I stare at Jacob; my heart thumps loudly in my ears as he and Embry glare at me, stood tense in the small ice cream store. I look away and close my eyes, exhaling shakily. They can't be real. You're just imagining it, its a stressful time...
However they're still there when I reopen my eyes. Emily stands so she's between me and the two large, angry wolves. "I think you need to step outside, this isn't good for Rob."
"Butt out Emily." Embry says a in a low voice.
"Don't you dare speak to her that way Embry Call!" I slam my hand on the table and glare over at him.
"Oh wow, the coward speaks!" Jacob snarls, laughing coldly.
I suck my teeth and stand. "You know what, you'll find out soon anyway, so here. This is why I left." I snarl as I walk out from behind Em.
Their eyes move to my stomach, examining the way my hand cradles my tummy and my other rests at my side in a clenched fist. Embry begins to violenlty shake and breathe heavy. "He... he... MOTHERFUCKER!"
I grab his arm roughly and pull him out of the shop as people stare; I push him towards the trees. "I've spent the last 8 months away from my home so I don't get the urge to phase and kill my baby but so help me Embry I will phase this second and rip you to shreds if you don't just shut up!" I scream, my frame beginning to shake.
"Alright alright, lets take it down a notch." Jacob says as he wraps an arm around my waist and extends his other hand to Embry as a warning to stay back. I snarl at the touch but don't pull away, for fear of losing it if he isnt restraining me. I have to keep a grip - for my baby. For Paul.
"You didn't have to leave. No note, no call. Nothing to say you are okay!" Embry yells.
"Sam knew. Paul knew. They are the only people who needed to - the idea of disappearing, Embry, is that no one knows where you are!" I growl.
"We're family! That baby is my niece or nephew, its a part of the pack! We can help you."
"MY baby is nothing to do with anyone but me or Paul." I growl. "I don't need your help, nor do I want it!"
I close my eyes and take some deep breaths; they're interrupted as I let out a groan from between my tight lips. Emily takes my hand. "Robyn?"
"J-just a contraction." I whisper as I slowly look up. "I was fine. We were fine. I don't need you - any of you. I chose my baby, now you all know that feel free to disappear again or let me." I whisper as I untangle myself from Jacob and quickly walk towards my truck.
"Robyn-" Embry calls but Emily interrupts him.
"She's right. Her baby is the most important thing - respect that. Don't put either of them in harms way." She says gently, hanging back too.
Tears blur my vision as I drive, gripping the wheel at the sudden reoccurance of a contraction. "Those assholes." I whisper with a gasp as I pull up outside the house. I open the door and extend my leg to climb down, only for a scream to leave my lips at the sudden pain that occurs, followed by a slight splash. "No no no!" I whisper as I begin to cry.
The door closes as I pull myself back into the car and try to breathe evenly, try to let it pass. Maybe it wasn't my waters. Maybe it was just pee - I mean, its disgusting but I've read shit while being pregnant and it happens. With a wave of pain from another contraction I know its worse than I thought - my waters broke and I can't get out of my truck. This can't be happening.
I let out a slight sob and bite my lip harder, trying to keep control.
You got this Robyn. Just take your time, crawl into the freaking house if you have to.
I shakily reach for my phone and see it's dead - of course. "FUCK!" I scream in frustration. I take a few deeo breaths and open the door again, pushing myself out of the car slowly. I gently place my foot on the ground and steady myself, slamming the door before leaning on it, my forehead on the window.
"Robyn!?" A voice calls and I just about cry with relief.
"It's coming!" I call to Paul as he wraps an arm around me; I look up at him and see the shock written on his face. "H-hospital, now." I order before I groan at another contraction.
"Shit shit shit shit-"
"YES SHIT I GET IT!" I scream.
He shakes his head snapping out of it and lifts me easily into my arms. "Okay. Alright. I got this." He mutters to himself as he places me in the passenger seat. He jogs around and climbs into the drivers seat, immediately beginning to drive fast.
I grab his arm and scream, digging my nails into his arm. "YOU DID THIS!"
"WE did this." Paul laughs as he grins excitedly like a child. "We made that baby and it's coming right now. Our baby!"
I glare and pant a little, trying to remember my breathing. "Jesus Paul!" I quickly shove my hand in front of me and catch myself on the dash as he breaks hard.
"Shit sorry." He says. "Goddammit, move!"
"Paul, you better get me to that hospital because I am not birthing in the back of my truck." I growl lowly, bracing both hands on the dash.
"I promise it'll be okay. I'll get us there."
-
I lay on my side and look over at Paul as he bounces our son around the room. "You lied." I mumble tiredly.
He looks away from him. "Hmm?"
"You said you'd get us here on time." I smile teasingly.
He grins as he sits in the armchair and lays the baby on his bare chest. "You didn't cross your legs enough. He's stubborn like his mom anyway."
I giggle small and sit up a little. "Gimme my baby." I hold my hands out and Paul gently hands him over. I coo and stroke his little lips, repositioning his hat and making sure his swaddle is secured. "My little Elijah."
"You're set on that name huh?" Paul laughs as he sits beside me and wraps an arm around my shoulders.
"I just know. Now I've seen him, that's his name." I say gently. "Elijah Samuel Lahote."
"Samuel?" He frowns.
"I owe it to Sam."
"How?"
I shrug gently and look at Elijah; my sweet little Eli. It was all worth it. All the pain of birth, the struggle of pregnancy. The leaving those I love. It was worth it for my sweet boy. "I can't believe he's real." I whisper.
"You keep saying that." Paul grins and kisses my head.
I giggle lightly. "I know. It's just true."
Paul laughs and rests his cheek on my head. "What are we gonna do baby?"
"What do you mean?" I frown.
"Do you wanna stay away? Everyone knows now... maybe you'll be okay at home." He says softly.
I sigh. "This again? He's barely a week old and you're already going on at me. I do not want the obligations of the pack - I wanted out. If I go back, I'll phase and have to be apart of it."
"No you don't. You'll focus on Eli so much that you won't have time to worry about phasing."
"What about when I'm tired, sleep deprived? Hormonal? When I get mad at you, what am I supposed to do, cry? No thank you. I'm happy where I am in my little house with my sweet Elijah. You agreed to this."
"Yes, months ago." He snaps. "But I never imagined feeling such a strong bond with my own baby. I never want to be away from him, or you." He runs his hand through his hair and begins to pace.
I hold Elijah closer to me, his eyes watching me. "I'm sorry Paul, but I'm not going back. I can't - I won't. And I'm sorry that I'm so selfish but I finally have stability in my life, I have something I never wanted but somehow always needed - I have someone who relies on me, who needs me. He is all that matters to me and were all better away from the res."
"This isn't just your decision-"
"It is now. If you can't consider what I want then go - neither of us need you." I tear. I don't mean it - I'm exhausted, unwell, emotional, hormonal. I shouldn't have said it - but I needed to.
"He's my son." Paul whispers, hurt.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll forget him soon enough." I whisper and roll over so my backs to him as tears fall. I hear the door open and slam, making me jump before the dam breaks and the flood works begin. Robyn, you idiot.