Allissa

I was losing the war with my own body.

Every contraction hit like a meteor, atomic and personal. My knees were up, my hands curled so tight I was gouging the tender skin of my own palms. Sweat slicked my scalp, pooled in the valley of my chest, and trickled down the sides of my face in slow, traitorous lines. I wanted to hang on as long as I could. I was hoping Darren would make it back in time but it wasn’t looking good.

Eira was by my side with her cool hands and gentle ...