel draped over his shoulders, his damp hair dripping down his chest. He caught the look on my face immediately. "What is it? What's wrong?"

I breathed out slowly, trying to shake it off. "I think... I think it might be starting."

Nikki dropped the towel instantly, his entire body going rigid. "Starting? Like... starting starting? Oh my God. Okay. Okay, okay, okay." He rushed over to me, crouching at my side like he expected the baby to appear right then and there.

Another cramp built, heavier this time, making me close my eyes and grit my teeth. Nikki grabbed my hand and rubbed his thumb across my knuckles.

"Mani, just breathe. Remember what we practiced."

"I am breathing," I snapped, my voice harsher than I meant it. Then, the contraction passed, leaving me sweating and shaking. I rested my head against his shoulder, already exhausted. "Get my Mom. And call the doctor."

Nikki nodded, his eyes wide with panic but his tone steady. "Terri!" Nikki yelled. "Oh yeah, I need to call the doctor. And I'll get the bags! We're ready. You're ready." He kissed the top of my head before bolting to grab the phone.

Within twenty minutes, the whole house was buzzing with energy.

The doctor told us to come in right away, so Nikki bundled me into the car while my family followed behind with Julius. He kept one hand on the wheel and the other gripping mine the entire ride, whispering reassurances every time I winced from another contraction.

By the time we reached the hospital, I was drenched in sweat and gripping Nikki's arm so tightly that he probably had bruises. Nurses wheeled me inside, and before I knew it, I was in a delivery room with monitors beeping, an IV in my arm, and Nikki pacing the floor like a restless lion.

My mom's face was full of calm reassurance as she walked straight into the room like she'd done this a million times before. My sisters weren't far behind, arms loaded with snacks, water bottles, Julius, and way too many encouraging words.

"Big day, huh?" Selena grinned.

"Don't remind me," I muttered, squeezing Nikki's hand as another contraction hit.

My mom stood on the other side of me, brushing my hair out of my face, while my sisters hovered near the doorway, whispering nervously but smiling every time I looked at them. I loved the way they kept Julius distracted from seeing me in pain. The last thing I wanted was for him to cry for me.

The contractions grew closer together, ripping through me in waves. I tried to focus on my breathing, but the pain was raw and relentless. I wanted to scream, cry, curse, and laugh all at once.

Nikki was right there with me for every moment. Holding my hand, rubbing my back, kissing my forehead when I broke into sobs.

"You're doing so good, Mani. You're the strongest woman I know. I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere."

At one point, when a contraction had me bent in half, I growled through clenched teeth,l. "You did this to me."

Nikki chuckled, his eyes shining with love even as he winced at my grip on his hand. "Yeah, I know. And I'd do it again."