this goes,” Melanie said, sounding really fucking hopeful and making him chuckle as he leaned down and kissed her.
“Please?” Melanie said, watching as Kenzie yanked her arm free and-
“Stop walking away from me!” Roger snapped, which was followed by Kenzie giving him a one-finger salute as she headed towards her truck and-
“Goddamn it, Kenzie, I love you!”
“Seriously. I’m good. Just put me down anywhere,” Melanie said, absently gesturing towards the lawn as every Bradford within shouting distance watched Roger’s every move.
“You can’t keep walking away from this, Kenzie!”
“Watch me!”
“You’re my wife, goddamn it!” came the shouted announcement that had Aidan sucking in a breath as he watched his sister go still and-
“I am begging you, Aidan. Just put me down so that I can…oh, god,” Melanie mumbled on a pained gasp that was followed by, “Her water just broke,” from his father, who moved ahead of them so that he could open the car door for them.
“No,” Aidan said, glancing over at Reese as Roger’s words sank in and when they did, he headed towards his one-time best friend as every Bradford followed suit.
“Someone tape this!” Melanie said as Aidan carefully shifted her in his arms so that he could place her in the car. “Or take notes! Really good notes!”
Chapter 37
“She’s fully dilated,” the nurse by Melanie’s legs informed Roger as he leaned down so that a nurse could place a band-aid over his eyebrow that was probably going to need stitches as another nurse finished helping him with his gloves.
“How are you holding up, Melanie?” Roger asked as Aidan stood there, torn between killing the bastard who’d fucked his sister over and begging him to do something to make this better for Melanie.
There was a pained gasp, and then, “I’d really like some more drugs.”
“I don’t think he can wait any longer,” Roger said, shooting her a sympathetic smile as he took his place in front of Melanie as the nurses double-checked to make sure that her feet were locked in place in the stirrups as a team of nurses prepared for the arrival of their son.
“That’s what I thought,” Melanie bit out, gasping as another contraction tore through her as her hand tightened around his.
“What did Kenzie say?” she asked Roger, making Aidan’s lips twitch despite the fact that he was scared out of his fucking mind right now.
“You mean before or after I was welcomed into the family?” Roger asked dryly.
“Both,” Melanie said, nodding.
Chuckling, Roger shook his head, “She still won’t talk to me.”
“Can’t really blame her,” Melanie said, laying her head back as she squeezed her eyes shut.
“No, I can’t,” Roger murmured absently.
“Did you explain Missy?” she asked, making Aidan frown.
“She doesn’t care,” Roger said, gesturing for the pediatric team to get ready.
“You couldn’t let Reese marry her,” Melanie mumbled only to wince, tighten her hand around his, and gasp in pain.
“No, I couldn’t,” Roger murmured in agreement as Aidan reached over and wiped away another tear as it rolled down Melanie’s beautiful face.
“I-I’d really like this to be over now,” she mumbled around a choked sob.
“It’s almost done, baby. I promise,” Aidan promised her as he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. “In a few more minutes, we’ll be holding our baby boy.”
“Can I have more drugs? Because I’d really like some more drugs,” Melanie said, gasping in pain.
“I think it’s too late for that,” Aidan said, brushing his lips against hers one last time before he found himself saying, “You’re so beautiful.”
“Oh, my god…am I dying?” she asked, panicking and making him chuckle.
“No, you’re not dying,” he assured her with another kiss.
“Then why would you tell me that at a time like this?” Melanie demanded, throwing the sheet covering her bent legs a terrified look that had him sighing because he should have fucking known that she would make this difficult.
“Did I ever tell you that you’re a brat,” Aidan asked, chuckling.
“Did I ever tell you that I actually kind of hate you,” Melanie asked, blinking up at him.
“Is that because of the whole crippling pain thing?” he murmured thoughtfully.
“It might have something to do with that,” she admitted, making him smile.
“And if you weren’t currently experiencing the joys of childbirth?” Aidan asked, watching Roger out of the corner of his eye, hoping to distract her from the pain until it was time.
“I’d probably still hate you.”
“Is that because I wouldn’t let you stay and see what happened next?” he asked, watching as Roger sent him a nod, letting him know