CHAPTER SEVEN

Mateo insisted on driving Juliette to the clinic, arguing she’d be safer in his four-wheel-drive lifted truck. She was glad he’d insisted as rain and wind buffeted the vehicle, and Mateo steered around debris in the road.

At the clinic he parked next to the ambulance bay. He reached behind the seat and brought out an SFD hat he placed on her head. With a poncho draped over both of them, they ran for cover under the overhang.

Entering the clinic through the sliding doors, they stood on the mat dripping. Anayah spotted them. “Thank the good lord you’re here, girlfriend. We’ve got two in labor.”

Juliette found a towel. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

She offered the towel and Mateo dried his face and draped the poncho over himself. She took the hat from her head and placed it on his. They stood with gazes locked on each other.

“I’ve got to go.”

“Me too.”

Neither of them moved.

“Be careful, Mateo.”

“I will.” He kissed her hard and fast and was out the door, chased by a gust of wind.

Juliette stopped at the nurse’s station in the ER. Tupu, wearing a bracelet made of traditional Samoan red beads, handed her a granola bar.

“What’s this for?”

“For you, my redheaded friend, who will need the nourishment. Labor and Delivery has now admitted the third member of the Triad.”

“All three are in labor?”

“Indeed. We’re light in the ER because the fine people of Sisters are heeding the storm warnings and staying home.”

“Don’t say that in front of Anayah. She’s superstitious like that. I’ll put my things in my locker, and I’ll be ready in a minute.”

Backpack stashed, she donned her lab coat and crossed to L&D. Anayah bustled out of a room and spotted Juliette.

“I’m assigned to L&D with you, at least for now. Doctor Tran is on her way. Doc Hanson is ill, but available for phone consults. We can call physicians from other departments if we need them, but none has performed a c-section.”

“Then we’ll hope Doctor Tran is here if we need one. Let’s get started.”

L&D had three rooms and the Triad occupied them all.

Juliette stepped into Room One where Delaney had a death grip on Walker’s hand as she rode through a contraction. Juliette washed her hands and donned gloves. “Hey, Delaney. You and your sisters all coordinated on a delivery date, I see.”

“Yeah, since we found out we were sisters, we do everything together.” Delaney breathed deep as the contraction eased.

“When did contractions start?”

“Around ten p.m.,” Walker responded. Even wearing hospital scrubs, he still had the bad boy vibe. Delaney sat up and he rubbed her shoulders. “They started to get regular around four. That’s when we came in.”

Juliette checked the whiteboard on the wall that showed dilation at five centimeters an hour before. She studied the monitor. “Your contractions are strong and the last one lasted a good fifty seconds. Let’s take a peek and check the cervix.”

Minutes later she removed her gloves. “You’re moving along at seven centimeters so you’re entering the transition phase. The epidural will help you get through the contractions.”

Delaney lay back. “All good. Let’s get going. I want to meet this little girl.”

“How are you holding up, Walker?” Juliette asked. “You look a little pale.”

“I never knew what women went through.” He stared at his wife. “You’re incredible, Laney.”

“Back at you, babe.”

“Keep up the good work,” Juliette said, “I’m heading to door number two to check on my next patient.”

She entered the next room to find the bed empty and Sawyer pacing. It never failed to touch her to see the toughest men, including the cop in front of her, struggling to hold themselves together and be strong for their wives during labor. She checked Cam’s chart.

Sawyer stopped pacing and jammed his fingers through his hair. “Cam’s using the bathroom. She says she wants to go for a walk. A freaking walk when she’s having a baby. That doesn’t sound safe.”

Cam returned to the room and took her husband’s hand.

“I understand your concern, but walking is good, Sawyer.” Juliette was matter-of-fact. “It can help shorten labor and make contractions stronger. You two are still in early labor so you likely have hours yet. Taking walks will help pass the time. Cam’s chosen not to get an epidural so she can move around safely for a while yet.”

Sawyer gave her an assessing look like he was deciding whether to believe her, then nodded. “Okay.”

“How are my sisters?” Cam asked.

“Delaney’s progressing to transition. Walker looks more stressed than she does. Emery is my next stop.”

Cam grinned. “I can’t believe we’re having our babies on the same day.” She tugged Sawyer to the door. “Let’s take that walk, big guy. We can stop and check on the others.”

Juliette entered the next room to hear Emery laughing. Shane was looking over her shoulder at a tablet propped on her knees for a video call. Emery caught sight of Juliette and addressed the screen. “My friend and PA Juliette is here so I need to go, guys.”

“Mom says she wants to say hi to the PA. Call back when you’ve got our niece.”

Shane spoke to Juliette. “Em’s family is checking in. Those two are her twin brothers.”

Emery waved Juliette over as a middle-aged woman’s face filled the screen. “Mom, this is Juliette. Juliette, this is my mom, Delilah.”

