Chapter 328: Chapter 330: The Birth Chaos
They burst through the exit doors. Richard stood beside a black SUV, driver’s door open, looking completely unsurprised by the chaos.
"Grandfather...."
"Get in the car, Damien." Richard’s voice was steady. Calm. "Marcus will drive. I’ll handle the Foundation guests."
Damien wanted to argue. Couldn’t find the words. Got in the back seat as Marcus wheeled Aria to the car door.
She stood. Climbed in herself. Damien tried to help. She swatted his hand away.
"I’m pregnant, not broken."
Marcus slid into the driver’s seat. Alexander appeared at the passenger door.
"I’m coming," he said. Not a question.
Marcus nodded. Alexander got in.
Mei tried to climb into the back. "Baby, I...."
"Mom, there’s no room...." Aria started.
"I’m riding in the front seat, Mei," Alexander said quietly. "You get in back."
The door barely closed before Marcus pulled away from the curb.
Damien’s hand found Aria’s. "Are you...."
"I’m fine."
"You just.....your water broke on stage in front of two hundred people...."
"I’m aware." Her voice was dry. She pulled out her phone, started tapping. "Contractions are about seven minutes apart. We have time."
"How are you so calm?"
"I’m a doctor, Damien. I know exactly what’s happening." She looked at him. "You, however, look like you’re about to pass out."
"I’m not..."
"You’re pale."
"I’m fine."
"You’re gripping my hand so hard you’re cutting off circulation."
He loosened his grip. Slightly.
Marcus took a corner faster than Damien had ever seen him drive. "ETA four minutes, Boss."
Alexander was on his phone in the front seat. "Yes, Dr. Martinez. We’re three minutes out. Water broke approximately six minutes ago. Contractions seven minutes apart....Aria, still seven?"
"Six now," Aria said calmly.
Damien’s head snapped toward her. "Six?"
"It’s normal for them to..."
"Six is less than seven..."
"Damien." Her voice was patient. Too patient. "Breathe."
"I am breathing..."
"You’re hyperventilating."
Mei leaned forward from where she’d squeezed herself into the corner of the back seat. "Baby, are you sure you’re..."
"Mom. I’m fine. The baby’s fine. Everyone needs to calm down."
"We are calm," Damien said.
Aria looked at him. "You haven’t let go of my hand since we got in the car."
"That’s because..."
Another contraction hit. Aria’s grip tightened on his hand. She breathed through it, controlled and steady, while Damien felt his entire world narrow to her face.
"Aria..."
"I’m okay." She released his hand as the contraction passed. Checked her phone. "Five minutes now."
"That’s faster..."
"It’s supposed to get faster."
"How are you so..."
"Medical school, Damien. Four years of it."
Marcus pulled up to the hospital emergency entrance. Staff were already waiting with a wheelchair.
Damien was out of the car before it fully stopped. Opened Aria’s door. Reached for her.
She climbed out herself.
"Aria..."
"I can walk."
"You just had a contraction..."
"Which is why I’m getting in the wheelchair." She sat. Looked up at the hovering nurse. "Hi. I’m Dr. Blackwood. Water broke about ten minutes ago. Contractions are five minutes apart. No complications so far."
The nurse nodded, professional. "Dr. Martinez is waiting for you in the private wing. We’re ready for you."
They wheeled her through the doors. Damien followed so closely he nearly ran into the wheelchair twice. Marcus and Alexander flanked them. Mei was crying quietly into a tissue that Alexander had somehow produced.
The private wing was quiet. Calm. Everything the last fifteen minutes hadn’t been.
A doctor approached....Dr. Martinez, mid-forties, calm eyes. "Dr. Blackwood. Mr. Blackwood. Everything’s ready. Let’s get you settled."
They wheeled Aria into a large private room. Hospital bed, monitors, everything sterile and prepared.
Damien stood in the doorway, suddenly frozen.
This was happening. Right now. His child was about to be born.
"Boss." Marcus’s voice was quiet beside him. "She needs you to not look terrified."
"I’m not terrified."
"You look terrified."
"I’m..." Damien stopped. Took a breath. "How long does this usually take?"
"Hours, typically. Sometimes longer."
"Hours?"
"Boss. Breathe."
Aria was being helped onto the bed by two nurses. Changed into a hospital gown. Monitors being attached. Dr. Martinez checking everything with efficient calm.
Damien finally moved into the room. Went to Aria’s side.
She looked up at him. "You okay?"
"I’m supposed to be asking you that."
"I’m fine. You look like you’re at a funeral."
"I don’t...."
Another contraction. Aria’s hand shot out, grabbed his. Squeezed hard enough to hurt.
He didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Just watched her face as she worked through it.
When it passed, she released him. "Four minutes."
"That’s...."
"Getting faster. I know." She met his eyes. "This is normal, Damien."
Dr. Martinez looked up from her chart. "Everything looks good. Contractions are progressing normally. We’ll monitor and reassess." She glanced at Damien. "You’re staying?"
"Yes."
"Good. She’ll need you."
Damien nodded. Couldn’t speak.
Marcus appeared in the doorway. "Waiting room is down the hall. I’ll coordinate from there."
"You’re not...."
"You’re staying with Madam, Boss. I’ll handle everything else."
He disappeared.
Mei hovered near the bed. "Baby, do you need..."
"Mom. I’m okay. You should go wait with..."
"I’m not leaving...."
"Mei." Alexander’s voice was gentle. "Let’s give them space. We’ll be right outside."
Mei looked torn. Aria squeezed her hand. "I’ll be fine. I promise."
Mei nodded. Let Alexander lead her out.
The door closed.
Damien and Aria alone except for the nurses who were quietly monitoring equipment.
She looked at him. "You really do look terrified."
"I’m not...." He stopped. "Okay. Maybe a little."
"A little?"
"I’ve never done this before."
"Neither have I."
"You’re a doctor..."
"I’ve delivered babies. I’ve never given birth to one." She smiled. Reached for his hand. "We’re doing this together."
He held her hand. Couldn’t think of anything to say that didn’t sound completely inadequate.
Another contraction came. Then another.
The hours started to blur.
The waiting room had become chaos central.
Mei paced the length of the room for the forty-seventh time. Alexander sat in a chair, trying to look calm, leg bouncing so fast it was vibrating the floor.
Richard had appeared sometime in the last hour. Nobody had called him. He’d just... shown up. Sat in the corner with his cane across his knees, watching everyone with those sharp eyes.
Lucy arrived crying. Hadn’t stopped crying. Marcus handed her tissues periodically.
Julian had somehow gotten word and flown in from God knew where. Stood awkwardly near the door like he wasn’t sure if he should be there but wasn’t leaving.
Marcus coordinated everything from a chair in the corner, phone in hand, keeping Damien’s schedule clear, managing the Foundation crisis that had erupted when Aria’s water broke on stage, and somehow also keeping the waiting room from descending into complete pandemonium.
"How long has it been?" Mei asked for the eightieth time.
