Haley held one of her hands, coaching her like a pro, and Scott was at her other, seeming to be saying all the right things. Finn waited back by Haley, out of the way but right there.
“Get over here,” Zoe roared and pouted the second she laid eyes on Ryder.
Scott quickly stepped back and motioned for Ryder to step in.
Zoe growled again as another one hit.
As Ryder walked up, Scott patted his shoulder and whispered, “With how strongly her water broke, it’s been a bit rough. Glad you’re here.”
Ryder nodded quickly and kept toward Zoe.
Instantly, his eyes flooded as she grabbed his hand and cut off his circulation with her fierce grip.
“Hey, Zoe. You got this. I’m so proud of you,” he murmured, so many things flowing into his mind and he had no idea what the right thing to say was.
“Took your damn time,” she roared, and gripped him tighter.
“Last time I’m late, I promise.”
“But you made it,” she said with the most pitiful smile he’d ever seen.
He shook his head and kissed the back of her hand. “I was stupid. I should have been here sooner.”
“Hey. You made it for her. That’s what’s important.”
“I should have been here for you through all of this,” he said, aching as he searched her look. “I love you, Zoe.”
Another one hit her hard, and her attention was fully in the contraction.
“She’s crowning,” the doctor said, beaming up at Zoe. “You’re doing great.”
As the contraction eased, Zoe turned and looked at him again, smiling pitifully. “You waited until just now to tell me that?”
A weary laugh rattled in his chest, and he kissed the back of her hand, and murmured as his lips touched her skin, “Sorry. I should have said it months ago.”
“Did you want to, months ago?”
“I didn’t want to rush you.”
He leaned in, closed his eyes, and kissed her softly. As he drew back, he said, “I’m serious, that I’ll never be late again.”
She huffed a weak laugh and lifted an eyebrow.
Before she could answer, another wave hit her, and she gripped down hard on his hand, whimpering and growling.
“You got this,” he said, helplessly wishing he could ease the pain for her. “I love you,” he said again.
The contraction eased, and, sweaty and limp, she tilted toward him.
“I quit my job,” he said, and at Zoe’s other side, Haley’s eyes bugged out. Scott, Evan, and Finn all looked at him like he was the fish out of water he felt like.
“What? Like, today?” Haley asked, as Zoe kept staring at him with disbelief. “You really quit?”
“Done. I’m sure I’ll have to send in a letter or something, but it’s done.”
“But your—” Zoe growled as another contraction hit her, not nearly enough space between them to let her catch her breath.
This one was massive, Zoe’s whimpering completely tearing up whatever he had left. Ryder held her hand as tight as she needed and kissed her on the head, giving whatever support he could.
