Chapter 62: Chapter 62

"Oh my god! Oh my god!"

"Amanda, calm the hell down," I breathe out, watching as she paces up and down in front of me.

"Calm down?" She responds, whipping around. Her eyes are wide with panic and she clutches her head dramatically.

"You're having a baby! Oh my god."

"Amanda, get Jake," I tell her firmly, my words blunt. She stops pacing and turns to look at me, nodding profusely. Her dark hair whips around her and I inhale deeply, remembering to breathe. The pain disappears and re-appears every few minutes, shooting down my stomach and legs.

"Breathe! That's what they say right? And we need hot towels and water." Amanda panics whilst waiting for Jake to answer. I glance down at my watch -

The ambulance will be here in under ten minutes.

Will my baby last that long?

"Oh god, please be okay." I whisper, clutching my stomach tightly. A sharp pain immediately shoots through my stomach and I let out a yelp, squeezing my eyes shut tightly.

"Come on Jake, answer!" Amanda says frustratedly, her grip on my phone tightening. She inhales and exhales deeply, her hand moving dramatically in front of her.

"Amanda, I'm the one that's pregnant." I remind her, shaking my head at her reaction. I wince as another sharp bolt of pain tears up my stomach.

"Please baby, stay inside me a little longer," I whisper, feeling tears slide down my cheeks. I lean back against the wall, closing my eyes shut tightly.

I can't help but feel a longing for my Mum, my old Mum. The mother who'd put her arms around me now and carefully guide my through this labour. The mother that would hold my hand, letting me know I'm going to be okay.

"Jake! Oh my god, its you." Amanda yells into the phone, raising her hands into the air. She holds out her thumb at me, signalling that Jake has finally answered his phone.

"Oh, praise Jesus and all that is good." I whisper in relief, knowing Jake would be on his way. My shoulders slump backwards, my body weak. Whatever he's doing at this moment, I know he'd drop it to be by my side.

I can't do this alone, I need him.

"Jake, listen to me. Emily is in labour." Amanda explains, speaking quickly but clearly. She suddenly gasps, her mouth hanging open. She walks to my side, handing me my phone back.

"What did he say?" I whimper, clutching my stomach tightly.

"He said he's on his way and that he loves you. And then he hung up on me..." Amanda mutters, clearly unhappy at Jake's actions. I smile despite the pain I'm feeling and give Amanda an apologetic look.

"Sorry Amanda, that's Jake for you."

"Oh, its fine. I'll give him a mouthful when I next see him," she mutters, taking hold of my hand. I give her a small smile, squeezing her hand tightly.

"I'm going to be okay, right?" I ask her, my eyes wide with vulnerability. Fear fills my body and I glance down at my bulging stomach, at my baby.

"I'm going to be okay, right?" I repeat a little more desperately this time. My voice is shaky, tears filling my eyes. Amanda immediately drapes her arms around me, comforting me.

"I'm right here with you Emily," she whispers. I nod gratefully, the fear inside of me increasing further as I realise . . . She didn't answer my question.

*****

Jake's POV-

I finally place the final screw in, turning it until it's secure. The smile on my face grows as I position it up, standing back to admire my hard work. I examine the room, crossing my arms over my chest.

"This is perfect." I grin, feeling excitement bubble inside of me. The nursery is finally complete. After weeks of hard work and sneaking off whenever I had a spare minute, it's now done. I couldn't wait to show Emily.

My phone rings in my back pocket and I pull it out, glancing at the screen. A picture of Emily and I flashes up on the screen, causing me to smile. It was taken a few weeks ago, I'm stood beside her with my arm draped around her shoulders. My head is turned and I'm kissing her cheek. Emily is grinning widely, her hand clutching her bump as she smiles for the camera.

It's my favourite picture of us.

I can't wait to hold my baby in my arms and take a family photo, just the three of us.

"Hello?" I answer, leaving the nursery and locking it behind me.

"Jake, its Amanda."

I immediately frown, the hold of my phone tightening. Amanda?

"Amanda? What are you doing with Emily's phone?" I ask, a bad feeling settling inside my stomach. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up pin straight as I wait for her response. She's breathing heavily down the phone, a level of urgency in her voice.

"Jake, listen to me. Emily is in labour."

My heart immediately stops beating for a second. I freeze on the spot, goosebumps erupting over my body.

"No." I whisper, shaking my head. How can that be?

I feel my mind completely cloud over, losing my ability to think straight. Without thinking, I jump down the stairs two at a time, my heart thumping wildly against my chest.

"Tell her I love her, I'm on my way." I yell, ending the call and grabbing my car keys off the side. I reach for my leather jacket, pulling it over quickly. I pull open my car door, sliding in and slamming it shut quickly. My hand reaches for my phone and I scroll through my contacts, landing on Tobias. The phone rings a few times before he answers —

"Tobias, where are you?" I ask him, starting the car up and reversing out of the driveway one handed. I take the moment to glance at the back seat, making sure Emily's hospital bag is still there.

"Out running some business, why?"

"Emily is in labour." I explain, speeding down the roads as fast as I can. The engine of my car revs as I sped up, weaving in and out of traffic. I'm headed straight for college, determined to reach her as soon as I possibly can.

The thought of her scared, alone and in pain causes my hand to tighten on the steering wheels. The strain turns my knuckles white but I don't care.

"Holy shit. How? It's too early," Tobias blabbers, asking multiple questions at once. I shake my head, trying desperately to stay focused on the roads.

"I don't know Tobias! I need you to get to the hospital as soon as you can."

My voice is urgent, desperate.

"Do you want me to pick up Trish on the way? Ivory is staying at Ben's so I can give her a call."

"Yeah."

I nod my head, agreeing with his words. Emily specifically asked for everyone to be there at the hospital once she was in labour. I nod grimly, respecting her wishes.

She wants everyone to say goodbye in case she doesn't make it...

I end the call and let out a frustrated yell, my hands slamming down on the steering wheel. Fear quickly replaces the frustration, filling my body and mind. I don't know the correct emotion to feel . . .

Excited for our baby?

Fear for Emily?

Will I be leaving the hospital with only one?

Or will I be leaving with no-one at all?