Chapter 276 - Baby Im Coming (1/2)
”Wait! You can't run all the way to the hospital with her! You don't even know where it is!” Jos shouted as she chased Arei down the stairs. ”Besides, it's her first baby. She'll be in labor for several hours, there's not too big of a rush!” Shelly let out a howl as she was jostled down the stairs in the massive man's arms. Jos grabbed her phone and began searching for the first name that came to mind. She listened to the ring of the phone as she waited for Poseidon to pick up on the other end.
[Sorry, I was in the shower. What can I do for you, dear?]
”Shelly's water just broke and we don't have a vehicle. I was hoping you could send your taxi driver friend-” She was cut off.
[Anyone in the driveway?]
Jos ran around to the windows of the front of the house. ”No, Arei's probably halfway to town by now ON FOOT!” Her eyes widened in shock as a sleek black SUV materialized out of thin air. ”Did... did you send this?”
[The vehicle? Yes, dear. We'll meet you there... Um... what hospital will you be going to?]
Jos quickly pulled open the door and ran down the stairs toward the waiting SUV. Her breath released in a relieved huff when she saw keys hanging from the ignition. ”I guess the one closest to werewolf territory.”
[Alright, drive carefully, dear. We'll meet you there.]
The line no sooner went dead, as Jos quickly punched in Arei's number. It rang and rang. ”Come on, pick up!!!” She cried out as she shifted it into gear and hit the accelerator. When his voicemail picked up she quickly hit redial. ”Come on!!” The call was finally answered. ”Where are you! Your dad sent a car, I can pick you up.”
[Dad sent one?! Drive straight toward town I'll wait for you!] With that, he hung up.
She fumbled with her phone as she hit Raven's number. ”Hey, Shelly went into labor! We're on our way to the hospital right now... well Arei's crazy ȧss is running her to the hospital while I'm stuck trying to catch up!”
[Hahaha... Never boring with you guys. Alright, send me the name of the hospital, and I'll get Isha to teleport me over.]
”Alright, as soon as I know which we will be going to, I'll send you the information!” Jos said as she slammed on the breaks bringing the car to a dead stop. She hit the unlock buŧŧon and watched as Arei gently set Shelly into the back seat then quickly rounded the vehicle.
”Scoot over, I'll drive, you search for an address.” Arei said as he pulled open the driver's door.
Jos nodded and quickly slid across the center console. She Typed rapidly with the thumb of one hand as she tugged on the seatbelt with the other. ”Here!” She called out as she shoved the phone into Arei's range of sight.
To Jos's surprise, Poseidon was already standing outside the emergency entrance with a team of nurses by his side.
”Easy does it.” Poseidon instructed as the nurses worked to lift Shelly onto a gurney. The second the wolf was stretched out, Poseidon began stroking her fur as he walked beside the gurney.
Arei took Jos's hand as they quickly followed behind. The small room the gurney was pulled into was already full of people. ”We'll have to ask everyone to wait in the waiting area until we can get her settled in. Then you are more than welcome to return until its go time.” The nurse said.
Jos didn't release Arei's hand as she pushed forward toward Shelly. She grabbed her paw. ”We'll be right outside alright. As soon as they allow it, I'll be right back in!” She waited for the wolf to nod before finally turning and leaving the room.
Russ bent and kissed his sister's head lightly. ”We're all here for ya, sis.” He hadn't even made it out the door of the room when his eyes landed on Jos and Arei. They seemed so in sync with each other, with every move. Her body language played off his perfectly in a way Russ had never known was possible. He let out a heavy sigh as he turned away for them and the small crowd gathered around.
Ry leaned against the wall of the waiting room. He couldn't help the smile that spread across his lips. I can't help but notice a particularly large, shinny rock sitting on a very important finger... Like to share?” He nodded toward the hand resting on his brother's back as they filled Peg and Andy in on what was happening. He could see Jos's cheeks and even her ears redden as the room went quiet and all eyes turned to the couple.
Jos quickly retracted her hand from around Arei as her worried gaze shot up to his brilliant, gleaming eyes. A wide smile spread across his lips exposing the whites of his perfect teeth. ”It's up to you, however much or little you want to tell them.”
Jos swallowed hard as she looked around the room at the expectant faces before moving back to him. ”I mean we haven't even really discussed it yet...”
He wrapped his arms around her and placed an affectionate kiss on her head. ”Then that's all they need to know.” He searched her eyes. ”If you'd like I'll tell them all to mind their own business. It's fully your choice.”
Jos swallowed audibly as she glanced toward the small, waiting crowd. ”I'd at least hoped to tell everyone at once...” She whispered.
”You realize we are all supernatural creatures capable of hearing every single thing the two of you are whispering about... right?” Ry chuckled as he pushed away from the wall. He walked over and clasped Arei and Jos both on the shoulders. ”Whatever you've decided or haven't decided, I'm glad to see that thing back with its owner where it belongs.”
Poseidon walked over and patted Jos and Arei's backs. ”Welcome back to the family, dear. We've been expecting you.” He added with a wink.
Peg and Andy squeezed each other in tight hugs as they nodded in agreement, silent tears burning Andy's eyes.
”Wait... What am I missing... OH Shit!” Raven said as she glanced around the group, her eyes finally falling on the ring she hadn't seen Jos wear since the day she gave it to Cam. ”How in the hell did you get that thing back?!”
Jos sent Arei another nervous glance. When he simply nodded, she turned in his arms wrapping her other arm around his waist. She held the ringed hand up so everyone could see. Tears blurred her vision as she spoke. ”Cam had given it back to Arei fifty-odd years ago, and I happened across it in the office earlier...” Her gaze moved back up to Arei. ”We didn't get to talk too much about... things before Shelly's water broke... but...”
Arei's smile widened even more. ”That ring won't be leaving that finger any time soon.” He pulled her into his arms a kissed her lips affectionately as everyone else in the room either gawked or stared in warm joy.
Raven shook her head. ”Damn... I leave for a few days and miss all the excitement... Russ becomes friends with the enemy's kids, Shelly goes into labor, you two not only get back together but get fuċkɨnġ engaged... What else have I missed?!”
Everyone's attention snapped around to the sound of a bottle hitting the floor. Russ shook the shock from his expression as he bent to retrieve the bottle of soda, he'd gotten from the vending machine. He forced a stoic expression as he glared at the rest of the over-joyed group. ”Excuse me if I don't share in the rest of your joyous celebrations.” He was just about to turn from the room when the nurse walked over.
”She's settled in now if you'd like to rejoin her. She's only dilated to a seven right now, so it will still be some time. Once she reaches ten, we'll ask that only five of you remain in the room.” The nurse stepped to the side and held her hand out toward the room inviting everyone inside.
Several gasps sounded as everyone filed into the room one by one. ”It shall always be a pleasant surprise to see your beautiful face, my child.” Poseidon said, not wasting any time to push through the group and take his place at Shelly's side. He ran a hand over her hair before trailing her jawline. ”You are a stunning beauty, you know that?” He lowered and placed a kiss on the top of her head.