“Contractions!?”

Ruby’s voice cracked so sharply it echoed down the corridor. Her hand flew to her chest as if the word itself had struck her. “That’s… that’s too early,” she said breathlessly, shaking her head. “It’s too early for that, isn’t it?”

Dr. Felicia didn’t answer immediately. She inhaled slowly, the kind of breath doctors took when they were about to say something no parent ever wanted to hear.

“Yes,” she said carefully. “It is early. Much too ...