“Hello, sweetie. I know my daughter wants an epidural, but I’m wondering if you’ve explained to her the benefits of natural childbirth.”

“Nice to meet you, Delilah, and I’m glad we have a minute to chat.” Juliette set about reassuring the worried mom. “Emery and I have spoken extensively about her options, and the choice is hers. Rest assured that an epidural doesn’t make the birth any less natural.”

Emery helped end the conversation and handed Shane the tablet. “Sorry to put you on the spot like that. Mom had strong opinions.”

“I’m glad I could talk with her, and hopefully help her feel more comfortable with your choices.”

“If it wasn’t for the storm, I think my mom, stepdad, and brothers would all be here. I love them to death, but they can be a lot. Now,” she smiled, “when can I get that epidural?”

“Let’s see how you’re doing first.” Since a nurse had broken Emery’s water, contractions had increased in frequency. Checking her, Juliette found her cervix dilated to three. “Let’s wait on the epidural because that can sometimes slow labor. You’re still in early labor and have a ways to go yet.”

Juliette, who felt relief the sisters were doing well with no complications, went to the nurse’s station where Shawna sat munching on cashews.

Anayah came through the double doors, followed by Owen and Keeley carrying large, insulated bags.

“Tell me that’s food.” Juliette’s stomach rumbled. She and Mateo had downed quick bowls of cereal and she was keeping the granola bar from Tupu for an emergency. The day was going to be a long one, and could possibly extend into the night.

“It’s lunch,” Keeley announced. “Easy Money is closed today because of the storm. When we heard today was B-Day we thought we’d do our part to support the team. There are sandwiches for staff and the dads-to-be. We left half the spread in the ER break room.”

The doors swung open again, Juliette’s heart giving a hard thump when Mateo walked in. He headed right to her and cupped her shoulders while giving her a narrow-eyed assessment. “How’s the head?”

“Good. I have a slight headache, but took some ibuprofen.”

He stroked her cheek. “You take a break when you need it. I’m serious, Jules.”

A whoop sounded from the hall and Cam waddled toward them, Sawyer telling her to slow down.

“Are you two officially together?” she asked.

Mateo’s gaze snagged Juliette’s as warmth flooded her cheeks. “Are we?” he asked quietly.

“I’d like to be.”

“Me too.” He pulled her into a hug while someone whistled. “You make me happy,” he whispered. Loosening his hold, he spoke louder. “That’s the good news.”

Juliette’s stomach dropped. “What’s the bad news?”

“The highway into town is washed out. Two lanes have collapsed. The two that remain are unstable and have been closed.”

“Shit. We’re cut off.” Sawyer frowned.

“Pretty much. The highway going east is open, but conditions are rough,” Mateo informed them. “Repairs can’t start until the storm has passed. It could be weeks before it reopens.”

Keeley looked at Owen. “We won’t get our food delivery.”

“We’ll be fine for a couple days with a modified menu.” Owen tilted his head, his gaze speculative. “What do you say we take a vacation?”

“A vacation?”

“Yeah, princess, a vacation. You’re on school break for a couple weeks. Food delivery is going to be expensive if it’s coming over the mountains. Closing the bar isn’t a bad idea. We can fly out of Reno. You and I can find an island in the Caribbean and sit in the sun.”

“You better not be teasing me, Owen Hardesty, because I’m so in.”

Owen grinned and turned to the group. “We’ll set up the food and check in with the Triad. Then the princess and I have a vacation to plan.”

Keeley beamed. “Enjoy the food and call us when we have babies.”

“I am so, so jealous,” Juliette muttered as Owen and Keeley disappeared into the break room with their bags.

“You and me both, girlfriend,” Anayah agreed.

Mateo ate with them before rejoining his squad. Staff had received the news that Doctor Tran had been on the highway traveling up the mountain to Sisters before being turned back by the highway closure. The clinic would continue to be without an obstetrician with three women in labor.

Luckily, the day progressed with the normal rhythm of labor and delivery. At mid-afternoon, Delaney gave a mighty push and dark-haired Harper Jane was born.

Shawna quickly dried the squalling infant before placing her on her mother’s chest with a blanket draped over both. Standing behind Delaney, Walker reached over her shoulder and gently stroked his daughter’s head.

“She’s beautiful,” he whispered.

“Do you want to cut the umbilical cord, Dad?”

Walker looked startled, then grinned. “I’m a dad now.” He kissed Delaney, then said, “Yeah, I’ll cut it.”

Two hours later, Juliette sat on her swivel chair in front of the patient while Shane coached Emery through another contraction. They were coming stronger and faster. Anayah had been called to the ER, but another nurse had been brought into L&D. Shawna prepped the bassinet for the newborn.

Emery rested between contractions. “How are my sisters?”

