Earlier in the afternoon, I’d felt like I was Cinderella in a fantasy land. Outfitted in a glittering red maternity gown that AJ proclaimed to be sexy as hell, I’d sat in the third row of the Staples Center surrounded by A-list musicians. We’d started off flying high when Abby and the boys of Jacob’s Ladder had won the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group. Then later I shed tears of elation and pride when Jake and Abby won Song of the Year, especially knowing how it had been written about Jake’s late mother. When it came time to announce the Best Pop Duo/Group performance, I held AJ’s hand as he nervously tapped his leg. He’d been on edge all afternoon, but he could barely contain himself in his seat now.

When they had announced Runaway Train as the winner, I thought he would keel over with a heart attack from the excitement. Watching him take the stage with the guys had me grinning until my cheeks hurt and clapping until my palms were red and stinging. Brayden had been shoved in front of the mic to do the thank yous, and he did an amazing job. In the end, the guys racked up Best Pop Album as well.

Once the ceremony had ended, we’d been shuffled back into the limo we’d arrived in to start making our way to the after parties. I became immediately star struck at the label party when I saw who all was milling around. Even as the fiancée of a famous musician, it was still hard to believe this was now my life. Bella got in to the festivities as well as the later it got, the more she kicked the crap out of me.

After dancing for hours, we’d just left the Chateau Marmont hotel for a smaller party when AJ eyed me in the limo. “Do you think you need to go back to the hotel?”

“No why?”

“You look a little tired.”

Cocking my head at him, I asked, “Is that a nice way of saying I look like shit?”

He laughed. “Is that the pregnancy hormones talking?”

“No, it isn’t. Besides, Bella is having fun. She’s kicking up a storm.”

AJ’s hand came to rest on my enormous belly. “Man, she’s really going at it, huh?”

I grinned. “Yeah, she is.”

“Well, if you’re sure.”

I leaned over to kiss him. “I wouldn’t miss one minute of this amazing night with you.”

AJ brought his hands up to stroke my face. “I love you, Mia.”

“I love you more.”

Once we got inside the hotel, AJ and the others got drinks while I made my way to the hors d'oeuvres. Bella usually went on a kicking frenzy when she was hungry, so I was trying to appease her. Not only were ribs hurting from her exertions, but my back was as well.

I’d just finished my plate when AJ held out his hand. “Wanna dance again?” Even though I would have preferred sitting at the table and staying off my ballooning feet, I smiled at him and slid my hand into his. Halfway through the second song, I knew I’d made a mistake. The dull ache that had been building throughout my lower back and into my abdomen grew more intense.

With a gasp, I pulled away from AJ. “I think I need to sit this one out,” I shouted over the thumping bass of the music and roaring of the crowd.

AJ’s dark brows knitted together as he brought his hand to my abdomen. “Are you all right?”

Forcing a smile to my lips, I bobbed my head. “I just need to sit down and get some air.” When he started to lead me off the dance floor, I pressed a palm against his chest. “No, this is your night. I can make it to a table just fine.” He opened his mouth to protest, but I pressed my lips to his to silence him. “I’m fine.” I motioned toward the crowd of people who were waiting to talk to him. “Go, have fun.”

“Okay. Love you.”

As I weaved in and out the throng of people, I thought I would never make it outside to the veranda. People milled around, mainly smoking, but it wasn’t nearly as crowded as inside. My heels clicked down the tile as I tried to get away from the clouds of smoke. I sighed with relief when I found an empty chair tucked into an alcove. But after I got off my feet and took in a few deep breaths, pain still radiated through my lower back and abdomen.

“Mia?”

I glanced up to see Brayden standing before me. When he realized it really was me, he quickly extinguished the cigarette he’d been smoking. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.”

“What are you doing out here by yourself?”

“I just needed some air.”

He dug a pack of gum out of his pockets and offered me a piece. When I declined, he popped three pieces in his mouth. He gave me a sheepish grin. “Would you do me a huge favor and not tell Lily I was out here smoking? You know, considering I allegedly quit three months ago.”

I laughed. “I’ll make you a deal. I won’t tell Lily about the smoking if you won’t tell AJ that he was right, and I really shouldn’t have tagged along to all the parties tonight. The ceremony was enough.”

Brayden crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head suspiciously at me. “What do you mean?”

I sighed. “I’m tired, that’s all.”

“Mia,” he implored.

“Fine. I’m having some…pains.”

Brayden knelt at my side—his expression clouded with worry. “What kind of pains?”

“It’s nothing. Seriously. It’s just my back and feet.” When he pursed his lips at me, I caved. “I started cramping out on the dance floor. But I’m sure I just overdid it tonight, and I need some rest. If I sit here a little longer and put my feet up, I’ll be fine.”

“I’m going to get AJ,” Brayden said, popping up from the ground.

I grabbed his sleeve and jerked him back. “No, please don’t do that.”

“Mia, as a husband, trust me when I say that when your wife is pregnant and in pain, you want to know it. To AJ, you’re more than his fiancée—you’re already his wife”

“But this is the most amazing night of AJ’s life—one he has worked so hard for. He’s been on cloud nine all day, and I want him to savor each and every moment. I can’t bear to ruin one second of it by causing him unnecessary worry as the nagging fiancée.”

“He needs to know, and I’m going to tell him.”

“Not if I get to him first!” I countered. When I shot out of my seat, all hell broke loose below my waist. A twisting, wrenching pain ricocheted through me, and I moaned.

“Mia?” Just as Brayden stepped over to me, my water broke with such a force that it splashed down my legs and onto the top of Brayden’s shoes before spreading on the floor.

