Urgent Calls

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SAMMY

I wasn't sure whether something happened at Nash and Kennedy's but ever since we left Mitch had been unusually affectionate and attentive. I wasn't complaining, believe me. I loved it. I was just a bit surprised.

Nash's driver had taken us home and Mitchell had made sure the car dropped me off first, even though that was out of the way for him. Jackson didn't come along at all. His excuse was that he was going to catch the end of the game at the sports bar by Mitchell's apartment. I wasn't sure if that was code for him meeting someone, or if he was actually going to the bar, but I didn't care either way. I loved the fact that I got Mitch to myself, even if it was just for a short car ride.

Always a gentleman, Mitch opened the car door and held it open for me, allowing me to enter ahead of him. Once we were seated next to each other he took my hand into his and held it the entire way to my apartment. I kind of loved it. It was relatively innocent, and not something I was used to, but kind of romantic, and my body seemed to approve. I started to feel tingly all over.

Once the car pulled up in front of my apartment building, Mitch gave my hand a quick squeeze and kissed my cheek goodbye. Again, polite and innocent behavior, but enough to get my blood pumping faster. If I would've been more comfortable with where we stood with each other, I would've made a move. Mitch was a beautiful man, in all aspects, but at that moment it was his physical attributes I thought of. But I needed him to be ready, and I felt it was his turn. I was ready to take our relationship to the next step - who am I kidding, I'd been ready for a while - but I needed him to be there as well. I didn't want to force myself on him.

After a restless night with a lot of tossing and turning and quite a few sexually aroused fantasies - and not very innocent may I add - about the tall, blond, hockey player, I finally fell into a deep sleep right before the alarm went off. I was tired, grumpy, and sexually frustrated.

I'd never been so thankful for the coffee machine Kennedy had given to me when she came back from California as I was that morning. I programmed a large cup, took a quick shower, dressed in a pair of comfy yoga pants and a long red tunic, and left for work with my to-go cup.

Mitch began to text me shortly after 6 am. I wasn't supposed to be on my phone at work, but since I was decorating hundreds of cupcakes that were to be used for some kind of fundraiser, I didn't think it mattered too much. It wasn't like my hands were covered in flour or dough.

We texted back and forth and made plans to get together for dinner on Thursday. The Empires had a home game on Wednesday - which I would be watching with Kennedy in her apartment - and then the team was leaving for Ohio on Friday morning. Nash was already stressing about that, so I had promised him I'd spend my entire weekend with Kennedy. Except for the few hours I had to go to work because I did have one cake order for a Sunday anniversary party, but Jackson would be around for that.

I had just handed off the boxes with all the cupcakes to the delivery guy when my phone rang. I dove for it, worried that it was Kennedy. But it wasn't. It was Mitch, which surprised me since we'd been texting all morning.

"Hey, stranger," I answered.

"Sammy," he said in a tone I'd never heard him use before. It sounded desperate and I was instantly worried and on alert.

"What's wrong?" I asked at the same time as I removed the hairnet from my head. I just knew something was up and I'd need to leave.

"It's time. Kennedy is on her way to the hospital."

"Oh my god," I stopped in the middle of the room. "Is she okay, I mean is there something wrong with her?"

"No, her water broke."

That was normal, although a bit early, so why was Mitchell freaking out?

"O k a y," I said slowly. "Then why are you worried?"

"I need to find Nash."

Oh. Shit.

"Well, where is he?"

Mitch snorted. "At the most important endorsement meeting he has ever had."

"Oh, damn," I sighed. Of course, he was. This whole pregnancy had been a roller coaster for them. Why would the end be any different?

"What do you want me to do?" I shifted the phone so I held it between my cheek and my shoulder, turned the faucet on, and began to wash my hands.

"Can you go to the hospital? Jackson is with her."

"Of course." I shut the water off and reached for a towel. "I'll leave as soon as I can."

"Thanks, Sammy."

"Of course." I removed the apron and hung it on the wall next to the other ones. "I'll see you there?"

"Yeah," he snorted. "As soon as I find the dad."

"Alright," I giggled. "It'll be okay, Mitch. Take a deep breath."

"Trying."

Sylvia was very understanding when I told her I had to leave. I launched into an explanation and offered to work overtime to make up for it, when she cut me off and told me "to get the hell out and not worry about the store." She'd call her sister for help if she needed it. Now, I knew her sister wasn't the most reliable person in the world, but I was glad Sylvia understood that I needed to leave.

I ran to the subway station. Granted it wasn't more than two blocks but I never exercised - at least not on purpose - so I was panting and starting to sweat when I got there, only to change my mind. I would have to switch trains at least once and that would take too long. So I hailed a cab instead.

I texted Jackson in the cab, as I figured Kennedy was probably too busy to check her phone, just to let him know I was on my way. He didn't respond, but then I didn't really expect him too. I figured he was busy holding her hand and shit.

The cab driver was awesome. He weaved in and out of traffic and hung on the horn when some stupid car cut him off. We made awesome time and arrived at the hospital much earlier than I would've if I'd taken the subway. I threw him all the cash I had for a tip. But that was as far as my luck went.

