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Then he heard a moan

Ten

Chase's heart ju to find the one for her front door He shoved open the door and saw her, on her knees, clutching her belly For a round

She twisted a look over her shoulder, flinging her hand out to him "Chase! Help me!"

Two strides and he slid to his knees beside her She was breathing fast, her body sheened in sweat

"Jesus, Tessa How long?" He pushed damp hair off her face to look at her "Why didn't you call me?"

"I tried," she wailed and gestured to the cellular phone a few feet away on the floor "It started yesterday I didn't think er Johanna said it could be a while, but then my water broke—" Suddenly she bent over as a contraction ripped through her body "Oh God," she gasped "I've been trying to get to the phone"

"It's okay, angel," he soothed, gathering her in his arms

"No, it's early and I can't stand!"

Chase was surprised at how calht he'd choke on his heart any second Carefully he stood, cradling her against his chest "Breathe, angel Look atit shut "Tessa," he called when she was panting too hard, and she lifted her bleary gaze to his "I won't let anything hurt you"

She scoffed, wetting her lips "I don't think you can control this"

"Want those drugs yet?"

"Yes!" she groaned as he placed her carefully in the seat of his Jeep Chase was inside and down the road in seconds He dialed the doctor fro what he hoped resembled a sot her to the hospital En route he auto-dialed her family and his Inside the hospital was no less hectic, the exa that she was already dilated to nine centimeters

Chase was going to be a father in a matter of minutes