Free A Different Christmas (University Park #5) by CM Doporto Page A

shoving it in her purse.
    “Yes, just needed a little brother support.” We gave each other a tight squeeze and then he got up from the couch.
    “Ready?”
    “Not really,” Delaney gave me puppy dog eyes, “but we need to get back.”
    “Thanks again for coming.” I gave her a hug. “And for helping me get everything ready for D-day,” I said, using my nickname for delivery day .
    “Of course. That’s what friends are for.” She squeezed me. “Tell me what the doctor says. If she schedules you for a C-section, tell me when. I’ll be on the next flight.”
    “You don’t have to come back.” I stepped out of her embrace. “I know you have to work.”
    “Whatever.” She waved off my comment. “I’ll be here.”
    “We’re coming back.” Luke gave me one more hug. “We won’t let you be alone when you have the babies.”
    “I appreciate your support. Really, I do.” I blinked the tears away. Damn hormones. “I’m so glad you came for Thanksgiving. I really needed to see you guys.”
    “Thanks for having us.” Luke grabbed their luggage. “The food was awesome, better than Mom’s. But don’t tell her I said that.”
    “Don’t worry, I won’t.” Laughing, I wiped under my eyes. “I love you, guys.”
    “Aw…” Delaney hugged me again. “And we love you, too.”
    That’s all it took for the tears to release at full speed. Would these emotions ever get in-check? “If you do come, don’t forget your camera. I want you to take pictures of the babies.”
    “Of course.” She pulled my hair to the side. “But I’m still peeved you wouldn’t let me take some pictures this weekend.”
    I twisted my face. “I’m grossly huge, Laney.” I ran my hands over my beach-ball belly. “Besides, you took some great shots of me the weekend of my baby shower.”
    “Did Raven like them?”
    “He sure did.”
    “My favorite is the one with him on his knees, kissing your stomach.”
    “That’s mine, too,” I said with a sniffle.
    “Don’t mean to break-up your girly reminiscing, but we’ve gotta go.” Luke pointed to his watch.
    “Yep, it’s time to get you guys to the airport.” I gave Delaney one more hug.
    “Y’all stay put for a few more weeks, okay?” She rubbed my belly. “Can’t wait to meet you! Aunt Delaney is going to spoil you rotten,” she said in a singsong voice.
    I dried my eyes one more time, wishing my friend lived closer. If there were ever a time I needed her, it was now. “We better go before I start crying again.” I grabbed my purse and keys. “Otherwise, you’ll never make your flight.”
     
    ***
     
     
    Raven
     
    I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was a few minutes after nine a.m. and I had just finished working out on my day off. With the pressure compounding, from home and on the field, I got up early and did what I needed to do. I headed to the locker room to shower and take Lexi to her ten a.m. doctor’s appointment. Having missed the last one, I didn’t want to be late.
    “Hey, Raven.” Coach Rush stopped me as I passed his office.
    “Yes, sir?” I skidded to a stop.
    “Randy and I were discussing some different strategies after catching something on last night’s game between Carolina and Minnesota. Do you have a minute?”
    “Of course.” I stepped into his office, knowing I didn’t have a minute to spare. But what was I going to do? Turn down my coaches? It wasn’t every day they asked me to discuss strategy for next week’s game. I wiped the sweat from my face and took a seat next to the offensive coordinator.
    “Look at what this guy’s doing.” Coach Rush pointed to a large TV located behind me. He pushed the rewind button. I positioned my chair to see the screen while still being able to hold a conversation with them. I immediately recognized the video I’d been studying.
    “You know I’ve been watching this same footage, studying Carolina’s past few games. That linebacker consistently struggles with man-to-man