*Lena*

Xander was walking a few paces behind me. He glanced down at his watch from time to time, especially whenever I bent over with my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath every time a contraction ripped from my lower back and settled over my belly.

“Are you doing okay?” he asked as I wiped tears from my eyes, refusing to look at him.

“What am I supposed to do with a newborn at ...