Chapter 22

Shepherd

"We've got your baby shower all planned out," Anya says as I make my way back to the brewery.

"Oh yeah?" I ask, rubbing the back of my neck. Part of me wanted to be here when Felicity and the girls discussed the baby shower, but I honestly think the only reason I really wanted to be present was because of Felicity.

I miss her when she's not around. Does that make me a pussy?

I don't even care at this point. I really fucking miss her, and I know she wants no part of a relationship with me, but I can't help how I feel about her.

Every day the feeling intensifies. And the more sex we have, the more I find myself caring about her. About the baby she's carrying.

About everything.

"Am I allowed to be there?" I ask, not really sure about the etiquette of baby showers.

Anya smiles wide. "Of course. Also, can you please explain to me why you two are not a couple yet?"

I shrug, scrubbing a hand down my face. "She doesn't want it."

"Really?" Anya asks, parking a hand on her hip. "Because she says the same thing about you. That you don't want it."

I think about what Anya's telling me, wondering if there's just some big miscommunication thing happening between Felicity and me. "What do I do?" I ask my younger sister.

She smiles wide. "You tell her how you feel, silly."

"You make it sound so easy."

"That's because it is. She obviously has feelings for you. So, there's got to be something standing in her way."

I nod. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I have to check on the floor," I say, leaving Anya's office to check on the main restaurant, otherwise known as the floor.

I head to the front host stand, looking at how many reservations we have for the upcoming evening, and make sure everyone's shown up to work.

Before I've even had time to assess anything, Callum walks up to me.

"Everything's looking good."

I nod. "Yeah, not much on the books tonight. Should be a nice and easy night."

Callum smiles. "Are you going to kick off early? Maybe go spend time with Felicity?"

I think about what Anya said. About having a serious talk with Felicity about my feelings. "I might…" my words are cut off by the ping of an incoming message on my phone. I pull it out of my pocket and glance at the message from Felicity.

Felicity: I'm at the hospital. Something felt off, and I had some cramps.

On my way.

"I gotta go. Felicity's in the ER, something's up with the baby."

Callum's eyes widen, the urgency in his words are frantic. "Go. Keep us updated," he says in a rush.

I don't give the brewery another thought as I rush through the place like it's on fire, my heart pounding in my chest. I head out back, making my way to my truck in the lot. I hightail it out of the parking lot, heading toward Magnolia Ridge General, my mind a complete mess of worry and fear for Felicity and the baby.

My nerves are shot as I race through the streets, my hands shaking with every turn. I nearly sideswipe a parked car, and I realize I should have let somebody else drive me today.

The hospital looms ahead, its white walls blurring together in my panicked state. I practically skid to a stop in the emergency drop-off zone, not bothering to find a proper parking spot. I sprint into the building, barely registering the surprised looks of the people I pass by.

The antiseptic smell hits me as I approach the front desk, trying to catch my breath. "Felicity Lark," I manage to choke out, my voice hoarse with worry. The receptionist types something into her computer before looking up at me with a sympathetic expression.

"Room 217, down the hall to your left," she says softly, as if aware of the turmoil coursing through me.

I nod quickly and take off down the sterile hallway, my heart thudding in my ears. Room 217 comes into view and I push the door open with more force than necessary, revealing Felicity lying on the hospital bed, her face contorted in pain. The sound

of monitors beeping fills the room, blending with the distant sound of muffled voices. My eyes immediately seek hers, finding their familiar brown depths filled with exhaustion and fear. But when they land on mine, a flicker of relief dances across her features.

"Shepherd," she breathes out, a weak smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm so glad you're here."

I rush to her side, taking her hand in mine and squeezing it gently. "What's happening? Is the baby okay?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I try to mask the dread creeping up in my chest.

Felicity inhales shakily, her grip on my hand tightening. "The doctors are still running tests," she replies, her voice strained with pain.

"What do they think it is?"

"Braxton Hicks, maybe."

I try to remember all the words I've read in The Expectant Father, but I'm coming up empty. "Braxton Hicks?"

Felicity nods, her eyes searching mine. "False labor."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, relief flooding through me at the explanation. "Okay, okay. That's... that's good, right?" I stumble over my words, still grappling with the fear that had gripped me only moments ago.

Felicity nods, her smile growing slightly more genuine as she squeezes my hand again. But there's a shadow lingering in her eyes, one that tells me there's more to the story than she's letting on.

I swallow hard, trying to push down the rising panic threatening to consume me. "I'm here, Felicity. I'll stay with you no matter what," I promise, my voice unwavering despite the turmoil swirling inside me like a storm.