“Delaney and little Harper are perfect. Cam’s labor is slow, but she’s holding strong.”

“They went with Harper? Oh, that’s sweet.” Her face contorted. “Another contraction is coming. I can do this.”

“I want a good strong push, Emery.”

Emery pushed through that one, then the ones following.

“You’re doing great,” Juliette murmured. “She’s crowning.”

“Is that her head? Is that our baby’s head?” Shane looked dazed.

“That’s her. Rest a second, Mama, until the next contraction.”

When the contraction came, Emery pushed and her little girl was born.

“My god, darlin’, you did it. That’s our girl.”

Juliette suctioned the baby’s nose and mouth, gave her a vigorous rub when drying her, and was rewarded by a strong cry. With her daughter skin to skin, Emery cuddled her close. “Hello, Violet, welcome to the world. Say hi to your daddy.”

Love simply glowed from the exhausted and relieved parents.

Once the placenta was delivered intact, Juliette left Shawna attending to mother and daughter, and took a minute to sit.

Two healthy babies, two sets of parents ready for their next stage in life.

She chewed on her granola bar as she sat tilted back in the chair, and closed her eyes. She smiled when strong fingers rubbed her temples. “Mm, that feels good.”

“You didn’t even see me. How do you know I’m not some random dude?”

“Because it’s you.” She opened her eyes to see her hotshot firefighter leaning over her from behind.

“I heard you’re the boss delivering babies like there’s nothing to it.”

“The Triad is doing awesome. You want to meet a couple of adorable baby girls?”

“Hell yeah, I do, but in a few.” He shifted to kneading the back of her neck. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

“No bullshitting, Jules. This is me.”

“Okay. I have a headache. I’m dead tired. But mostly, I’m fine. Better now under your magic fingers.”

“You should be home. I’ll take you. You’ve had a concussion and need to rest.”

“No, Mateo. I’ll go home after Cam delivers.”

It struck her that they were both referring to Mateo’s house as home. Clearing her throat, she said, “Tell me how it is out there. Is it still raining?”

“Yeah, it’s still raining. We’ve got flooded intersections and trees down. With the exception of the twenty-two-year-old I brought in who’d decided to take out his kayak in Mill Creek, which is ripping by the way, people have mostly stayed home and out of trouble. I think the new app the chief rolled out has worked well to communicate with citizens.”

“What happened to the kayaker?”

“He got himself wedged between debris and support columns on a bridge. Davey and I rappelled down to get him. He’s getting x-rayed for a crushed hand.”

“You do dangerous work.” She rose to her feet and turned to him. Tugging his head down, she kissed him. He pulled her flush against his body and took the kiss deeper.

“You two lovebirds need to break it up.” Shawna’s voice had them jolting apart. “Sister number three is getting close.”

Mateo kissed her forehead. “I talked to my captain. He’s calling in the rookie as a replacement for me. As soon as Cam delivers, I’m taking you home.”

“But you’re needed out there.”

“You also need someone to take care of you. That’s me. Marco wants the experience, and I’m on call if anything serious goes down. I’ve got a couple hours, then I’ll be back.” With another kiss, he was gone.

Two hours later, Cam was still pushing and nearing exhaustion. Sawyer was steady and supportive, but Juliette could see the tension in the lines of his face.

Anayah rubbed her lower back. “I think the baby is sunny side up.”

“I think you’re right.”

“What’s sunny side up?” Sawyer demanded.

“It means the baby is facing the mother’s front instead of her back which is the optimal position for delivery.”

“Do you want to try to rotate him?”

Juliette considered Anayah’s suggestion. “Let’s give her a couple more pushes and see how he does.” She checked the monitor. “Another one’s coming. You ready for this, Cam?”

“I can do it.”

Sawyer dropped his head to his wife’s, eyes closed. Then he straightened and gripped her hand, murmuring words of encouragement as she pushed.

“Good job, Cam. That was productive. Let’s try again.”

The next contraction came hard and fast. Cam bore down through that one, then the next.

“Baby’s crowning. You can do this, Cam.”

Then there he was, sunny side up. He immediately began crying.

Repeating the process for the third time that day, Juliette quickly dried the baby and placed him across his mother’s chest. His father wrapped an arm around his wife and cupped his son’s tiny body with his hand.

“What’s his name?”

Voice rough with emotion, Sawyer replied, “James Theodore.”

Running a finger over the baby boy’s downy head, Cam murmured, “James is for Sawyer’s grandfather, Theodore for his uncle.”

“Aw, that’s nice. Congratulations to you both.”

***

Later, when Mateo came to walk her out, Juliette laid a hand on his arm. “Wait.”

Three tall men stood together in the hall, each holding a swaddled infant in his arms, holiday lights twinkling above their heads.

She took out her phone and snapped a picture. The image spoke of love, friendship, and family, the perfect embodiment of the holiday spirit.