Chapter 98: Chapter 98

Rosa smiles. It looks fake to me, but at least she’s smiling, I guess? Thank God Alfred is too young to have his hair criticized. She holds her arms out for Alfred, who is sleeping again after all of the excitement, and I pass him over. Then a genuine smiles comes out. Now she looks like a real human.

“Ciara, I saw all of the headlines and they’re utter garbage. You shouldn’t pay them any attention, and anyone who does is a sheep.” She looks at me seriously, and I know she’s not being fake. I’m surprised at her support, since she initially thought I wanted Evans for his money. Maybe our relationship will become stronger after this, and we won’t fight so much.

“Hey,” a voice calls. “Is Murphy back yet?”

Rosa walks to the bottom of the stairs. “No Grace, he’s not back yet.”

Grace’s here? This is good news. I feel better knowing there’s someone else in the house who is on my side. I follow Rosa to the bottom of the stairs and start to go up. It will be nice to say hello to Rosa and ask her how her pregnancy is going. Before I’ve ever cleared the first step, Rosa grabs my hand and pulls me back.

“By the way, Ciara—”

Oh great.

Rosa keeps talking, a concerned expression on her face. “I wanted to ask why you chose such basic flowers for the wedding? White lilies? Is that seriously what you want? I told you how important it is that this wedding is spectacular. We can’t cut corners on the details like that.”

Really? That’s what she’s asking me about right now? After I’ve had such a stressful afternoon? I swallow hard. I don’t want to get into a fight over flowers, but I also don’t want Rosa to dictate what I can and cannot have at my own wedding.

“You know I love lilies,” I start to say, but then I see Grace at the top of the stairs and stop. Her skirt has a dark water stain and she looks like she’s about to cry. Suddenly she moans and presses her hand to her bulging belly.

“Is Murphy here? I really need Murphy. My water broke and we have to go to the hospital now!” A tear rolls down her cheek as she struggles to stay upright.

Before I can think about it I’m heading up the stairs toward her. I offer her my arm. “Here, I’ll help you down the stairs.” We move down Rosa’s grand staircase slowly. There are so many steps and Grace can’t move that fast. “How long have you been having contractions?” I ask.

“I don’t remember,” Grace pants. Her breathing is really heavy and labored. “I wasn’t really paying attention.” I glance down at my watch while Grace grimaces in pain. Then she gasps.

“Was that a contraction?” I ask.

“I think so,” she gasps again. “Another?” I ask. Looking at my watch I realize that was only two minutes between each contraction.

“We’ve got to get her to the hospital,” Rosa says.

“I can drive,” Henrik offers, turning to look for car keys.

“There’s no time,” I say hurriedly, looking at my watch again. “Even if we leave this second, we’d never make it in time. The baby is coming--now!”

.