Felicity's gaze softens, gratitude shining through the pain etched on her features. "Thank you, Shepherd," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. And in that moment, as we sit hand in hand in a sterile hospital room I know we will face whatever lay ahead together.

I study her, moving closer to her. "What are we doing?" I ask her.

She stares up at me, confusion clear on her face. "What do you mean?"

"You and me? What are we doing?"

"Um, having a baby."

I smile with a tiny laugh. "Felicity, I'm crazy about you. I don't want this friends-with-benefits thing. I don't want us to raise the baby separately. I want a real chance at this. I want to be a real couple."

Her eyes fill with unshed tears.

Tears spill down Felicity's cheeks, her grip on my hand tightening even more. "Shepherd, I... I never thought you'd want that," she admits, her voice thick with emotion. "I've... I've been scared to hope for more."

I reach out to gently wipe away her tears, my heart aching at the vulnerability in her eyes. "I want this, Felicity. I want us," I declare, my voice unwavering and sure. "I want to be there for you and our baby, every step of the way."

A mix of emotions flits across her face - joy, disbelief, and a glimmer of hope shining through the tears. "I want that too, Shepherd," she whispers, her voice barely above a breath. "I want us to be a real family, but I'm afraid you'll leave again."

My brows dip as I stare at her, confused. "What? I haven't left."

"Yes, you did. After the Christmas party. After we had sex. You left without so much as a word. No phone call, nothing for months," she says, tears filling her beautiful eyes.

"Felicity," I start, sighing as I grab the back of my neck. "I'm not going anywhere. I was an idiot to leave without telling you first. I thought after we were together that night, that we'd be together. I've never had a serious relationship before, and I guess now you can kind of see why."

She laughs a little.

I keep going, "I honestly thought I'd be gone maybe a few days, and I'd come home and ask you out, but their brewery was in worse shape than I ever could have imagined, and days turned into weeks. I kept thinking, I'll ask her out when I get home. And when I came back I thought you and that asshole…" my words fall away, and Felicity squeezes my hand.

"When I found out I was pregnant, I was scared. I didn't know what to do, and Karl found me when I was most vulnerable. He won't come around ever again. Why would he?"

I laugh at that. "I want us to be a real couple."

Felicity's eyes shimmer with renewed hope as she looks up at me, her hand tightening around mine. "I want that too, Shepherd," she whispers, a small smile playing on her lips. "I want us to be a real family."

I feel a weight lift off my chest, a sense of relief flooding through me at her words. I lean in closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before meeting her gaze with unwavering determination. "We'll figure it out together. We'll take it one step at a time," I promise, sincerity lacing every word.

Felicity nods, her brown eyes locking onto mine with a newfound strength. "One step at a time," she echoes, a sense of resolve settling over her features.

The doctor walks in, a smile on her face.

"Dr. Kass," I say with worry in my eyes. "I didn't think they'd call you down here."

"I just happened to be here and saw you on the patient list. How is everything?" she asks Felicity.

"I had some horrible cramps," Felicity says, and my worry grows.

"We've run some tests and everything looks good. I think what you're experiencing is Braxton Hicks. It's very normal." Dr. Kass feels Felicity's belly. "Let's have a listen to the baby." She squirts a bit of jelly onto her belly and runs the Doppler over her skin.

The strong sound of the baby's heartbeat fills the room and I breathe in a sigh of relief.

We all listen in, transfixed by the rhythmic thumping that echoes through the small hospital room. Felicity's eyes glisten with tears of pure joy, a radiant smile blooming on her face. I can't help but match her infectious grin, feeling a surge of overwhelming love and protectiveness wash over me. The fear and uncertainty that had gripped us moments before now seem like a distant memory, replaced by a sense of hope and newfound determination.

Dr. Kass pulls back, a reassuring smile on her face. "Everything sounds great," she confirms, her voice ringing with warmth and encouragement. "Felicity, it seems like your body is just preparing for the big day. Keep an eye on those contractions and make sure to rest as much as you can."

Felicity nods eagerly, her gaze never leaving the doctor's face. "Thank you, Dr. Kass," she says gratefully, her voice filled with relief.

"We could give you a quick ultrasound to see the sex of the baby if you want," Dr. Kass says with a wink.

"Really?" Felicity asks.

"You've been through a lot. Let's get some pictures of the baby. The tech will be in shortly."

"Thank you, so much," I say, excited to see my son or daughter soon.