"Breathe, Skylar. I'm right here." Jasper's voice cut through the haze of pain steady and commanding as I clung to his hand like a lifeline.
I screamed through another contraction, tears streaming down my face. The sterile brightness of the hospital room blurred around me.
"I can't—" My voice cracked. "It's too early. They're not ready!"
Jasper knelt beside me, his face inches from mine. The polished facade was gone, replaced by something raw and urgent. "You're stronger than you think. Just focus on me, Skylar. We'll get through this."
I shook my head wildly, the panic crashing over me. "No, Jasper, this isn't supposed to happen!"
"Stop fighting it!" he growled, tugging at my hand. His tone straightened immediately. "You have to focus, Skylar. You have to push-for them."
Them. My babies. The word conjured, and I pushed through the fear and pain. I nodded weakly, gritting my teeth as another wave crashed.
