The warm evening air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling barbecue, the sound of laughter, and the occasional clinking of glasses. Strings of fairy lights hung overhead, casting a golden glow on the backyard where Victoria, Zayden, and a handful of their closest friends were gathered. Alessia, now four years old, sat cross-legged on a blanket with Elena, meticulously arranging toy dinosaurs into what she called “the dino tea party.”
“You can’t have T-Rex drinking tea, Alessia,” Elena teased. “He’s more of a meat-eater.”
Alessia scrunched up her face in thought. “But he can still have tea, Auntie Elena. It’s my party.”
“Can’t argue with that logic,” Tobias chimed in from his spot near the grill, flipping burgers. “Alessia, you’re going to be running this house before long.”
“Already does,” Zayden called from his chair, holding up a glass of iced tea. “She’s been bossing me around since she could talk.”
Victoria, lounging in a chair with a hand resting on her very pregnant belly, smirked. “She’s just warming up. Wait until there are two of them.”
“Oh, don’t remind me,” Zayden said, mock-groaning. “I’m not ready for double the chaos.”
“Chaos is your middle name,” Jonathan quipped, tossing a ball for Zayden’s dog to chase. “You’ll be fine.”
Victoria leaned back, watching the group with a contented smile. The sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Everything felt perfect—until a sharp pang shot through her belly, causing her to sit up abruptly.
“Whoa,” Victoria said, gripping the arm of her chair. Her sudden movement caught Zayden’s attention.
“You okay?” he asked, setting down his drink and leaning forward.
Victoria exhaled, brushing it off. “Yeah, yeah. Just a Braxton Hicks. Nothing to worry about.”
Zayden didn’t look convinced. “You sure? You’ve been having a lot of those lately.”
“Trust me,” Victoria said, waving him off. “I know the difference.”
But less than five minutes later, she winced again, this time clutching her belly. Zayden was out of his chair in an instant, crouching beside her. “That didn’t look like nothing.”
“It’s fine,” Victoria said, though her voice wavered slightly. “Maybe just a little… stronger than usual.”
Elena, overhearing, glanced up from Alessia’s tea party. “Stronger? Define ‘stronger.’ On a scale of one to ‘grab the hospital bag,’ where are we?”
Victoria hesitated, but another wave of pain rolled through her, and this time, she let out a soft gasp. “Okay, maybe an eight.”
“Eight?!” Zayden exclaimed, standing up. “That’s not Braxton Hicks, Vic. That’s go time!”
“I don’t know,” Victoria said, her voice laced with uncertainty. “It might not—”
Another contraction cut her off, this one stronger than the last. She gritted her teeth, gripping Zayden’s arm. “Okay. Okay, it’s real.”
Elena sprang into action, scooping up Alessia. “Alright, team! Code Baby is a go! Jonathan, grab the hospital bag from inside. Tobias, get the car ready. Zayden, stop looking like a deer in headlights and help your wife!”
Zayden snapped into focus, wrapping an arm around Victoria to help her stand. “Okay, okay. We’ve got this. Deep breaths, Vic.”
“I’m breathing just fine,” Victoria shot back, her tone sharp but strained. “You’re the one panicking.”
“Not panicking,” Zayden said quickly, though his wide eyes betrayed him. “Just… very aware of the situation.”
Jonathan dashed out of the house with the hospital bag in hand. “Bag secured. Car’s good to go.”
“Don’t forget Alessia’s overnight stuff,” Victoria said through clenched teeth, pointing toward the house. “It’s in her room.”
“I’m on it,” Elena said, rushing inside with Alessia still in tow.
“Wait!” Alessia called out, her little voice worried. “What’s happening? Where are we going?”
“You’re going to stay with Auntie Elena for a bit, sweetheart,” Zayden said, trying to sound calm even as he helped Victoria toward the car. “Mommy and Daddy are going to meet your baby brother.”
Alessia’s eyes widened with excitement. “Baby brother? Is he coming now?”
“Very soon,” Victoria managed to say, forcing a smile despite the pain. “You’ll meet him soon, I promise.”
Alessia nodded solemnly, as if her approval was required to proceed. “Okay, but you have to tell him I said hi!”
“Deal,” Zayden said, lifting Victoria gently into the passenger seat.