“My dear young lady, please call me, Jackson.”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that, sorry.” MacKenzie shook her head throughout her reply, aware that she was contradicting him.
“Of course you can, but that is a matter for discussion at another time. Right now, Aviva is going to help you upstairs and ensure your comfort... Aviva.” Jackson called, never taking his eyes from MacKenzie.
As though by magic, Aviva was by their side. How the hell did the man do that? One minute she wanted nothing more than to get out of his damn house, and the next she was standing there as calm as could be, waiting for her friend to accompany her upstairs.
For the first time since her struggle with the door, MacKenzie became fully aware of her surroundings, and her audience. Josh, Steve and Hope all stood in the hallway with varying expressions of amusement plastered on their faces.
Josh seemingly unable to withhold comment spoke to the women who were ready to depart. “Aviva, thank you; this has been my best Christmas to date.”
MacKenzie knew, she just knew in her paranoid state that the family clown was referring to her. Coming to a complete halt, she spun around and fixed him with a devil stare.
“Don’t mess with me, Joshey. I’ll eat you for breakfast, and spit out your marrow-less bones for the twinnies to cry over.”
The snort that came from Jackson’s direction immediately pulled MacKenzie’s attention as she realized what she had just said. “Oh, sorry, Mr. Kingdom. Your sons are extremely lucky they have you as their father. For you, I will retract my previous statement. But I will hurt him,” MacKenzie said, pointing at the still laughing Josh. “If he messes with this pregnant lady.” Widening her eyes, she adopted her most-beguiling look as she turned back to Jackson. “If that’s okay with you?”
Jackson was laughing so hard, his words were a little difficult for MacKenzie to understand. “My dear young lady, I like the way your mind works. Feel free to deal with Joshey, and the twinnies in any way you deem necessary.”
**********
MacKenzie was finally relaxing in a warm bubble bath. For some unknown reason her contractions had stopped. It took a while, but she finally convinced herself that today wasn’t the day her baby wanted to make its appearance. She was sure her baby had aspirations of being born in a nice hospital, surrounded by doctors who had spent countless years perfecting their chosen sector of medicine. With a smile of contentment, MacKenzie closed her eyes and refused to contemplate anything to the contrary.
Chapter 3
Getting MacKenzie into a bath and then into bed was easier than Aviva thought, given her near breakdown.
First thing first. Aviva had to get out of her wedding dress. She was determined to keep it pristine for any walks she decided to take down memory lane. Once that was accomplished, she hurried downstairs to the sitting room.
Why Jackson thought she was the right person to attend to MacKenzie’s needs was completely lost on her. Her emotional state was almost at the same level of anxiety as the expectant mother. All she wanted to do was stand in the middle of the room, grab her hair and scream.
Aviva knew her apprehension of their current situation nowhere equaled that of MacKenzie’s. Therefore, when she rushed through the sitting room door, she was more than a little taken aback by the sight of all the Kingdom men huddled together.
“What’s the plan? I know you big brain men have thought of something; because there is no way I’m delivering MacKenzie’s baby!”
“Don’t worry, Angel. We’ll sort everything out.” Jason said the only member of the Kingdom clan to pay her any attention.
“What have we got? Please tell me we have a plan.” Aviva pleaded.
A few moments later the men broke away from each other. Only then did Jackson’s voice cut into the silence.
“It’s quite simple really; we need to get MacKenzie to a medical facility, so that is what we are going to do. Aviva, you are going to stay with MacKenzie. Hope, and Steve are going to pack. Since they both want to get back to LA as soon as possible, we are going to take two cars; one to the hospital and another will travel to the airport. Given the weather conditions, the drive is going to be treacherous; so I’m sure I don’t have to tell you all to be careful.”
Everyone nodded their silent understanding of their roles, indicating their willingness to play their part.
**********
The drive to the hospital was even more hazardous than Aviva could have ever imagined, but they got there in one piece. After sliding across the road for the umpteenth time, she stopped paying attention to the weather and concentrated on her friend’s wellbeing.
By the time MacKenzie finally gave birth, twelve hours after their arrival at the hospital, Aviva’s nerves were shot.
“Aviva?”