Free Falling for Sarah by Cate Beauman

what Celebrity would fork over to secure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Hailey might be able to get back to school full-time.
    “Done. Be ready in an hour, and she can have anything she wants.”
    “I’d be happy to help you out, Lisa.” Sarah hung up and turned to Kylee, sitting on the couch, feeding Mr. Ruff with a bottle. “Guess what?”
    “What?”
    “We’re going on an airplane, and I’m pretty sure I’ve not only paid for your entire college education, but your wedding too with this job.”
    “Ooh, a wedding like Unke Hunte. Auntie Morgan is so bootiful.”
    “Yes, she is. I need to call Hailey, and we have to pack. Go get Mr. Ruff’s bag ready, okay?”
    “O-tay.” Kylee scrambled down from the couch with her stuffed dog in hand.

    With a super excited Hailey on her way over and Kylee happily packing most of her toy box into a large pink and purple bag, Sarah hurried about, grabbing her camera equipment. When she was sure she had everything she needed, she hustled down to Kylee’s room to pack a suitcase, then her own.
    She brought the heavy bags to the entryway in the living room, stopping cold as she zeroed in on one of the numerous photographs decorating her living room wall. Jake, Hunter, and Ethan stood together with beer bottles in hand, grinning at a backyard BBQ so long ago.
    She looked three frames over, stared at her own grinning face nestled against Ethan’s. She held sonogram pictures up for the camera as Ethan stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her enormous belly, pointing at the mound with one hand. They’d sent the picture to Jake, along with pictures of the fetus, when they knew for sure she was carrying a girl.
    Ethan had gone with her that day when her mother had called, too ill to make it. He’d held her hand. When the technician told her she was having a girl, he’d grinned and kissed her forehead.
    Ethan had been there all along, every step of the way. She thought back to the night she’d waddled out to the couch where Ethan slept during the last month of her pregnancy.
    “Ethan, Ethan, wake up. I think my water broke.”
    He shot up from the cushions, sleepy eyed. “What?”
    “My water broke.” A contraction squeezed her insides in a vise grip, causing her to gasp. “Oh, God, it’s definitely time.”
    He stood, wrapped his arms around her as she rested her forehead against his naked shoulder. “It’s okay, Sarah. Slow breaths in and out, just like we practiced in class,” he said as he ran his hands up and down the back of her t-shirt.
    She clutched his biceps, fighting to stay calm against the vulnerability such pain brought with it. “We have to call my parents and the hospital. We have to call Jake’s commander so they can get the video cameras ready over there. I don’t want him to miss this.”
    “Shh,” he whispered against her ear as he continued to rub her back. “I’m going to take care of everything.”
    As the pain ceased, she stood again, sniffling.
    He took her chin, stared into her eyes. “I want you to think about taking care of yourself and the baby. I’ll handle the rest. I’ll be here every step of the way, just like I promised you and Jake.”
    His confidence reassured her and she smiled. “I know.”
    Her smile vanished as the deep ache spread through her womb again, hardening her stomach. “Another one already.”
    Ethan checked his watch, pulled Sarah close again. She pressed her head to his warm chest. His heart slammed against his ribs despite his soothing words as they worked through the next contraction.
    Kylee dropped her bag at Sarah’s feet with an enormous thud, jarring her from her memories.
    “I ready, Mama.”
    Sarah struggled to focus on the present. “I see. Where’s Mr. Ruff?”
    Kylee covered her mouth as she gasped. “He’s on my bid dirl bed.”
    “Go get him. We need to leave.”
    Kylee ran down the hall as Sarah glanced at the pictures once more and turned away. She needed to get out of here.