Free Attainment (The Temptation Series) by K.M. Golland

breaths. “Carls,
what’s happening?” she answers flippantly through puffs of air.
    I smile and shake my head while setting the chopper down and
shutting off the engine.
    “No, I’m not fucking Bryce,” she explains while pausing for
a minute and dropping her head back in amused exasperation. “I’m not lying,”
she pants. “I’m breathing heavily because I’m in labour, you silly cow. Argh,
God! They are getting stronger,” she groans, and for the first time shoots me a
nervous look.
    “Hang up,” I say calmly.
    Alexis nods in agreement. “Carls, gotta go. I’ll talk to you
later,” she says breathlessly, as she disconnects the call.
    I exit the cockpit, and on my way round to help her out of
the chopper, I quickly type Lucy a text:
     
    Baby on the way. At hospital - Bryce
     
    A reply comes through as a nurse pushes a wheelchair in our
direction:
     
    OMG! I will be there as soon as I can - Lucy
     
    Sliding one arm behind Alexis’ back and the other under her
knees, I lift her into my arms and gently place her into the waiting
wheelchair. “Oh, for the love of fffrying pans,” she groans.
    “That’s a new one,” the nurse smiles, before introducing
herself. “We get fire trucks a lot.” I’m surprised Alexis just doesn’t
swear. It’s never stopped her before.
    “I don’t want the f-bomb to be the first word my baby hears
coming out of mouth,” Alexis hisses, breathing out through her teeth as her
contraction eases.
    The nurse nods. “That’s fair enough, Dear,” she says then
proceeds to push Alexis toward the birthing suite.
    Not even minutes later, Alexis starts cursing again. “Shit!
Shit! Shit!” she groans with puffed cheeks. “Why? Why am I doing this again? And
how did I forget how bloody painful this is?” she glares at me.
    Not really knowing how to answer that question—and against
my better judgement—I attempt it anyway, “Because it’s worth it, Hunny,” I say
softly, trying to reassure her while patting her hair away from her face.
    “Don’t pat me like a dog,” she snarls as she swipes my hand
away.
    Another note to self: don’t pat her.
    I go to put my hand back in my pocket when she grabs it.
“Sorry...I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bite your head off. It’s just...oh, God! It
hurts,” she cries out as she clenches my hand in a death grip. Jesus fucking
Christ, that’s hard. When did she get super human strength?
    We enter the birthing suite and she lets go of my hand, relief
together with blood flow returning to my semi-crushed fingers.
    “Alexis, Dear, my name is Kate, I’m a midwife. Dr. Rainer is
on her way and will be here shortly, okay? Let’s get you up onto this bed and
check how baby is doing,” Kate says with a smile.
    I help Alexis out of the wheelchair and up onto the bed,
assisting her by fluffing up pillows and basically just fucking fluffing about.
Obviously, I’m way out of my comfort zone and don’t know what the hell I’m doing.
    Kate sets up an IV and attaches some straps and cords to
Alexis’ stomach. “Now, your hospital chart says you had an emergency C-section
with your last delivery. Baby was in breech, right?”
    “Yes, yes she was. Charlotte liked to dance around even
before entering this world. Seven years later and she hasn’t changed,” Alexis
answers lovingly, almost calm and serene.
    I gently wipe a bead of sweat that has formed on her brow
and take note that even in distress and obviously a shit load of pain, she is
still absolutely gorgeous.
    Then, just like a gust of wind, her calm demeanour is swept
away and a harsh, boiling disposition replaces it. “I want an epidural God Damn
it,” Alexis growls through deep breaths while closing her eyes. “Please!”
    Placing my hand on her forehead, I drag it back through her
hair in the hope to calm her down. Fuck, she’s beautiful. Her eyes open
with lightning speed, and she fires a death glare in my direction. Fuck,
she’s scary. Quickly, I panic and lean in