Expecting it All (Punishment Pit #7) - Livia Grant Page 0,15

I'm not ready for this. I'm supposed to have more time."

Leave it to his best friend to chuckle at a time like this. "Yeah, well, I don't think it works like that."

Derek could hear Tiffany's excited questions in the background and Lukus filling her in.

An awkward reticence hung on the call before Lukus proved he really did know what he was going through. "Listen, you need to hold it together. Everything is going to be fine. Women have babies every day. You're in the right place. Do you like her doctor?"

"I guess," Derek said.

"Then trust him."

"Would you trust strangers with Tiffany's health?" Derek knew Lukus's feelings for his fiancée were as strong as Derek's were for his wife.

"I would. You and I... we both suffer from the same problem. We're used to being in control. Losing control sucks, but you don't have a choice today. We know jack-shit about medicine, so you've done the next best thing. You have her in a safe place with people who know what they're doing."

"I suppose so."

"Don't worry about The Pit. Don't worry about Titan. Don't worry about anything but Rachel and the kid. I'll take care of everything else. Do you need anything?"

"Not that I can think of right now, but Lukus... thanks, man. I was losing it."

His best friend's laughter helped calm him. "Well, I remember a time not too long ago when I was the one who was 'losing my shit' as you called it. You talked me off the ledge that day. Glad I could repay the favor. Keep in touch. We'll want updates."

"Yeah, well, they tell me it could take a long time, since it's her first."

"I wouldn't trade places with you today to save my life," Lukus admitted.

"Gee, thanks. Later."

Derek's next call was to his friend James. The men didn’t know each other that well considering it had been James and Lukus that had been college roommates, but Derek had gotten to know the doctor over the years through the occasional poker night and crossing paths at The Pit. He was the only person Derek knew that had the trifecta of knowledge he needed at this critical moment. James was a medical doctor, a father, and a Dom to his submissive wife.

"Hey, I can't really talk. Can I call you later?" James was talking softly, as if he had to keep his voice down.

"Rachel is in labor," Derek said.

He heard a shuffling at the other end of the phone before James was back on the line. "Congratulations. You're gonna be a real daddy soon."

"Knock it off. I need you to tell me the truth. Rachel is going to be okay, right? And the kid... it's two weeks early. Is he in danger?"

"Women do this every day. They're both going to be fine." James's voice sounded condescending.

"I know that, dumbass. I don't care about other women. I care about Rachel, and I'm responsible for that baby."

"Deep breath. She'll be fine. He'll be fine. You need to stay calm," James said.

"What if I can't do this?"

"You can do this, and you will. There's no other choice. The baby needs to come out. And anyway, fatherhood is amazing."

James should know. He was the father of twin, six-year-old sons.

"But she's going to be in so much pain," Derek said.

"She'll forget it as soon as she holds her baby."

"Tell me about this epidural thingy. Is it safe?"

"Perfectly. I'm no OBGYN, but Mary had an epidural."

Derek took a calming breath. "Fine. I guess I can handle it as long as it's a regular birth, but I'll never be able to handle a C-section if she needs one."

"Listen, I hate to tell you this, buddy, but you're going to handle whatever the hell you have to. I know you're used to being in control, but you need to just go along for the ride on this one. Hand over control to the doctors and nurses, be there to support Rach, and do whatever the hell they tell you to do. Let the professionals do their job."

That sounded like good advice. The same advice Lukus had given.

"Yeah. You're right. Thanks, man."

"Check in when you can. Mary and I will be thinking of you two."

By the time Derek got back to Rachel's room, they had her changed into a hospital gown and sitting up in bed. She was hooked up to a fetal monitor they had just learned about in class that day.

"Hi, baby." He was impressed that his voice was calm. Calmer than he felt, anyway.

"Hi