“Edna and David.” Raven kicks her feet up on the coffee table and starts flipping through the channels, stopping on some Ted Bundy documentary. “They even offered to let us use their old hoopty car if we end up needing to go to the hospital so no one will recognize us.”

Edna and David are the twins’ maternal grandparents, but of no relation to Raven. Alex and Ava’s biological mother died of brain cancer when they were just two years old. That’s when Nick learned of their existence, and they came to live with him. It was a whole shitshow, but one that brought so many unlikely people together. They’re the reason Nick and Raven decided to settle down in Nashville and subsequently why the rest of the group has followed suit.

“They’re amazing.” In just the few months I’ve lived here, I’ve discerned what a blessing they are not only to Nick and Raven and the twins, but the entire group. They’ve really taken on the role of pseudo parents to us all.

“If I’d lived in Washington back then…” Raven points the remote at the TV and shakes her head as if disgusted with herself. “I’d have been bludgeoned to death by that man.”

Korie snorts and quickly agrees.

“Why do you think that?”

With a finger, she splits her long dark hair in two. “I fit the profile…and my horny ass never would have turned that prime specimen down.”

“Okay,” I say, clearly seeing it. “You have a poi—ohh!”

My belly squeezes tight as another pain renders me mute.

“That was only ten minutes,” Raven announces, while Korie tries to remind me to breathe through the pain.

“Fuck, that hurts.” I grab a tissue and dab at the tears welling in my eyes.

“Should you maybe let Lyle know you decided to skip out on the show?” Korie asks. “Cuz even if you don’t end up going in to the hospital tonight, there’s no way you can go to the show like this. Those men will all jump off that stage in the middle of a song if they see you bowled over like that.”

I check the time. She’s right. Their show starts in just thirty minutes. “Okay.”

I grab my phone and fire off a quick text.

Me: Hey. I’m still feeling pretty tired. Gonna take your suggestion and stay back and hang with the girls tonight. Love you so much. Have a great show.

Lyle: Sounds good, Li’l Momma. Love you

No sooner do I put my phone down than another sharp pain strikes.

“Five minutes,” Raven announces with a giddy excitement that has me seriously considering tit-punching her.

When I get two more at five minutes apart, we decide collectively it’s time to call Dr. Ruby and head to Memorial.

“Shouldn’t we tell the guys? Or at least Anika?” Raven worries her lips.