Cole and I walked back to the lodge in silence. Another contraction began and the gripping pain in my stomach halted me. Stopping to catch my breath, I closed my eyes and tried to force the feeling away. The baby wasn"t supposed to come, yet. I wasn’t ready for my child to be born.
“Mar, you can"t tell me that you"re fine. Talk to me.” Cole wrapped his arm around my waist to support me.
“I think it"s time,” I said. Tears filled my eyes, threatening to spill over.
“Time?” Cole asked, turning ghost white. “The baby really is coming?”
As another cramp struck me, I nodded. “I think, soon.”
It felt like a giant had wrapped his hands around my waist and wouldn"t stop squeezing. I called the calming presence of Air and warm tendrils encircled me. After several painful seconds, the pressure l
