“Asher and I are here on cases quite a bit.” I smile down at her as we wait for the elevator.

“Where is Asher’s wife?” she asks softly.

“She passed away about three years ago.” My gut clenches as I think back to that dark time for my partner. “She was in an accident.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She blinks quickly, and I can see that she truly means the words. “Poor Casey.”

“It was rough on both of them,” I agree. “They’re doing better now, but it hasn’t been an easy road.”

“Does he have family here?”

The elevator doors open, and we climb aboard.

“No, his family is in New York. He’s been talking about going back home to be near his family, for help with Casey.”

“That would be a tough decision to make.”

The thought of losing my partner is as appealing as the thought of losing my right arm.

We can hear Livie wailing as we leave the elevator and walk toward the waiting room. Jules is holding the fussy toddler, bouncing and crooning to her, but Livie won’t be placated.

The room is full of family all dressed for a formal party, some sitting, some standing, all pretty much quiet.

Will and Meg are talking with Mark, Sam and Leo in one corner. Isaac and Stacy are standing with Caleb and Brynna while Nate and Dominic both try to help Jules quiet Liv.

“Matty!” Jules cries and walks to me immediately, leaning into me, cradling Livie to her. “Oh my God, it was so terrifying!”

“Okay, shush now, bean.” I take Olivia from her, hold her to my chest, and she rests her head on my shoulder, takes a long, shuddering breath and sighs.

“Why wouldn’t she do that for me? She loves me,” Jules sobs.

“She knows you’re worried and upset, Jules. It makes her upset, too. Now take a deep breath and fill me in.”

“We were driving to the vineyard,” she begins. “We were maybe five minutes out of the city, and suddenly Nat said that she had to go potty, and we all know how it can be when you’re pregnant. When you have to pee, you have to pee.” She swallows and wipes her tears from her cheeks.

Nic takes Jules’ hand in hers, and if I wasn’t already in love with her, it would have happened right then.

“We pulled over so she could use the restroom,” Nate says. “And she came out saying she was bleeding. So we turned right around and came straight here. They started some tests in the ER but brought her up to this floor because, regardless of the results, they’ll want to keep her at least one night.”

“Any idea at all what’s going on?” I ask and pat Liv’s back. She’s fallen asleep on me now, making little sucking motions with her heart-shaped lips.

She might be the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.

“We’re waiting to hear from Luke,” Dom replies. “He’s in with her.”

“Where is my baby?” my mom calls out as she and Dad come off the elevator.

Jules hugs Mom and kisses her cheek. “She’s being seen by the doctor.”

“Why can’t we get back there? Is it worse than they’re saying?” Samantha demands. “If it’s just a little blood and they’re monitoring, we should be able to take turns sitting and waiting with her.”

“I think it’s a combination of the pain she’s been having over the past few weeks, along with the bleeding,” Meg replies. “If she goes into labor, they won’t want us in there. They’re triaging her.”

“Neil,” my dad says as he shakes Luke’s dad’s hand. “Where’s Lucy?”

“She’s back there with them. The doctor said they could take one person, and Lucy went back first.”

“I want to go back next,” Jules insists.

“Here, will you take Livie?” I ask Nic. “I’m going to go talk to the nurse.”

Her eyes go wide, but she takes the baby from me, settles Liv on her shoulder and sways back and forth, kissing her head.

Jesus, she looks good with a baby on her.

I shake that thought off and march over to the nurse at the nurse’s station.

“I’m Detective Montgomery,” I begin. “I’m Natalie Williams’ brother. Can you give me any information?”

“I’m sorry, detective, I don’t have any information for you. The doctor is with her. I’m sure her husband or mother-in-law will come brief you all soon.” She leans in and lowers her voice. “Is that Will Montgomery, the football player? And Leo Nash?”

I stare at her hard, clenching my jaw, until she looks down in embarrassment. “I hope my family doesn’t have to worry about the press hearing about our emergency.” The threat is veiled, but it’s plain as day: Don’t fuck with my family.

“Of course not. I’m sorry. It shouldn’t be long until you hear something.”

I nod and walk back to Nic, Jules and Nate.

“Want me to take her?” I ask, gesturing to the sleeping baby.

“No, I have her,” Nic replies with a soft smile. “She’s asleep. We won’t move her.”

“My mom’s coming back to get her,” Stacy says. “They didn’t have enough car-seat space in the van for all the kids.”

I nod and shove my hands in my pockets and sigh in exasperation. Waiting is the worst. There’s absolutely nothing we can do, and I can tell by the looks on all my brothers’ faces that it’s making us all nuts. I glance down at Nic and see that she’s eyeing my mom nervously, and I realize what an asshole I am.

“I’m so sorry, Mom and Dad, I just realized that you haven’t met Nic yet.” I cringe and pull Nic to my side. “This is Nicole Dalton. Nic, these are my parents, Gail and Steven Montgomery.”

“So nice to meet you,” Nic replies and shakes both of their hands.

“Oh, no, it’s our pleasure.” Mom’s eyes are wide in surprise when they meet mine and then she smiles broadly at Nic before looking up to me with a million questions in her eyes. I know I’ll be getting the third degree later.

“This fucking blows.” Will sighs and rubs his hands over his face.

“I want to see my girl,” Mom whispers and brushes a tear from her eye.

I rub my hand up and down Mom’s back, soothing her, and glance over to see Nic with her lips resting on Livie’s head. She’s whispering to her and rocking her back and forth, and I suddenly feel like I’ve been punched in the face.