As Brayden and I gazed down at the puddle we stood in, my hand flew to cover my mouth. “Oh God, I can’t believe that just happened. All that ‘what to expect’ crap doesn’t quite prepare you for Splash Mountain.” When I dared to look up at Brayden, I shook my head. “I’m so, so sorry about your shoes.”

He laughed. “Mia, honey, I could give two shits about my shoes right now. I’m a little more concerned about the fact you’re in labor.”

“Oh damn,” I muttered.

“We need to get you to the hospital.”

Tears stung my eyes. “Now I’m really going to ruin AJ’s night.”

As I sniffled, Brayden’s hand came to cup my cheek. “Mia, I promise you when it comes down to it, awards and parties won’t mean shit when he holds Isabella in his arms for the first time. Nothing will ever compare to that moment when he sees the life he helped create.”

My lip trembled at his sweet words. “Thank you.”

He smiled. “You’re welcome. Now why don’t you just sit back down here while I go find AJ, and then we’ll get you to the limo.”

“Yeah, that should be—” My voice choked off as pain ripped through my abdomen like a steam locomotive charging through it. I doubled over and cried out. Around me, I could hear Brayden talking furiously to someone, but I couldn’t make out his words through the agonizing pain. It seemed to go on forever before it finally let up.

“Mia!” AJ cried.

I glanced up to see him tearing down the veranda—his face ashen with worry. When he got to me, he wrapped me in his arms. “Amorcito mio, it’s okay. I’m here now.”

Before I could stop myself, tears stung my eyes. “Oh AJ, I’m so sorry about going into labor tonight.”

His eyes widened. “Don’t you dare say that! You and Bella are my world.”

Another pain rippled through me, and I cried out. “Come on. We gotta get you to the limo.” AJ wrapped one arm around my waist while the other he used to push us through the crowd. Brayden started ahead of us, shoving people out of the way to clear a path. By the time we got outside, Jake, Abby, Lily, and Rhys were pacing beside the limo.

“Oh my God, Mia,” Abby cried, rushing up to me.

“I’m okay…I’m just in labor.”

“And we’re going to get you to the hospital ASAP,” Lily replied.

“No, no, you guys need to stay and have fun,” I protested.

Jake grinned and shook his head. “I think there’s a new party to go to—‘Miss Bella’s Introduction to the World Party’.”

I laughed. “Yeah, it’s going to be a rocking one for sure.”

“All right, enough talking. You need to get inside the limo. Now,” AJ commanded.

“Eesh, so bossy,” I muttered before I dipped inside. AJ threw his tux jacket across the seat. Just as I sat down, another pain gripped me. AJ immediately appeared at my side and grabbed hold of my hand.

When I finally came out of my pain haze, I saw that Abby and Jake had ducked inside as well. “That was intense,” I croaked.

“I’m so sorry,” AJ murmured, kissing my cheek.

I was adjusting myself on the seat when the limo driver appeared at the door.

“Why aren’t we moving?” Jake asked.

His face paled. “We seem to be having engine problems.”

“Excuse me?” I demanded through gritted teeth.

“It won’t start.”

“You gotta be fucking kidding me!” AJ exclaimed.

Jake shook his head. “Maybe we can borrow someone else’s car or limo?”

The limo driver shook his head. “I just called the paramedics on dispatch. They were right around the corner, and they should be here any minute.”

“Shit,” I muttered as another terrible contraction ricocheted through me. Looking back, I realized all the pains I’d had yesterday and today weren’t just the usual pregnancy pains or Braxton Hicks. Even though I was a Cardiac nurse, how the hell could I not have realized the signs that I was in labor?

I gripped AJ’s hand tight as I rode the agonizing wave of pain. When it finally subsided, I relaxed. But it was at that moment that I felt something had shifted below my waist. “Um, this is probably totally in my imagination, but it feels like she’s coming out already.”

Abby peered down at her phone. “Your contractions are coming faster and faster together. Do you want me to…” She glanced between AJ and Jake before looking back at me. “You know, check on things…down there?”

“Yeah, it probably wouldn’t hurt. I mean, between the two of us, we probably have just enough nursing training to be dangerous when it comes to labor and delivery.”

When Abby reached to ease up my dress, Jake threw up his hands defensively. “Wait, I’m sorry, but I have to get the hell out of here,” he said, before ducking out of door. I caught a glimpse of Rhys pacing outside with Brayden and Lily before Jake closed the door.

Abby gently reached under my dress to remove my soaked panties. She tossed them to the side, and then pushed the hemline up. “Oh my God!” she screeched.

“What?” AJ and I demanded in unison.

“You were right. Bella’s head…it’s like…right there.”

“Oh, shit, I’ve already crowned?”

“Whoa, what the hell is crowning?” AJ questioned.

“Didn’t you read any of the baby books I gave you?”

A sheepish look entered his face. “I skimmed some of them. Those birthing pictures were way intense.”

“Well for your information, crowning means it’s time to push.”

He shook his head wildly back and forth. “But you can’t push yet. The paramedics aren’t here. Can’t you just hold it in?”

The death glare that both Abby and I shot him caused him to shrink back into the seat. He held up his hands defensively. “Sorry, that was a really stupid question.” He swallowed hard. “Okay, then what do we do?”

I opened my mouth but was interrupted by the wail of an ambulance’s siren. At AJ’s horror stricken face, I squeezed his hand. “It’s okay now. The EMT’s will know what to do.”

Just as they knocked on the window, another pain seized me—this time it felt like a giant’s hands were squeezing my abdomen. I couldn’t help but pinch my eyes shut and push, regardless of whether the paramedics were there or not. Voices echoed around me, but all I could do was focus on the contractions as they came harder and faster.