The woman at the hospital reception desk wouldn't let me go see Kennedy no matter how hard I tried. Since I wasn't a blood relative I'd have to wait in the waiting room. She didn't care that Kennedy was my best friend, and that her kid was going to be my honorary nephew. I even tried to throw Nash's name around to no avail.

Once my stress level rose to where I expected Mitchell's had been earlier I decided to just call Jackson.

It took about fifteen minutes before he came out and got me. But by then I'd paced the floor and chewed my cuticles raw. It felt like I failed. Kennedy needed me, and I wasn't able to get to her. When Jackson finally held the door open and beckoned for me to follow him, I felt such a relief that I couldn't help but give the woman at the reception desk the biggest smile as I walked past her. A bit petty, I know.

"How is she?" I asked.

"Hanging in there," he said as he led me down a narrow corridor, "but man are those contractions strong."

Jackson wasn't that much taller than me but he was walking so fast I almost had to jog to keep up with him.

"How are far apart are they?" I asked. "Have she seen her doctor yet? Is everything okay with the baby? And have you heard from Nash?"

"Slow down," he chuckled. We had reached the elevator and he pressed the button. "No Nash yet. Hopefully, Mitch is able to get him or I have a feeling Kennedy will have a meltdown. The doctor is on her way. Everything is fine according to the nurses, and the contractions are less than five minutes apart."

"Wholly shit!"

"Yeah. That about sums it up," Jackson agreed.

We arrived on the maternity floor and I again hurried to keep up with Jackson.

I mentally prepared myself, as we neared the hospital room, knowing there would be beeping machines and Kennedy would be in pain, but I wasn't prepared for the scream we heard as we reached the door.

"Ah, damn," Jackson groaned, "they're getting closer."

I tried to swallow down the panic I felt that she was in there dealing with it all on her own. I hurried over to Kennedy's side and took her hand in mine, and wholly shit was she strong. I could literally feel the bones shift as she squeezed the hell out of my hand. I had to bite my tongue in order not to scream along with her.

"Sammy," she sighed when the contraction was over, like I was some kind of savior. "You're here."

"Where else would I be?" I asked her. "You're the sister I never had, and I'm about to be an almost aunt."

She smiled, but I could tell that she was both tired and in pain.

"You'll be the best almost aunt ever."

"Damn right," I agreed, using one of Mitchell's sayings, and took the seat next to her hospital bed. She looked so tiny in the bed, hooked up to some kind of drip and with straps wrapped around the only thing that was big on her, the huge belly. I wanted to protect her and could only imagine how Nash would feel once he saw her.

"Where is Nash?" she asked and looked from me to Jackson.

"Endorsement meeting. Mitch is getting him."

"Oh," her eyes widened. "Damn, I just remember that he left the phone number for the secretary on my desk. There was something about cell phones not working there or something like that." She rubbed at her forehead. "I can't believe I forgot that. He reminded me so many times." She turned from me to Jackson. "You don't have the number do you?"

"No, sorry, Ken. I do remember seeing it..."

"I'm sure he'll be here soon," I interjected. "What can I do in the meantime?"

"Just hold my hand. Maybe get some ice chips."

"I got the ice chips," Jackson said and almost sprinted out of the room, which left me alone with Kennedy when the doctor arrived. She examined Kennedy, determined that everything was moving fast but appropriately, and left to check on another patient.

When Nash and Mitchell finally arrived half an hour later I was so relieved I could've kissed both of them. As it was I settled for a smile and long exhale. It kind of felt like the pressure was off me since Nash was there.

"Thanks, Sammy," he said and squeezed my shoulder before he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Kennedy's sweaty brow. "I'm here, babe."

"I forgot about the secretary's number," Kennedy started to explain but Nash just pressed a finger to her lips and shook his head. "It's alright. I'm here. Let's just get through this so we can meet our son, okay?"

"Okay," she agreed and I felt myself nodding along with her. I was totally on board with whatever Nash said.

It didn't take long for Kennedy's contractions to get really close and we got referred to the waiting area. Jackson sprinted out of the room, but Mitchell seemed almost upset so I stopped him in the corridor and asked if he was alright.

"Yeah." He nodded slowly. "I'm fine, it's just that so much is changing, and I kind of feel like I'm on the sideline just watching it all happen."

"You're not on the sideline, Mitch. You're as much a part of Nash and Kennedy's story as I am."

He swallowed hard and avoided my eyes until I took his hand in mine and squeezed it encouragingly.

"Mitch," I urged, and was awarded with his blue eyes turning their full intensity on me. He seemed unusually vulnerable.

"What if I don't just want to watch anymore?"

"What do you mean?"

"I think I might want that. What they have."

"What? A baby?" I asked and for some reason, the thought of having a baby with Mitch made my insides all hot and bothered.

He nodded and I squeezed his hand which I just realized I was still holding.

"I want all that too," I admitted.

His facial expression softened and then he kissed me. Right there in the hospital hallway. He didn't seem to care who saw us, or if Jackson was around. It was soft and gentle but so amazingly sweet, because it held a promise of what was to come. And that was just so much more than I ever could have hoped for.

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