Free The Greek Billionaire's Secret Baby (Contemporary Romance) by Michele Dunaway

back, unwilling to make that decision.
    Another pain overtook Lauren and she cried out. Her fingers dug deeper into Alex’s arm. Beside her, Alex tensed. “Theo, we’re not going to worry about finisheing the ceremony right now,” he said.
    “You know what this means,” Theo argued. “You do understand the consequences and what the family will think…”
    “I know,” Alex gritted out through clenched teeth, effectively ending Theo’s argument. “I will deal with it later, Theo. Later,” he repeated. “Right now you would serve me best by phoning my mother and telling her that her first grandchild is on his way.”
    Theo’s olive skin darkened. “Alex.”
    Even Lauren recognized the finality in Alex’s tone when he said, “My mother, Theo.”
    “As you wish,” Theo said.
    As Theo left the room, Alex shifted so that he supported more of Lauren’s weight. The fact that her lower half was damp was irrelevant and he gathered her into his arms.
    “How are you holding up, glikia mou ? You are going to be just fine. You’re strong, Lauren. Strong. You can do this.”
    “I—” Lauren paused as paramedics arrived and rolled a stretcher into the judge’s chamber. After asking her a fast flurry of questions, the paramedics had her lie on the stretcher. Soon they had her hooked to several mobile monitors and had inserted an IV into her hand just below her left wrist. The vital symptom readings that they called out to each other meant nothing to Lauren.
    Another pain stabbed through her and she shrieked.
    “Intensifying and two minutes apart.” The female paramedic smiled and Lauren heard a click. The stretcher gave a shudder as it began to move.
    “Away we go,” the paramedic said. “Now don’t you worry. I’ve delivered quite a few babies, so I could do yours, but I think we’ll get you to the hospital in plenty of time for a doctor to do it. Why don’t you just close your eyes and rest?”
    “Rest,” Lauren repeated. The pain was so unbearable.
    “That’s right. Close your eyes. Breath into your contractions. They always intensify after a woman’s water breaks. No, don’t open your eyes. I’m nothing that you need to see. All we’re doing right now is just lifting you into the ambulance. No need to see that.”
    In the darkness Lauren heard a different voice say, “Blood pressure still elevated, but steady.”
    “See, already you’re doing much better,” the female paramedic told Lauren. “Now think happy thoughts my dear. In just a short while you’re going to have a beautiful baby and…”
    Lauren tuned her out as a firm hand gripped hers. Heat fused their flesh, joining their fingers together. Alex. “I’m here, agapi mou ,” he said.
    Her words came out a mere whisper. “Please don’t leave me.”
    “I won’t.”
    There was a jolt, and the trip to the hospital began.
    Lauren thought she must have dozed through parts of the journey, for the next thing she knew she was in a room with too many bright lights.
    Had they given her something in her IV to cut the pain and make her woozy? The pang shooting through her body didn’t feel as sharp. And why wasn’t she pushing? Wasn’t she supposed to be pushing or something?
    “Is she going to be all right?” Alex’s voice again. Lauren tried to open her eyes, but found she couldn’t focus.
    “She and the baby are going to be just fine. But the baby is premature and in breech position. We’re also worried that the baby may have RDS.”
    Lauren heard Alex’s sharp inhale. “What does that mean?”
    “Respiratory distress syndrome. Once out, the baby could have difficulty breathing because his lungs aren’t fully developed. RDS can also happen if fluid gets into his lungs. In short, there are complications and the potential for more, Mr. Pappas. We’re not going to take any chances. We’re prepping her for a Cesarean section right now.”
    A c-section. I don’t want a c-section, Lauren tried, but she found she couldn’t get