Updated Mar 22, 2026 • ~2 min read
Chapter 28: Early Labor
MAREN
Week thirty-nine.
One week until due date.
I wake up at 2 AM.
Wet.
“Jasper. JASPER.”
He wakes instantly.
“What’s wrong?”
“My water broke.”
He’s out of bed immediately.
Fully alert.
“Okay. Okay. Hospital bag?”
“By the door.”
“Car keys?”
“Counter.”
“You?”
“Having a baby apparently.”
***
The drive to the hospital is surreal.
Contractions every eight minutes.
Manageable.
For now.
“How are you feeling?”
“Terrified. Excited. In pain.”
“You’ve got this.”
“Easy for you to say.”
He takes my hand.
“You’re the strongest person I know. You’re going to be amazing.”
I hope he’s right.
***
Hospital admission.
Labor and delivery ward.
Room 412.
Dr. Elliot arrives.
“Let’s check your progress.”
Four centimeters dilated.
“You’re doing great. This could take a while. Get comfortable.”
Comfortable.
In labor.
Sure.
***
Hour three.
Contractions every five minutes.
More intense.
Jasper calls everyone.
Conrad. Valeria. Imogen. Emmett. Sienna.
“Baby’s coming. Maren’s doing great.”
I’m NOT doing great.
I’m in agony.
But I appreciate the optimism.
***
Hour six.
Seven centimeters.
“Almost there,” Dr. Elliot encourages.
I want drugs.
All the drugs.
“Epidural. Please.”
“Coming right up.”
Blessed relief.
***
Hour eight.
Ten centimeters.
“Time to push.”
No.
Not ready.
But Isla doesn’t care.
She’s coming.
Jasper holds my hand.
“You’ve got this. I’m right here.”
I push.
Once. Twice. Ten times.
Pain. Pressure. Exhaustion.
Then:
Crying.
Loud. Angry. Beautiful.
“It’s a girl!”
They place her on my chest.
Tiny. Perfect. OURS.
Isla Ross-King.
Seven pounds. Three ounces.
Dark hair. Blue-gray eyes like her father.
Perfect.
I’m crying.
Jasper’s crying.
“Hi, baby girl. We’re your parents. We love you so much.”
She looks at us.
Like she knows.
***
Outside in the waiting room:
Conrad. Valeria. Imogen. Emmett. Sienna.
Drake. Patrick.
Both families.
Together.
Waiting.
Jasper walks out.
Grinning.
“It’s a girl. Isla Ross-King. Everyone’s healthy.”
Cheers.
Tears.
Hugs.
Ross and King.
Celebrating together.
For Isla.
The baby who ended a forty-year feud.
END OF CHAPTER 28
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