Tame the Beast : Small Beach Town, Single Mom Romance

Ninasunshine: Are you sure it’s not that cocktail you just drank at ten AM?

CookieJ: LADIES!

Willoflove/Ninasunshine/Toughtolove: What???

CookieJ: It’s Zoe. Her water broke.

Willoflove: Say that again.

Ninasushine: Does that mean what I think it means?

Willoflove: See you all in ten!

Toughtolove: See, now we are talking. I love me some plot twist.

12

Matteo

“It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them.” – Agatha Christie

“Zoe.” I slap my hand on the counter. “Where is my Zoe?”

“Last name?” the receptionist asks with a smile. Jesus, why are they all so happy here. This place could give the Fear Factor a run for its money.

Last name. I don’t even know her freaking last name! I scrub my face, “Are there many Zoe’s giving birth at the moment?”

“Just one.”

I snap my fingers and point the index one at her, “Bingo. That one is mine.”

“And you are?”

“Father of the baby, babies,” I amend. “Matteo Loverson. Where do I go?” The girl slowly lifts up her eyes to mine, regarding me with a shocked expression.

Yes, yes. Me, Matteo is becoming a dad. The playboy days are over. Can we get on with it?

I give my head a slight, impatient shake, bulging my eyes at her as if to say, “Any day now,” and she clears her throat, quickly looking up the room number.

“Room 105, down the hall,” she says, and I’m running that way before she finishes the sentence. I’m almost at the door when Zoe’s agonizing scream pierces through me.

Fuck!

I burst in, seeing her changed into a hospital gown with something strapped around her belly as she stands by the side of the bed, her hands fisting the sheet.

“Beastie, I’m back!” I run over to her, dropping the bags in the corner. “What should I do? Tell me what you need, Sunshine? Where is the fucking doctor? Can’t you do something to help her?” I glare at that same chilled-out nurse, sitting by the monitors.

Forget cheap, diluted liquor. She’s getting the dish water.

I place my hand on her back, rubbing it and it seems to do something because she takes a deep breath and releases a soft sigh.

“It’s all going according to Zoe’s plan. The midwife will come when it’s time. Just breathe, Zoe, this is a natural process.”

“Fuck the plan,” Zoe seethes through her teeth. “I want the epidural,” she says, yet the nurse is not moving.

“She said she wants whatever that is! Why aren’t you moving yet?” I yell out.

“Zoe, you don’t really want that. You have a plan and it’s important we stick to it.”