“There are too many people in here.” A nurse bustled in and glared. “All but the mom and her two men. Y’all need to go. There’s a waiting room if you wish. But she’s going to drink this and then rest for a while before we release her tomorrow. Best thing is to go home and wait.”

Ben’s shoulders slumped, and Ella turned, hugging him. Just needing him to know she cared. He sniffled and hugged her back. “Can I get you guys anything? How about some blankets and pillows? I know you’ll both be staying here with her overnight.”

“Could you?” Ben looked down at her, so much worry on his face that her heart ached for him.

“Of course. I’ll run to your place right now.” She turned to Erin. “Do you want me to bring anything specific?”

She got a list and directions to where everything was and kissed Erin’s cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll bring you back some Red Mill too. For you, O Pregnant One, I’ll make you something healthy instead.”

“Pffft. Healthy. Healthy sucks.” Erin pouted, and Todd kissed the top of her head.

“I know, doll. But once the wee one is out, you can go back to your normal diet.” Ella patted her hand. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll have my phone if you think of anything else you need.” She kissed Erin’s cheek, followed by big hugs from Todd and Ben.

“Thank you for this,” Todd murmured.

She touched his cheek. “Of course. That’s what friends are for, right?”

He nodded, and she grabbed her bag, moving toward the door. Adrian looked lost, so she stopped for a moment. “Hey, she’s going to be fine. The doctor said she just needed to be off her feet. She’s here being watched by the best.”

“I’m scared,” he said softly, his voice nearly breaking.

“I know. She is too. Ben and Todd are too. Brody is. Cope is. I am. Elise is. We all are. Thing is, this is reversible with rest. That’s what the doctor told us, remember? Just blood pressure and water retention. It’s not full blown preeclampsia yet. And if they need to, they can deliver the baby immediately. This is the floor where they deliver babies, remember. These are all health professionals trained specifically for this situation. Now, listen.” She paused. “Hear that?”

The little patter of the heart monitor they’d put on Erin’s belly sounded clearly in the room. “He or she is so much like her. Can you hear it? That’s a bold heartbeat. Bold and strong. Just like his or her momma.”

He hugged her again. “Thank you, Ella.”

“You know where I am if you need anything, okay? I’ll bring back food for you guys too.”

Adrian looked to Cope. “You’re a lucky man.”

“Let me run you over.” Elise smiled and then laughed. “You know what I mean.”

“I do. Thanks. I rode in with Cope, and I know he wants to stay here.”

Andrew had been looking at her as she’d been comforting Adrian. She could see the worry all over him. “I brought you; I can take you back.”

She sighed at his tone, feeling horrible in general. For her friends and for Andrew more specifically. She knew more than most that he wanted to fix things, and this was something he could not fix.

Ella took his hands, drawing them to her mouth. His expression softened, and he pulled her into a hug, kissing her temple. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

“You’re worried. You get a free pass today. Shall I bring you back anything?”

“I’m going to take you. I know where everything is anyway. And then I can be sure you get home safely before I come back.” He looked toward Elise. “I got this. Be here for Brody.”

“Hey, do you have a place for Rennie to be tonight? Would you like me to take her back to my house? I can get her to school in the morning.”

Elise walked her out into the hallway as everyone said their good-byes to Erin under the stink eye the nurse sent.

“My dad took her to their place tonight. Thank you for offering, sweetie. I’ll go home to get her later. Brody won’t want to leave Erin, but I can’t do much for either of them. I’ll get her to school in the morning and then come here to check on everyone.”

“I’ll take the morning shift at the café tomorrow, so I’ll be around if you need me to grab her after school or whatever. Call me.” She hugged Elise, who hugged her back tightly.

“Thanks.”

Cope worried the whole drive over to Ben’s place. He knew it was silly, knew Erin was in good hands. But it scared him shitless to think about what his brother would go through should they lose the baby or Erin.

Ella left him to his thoughts. Another thing he appreciated about her, she seemed to understand when he needed to think and be left alone. She didn’t try to guilt him into paying attention to her or pout like so many other women he knew did.

She took his hand as they got out and made their way to the elevator.

“I’m sorry I was short with you earlier. I’m an ass**le.”

“You’re not an ass**le. You’re worried about your brother and Erin and the baby. It’s okay you know, to be human. Also, I’m not made of glass.”

She forged ahead when the elevator arrived on Erin’s floor. He unlocked the door and turned off the entry alarm.

“I didn’t say you were made of glass,” he said as he led the way to the master bedroom.