Chapter 278
NOAH.
When Lilly called and asked me to check on Sierra, I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed my keys, got in the car, and drove like a maniac, probably breaking every speed limit on the way.
I didn’t care. All that mattered was getting to her house as fast as possible.
Now I’m here, ringing her doorbell, pounding on the door as panic tightens in my chest with every second she doesn’t answer.
I try peering through the windows, but I can’t see a damn thing.
With my hands shaking, I pull out my phone and dial Lilly. She answers on the first ring.
“Are you sure she’s home?” I ask, forcing my voice to stay steady. “She’s not answering p>
“I’m sure,” she says. “Check under the large limestone in the flower bed under the right-side window. She usually hides a spare key there p>
I step off the porch and lift the stone, letting out a breath of relief when I find the key.
“Found it,” I tell her.
“Good,” she replies. “Let me know when you talk to her p>
She’s trying to hide it, but I hear the panic and anxiety in her voice anyway.
I hang up and unlock the door.
“Sierra?” I call as I step inside, but she doesn’t answer.
I close the door behind me and move deeper into the house, calling her name again and again, but I still get no answer.
I turn into the living room and my heart drops. Sierra’s lying on the couch at an awkward angle, completely still.
I rush to her side, praying she’s just asleep.
“Sierra,” I say, kneeling and gently shaking her, but I get no response.
Cold fear pools in my gut as I try again and she still doesn’t stir.
“Fuck,” I mutter, already pulling out my phone. The call connects immediately.
“Hello, Mr. Wood p>
“I need you to check on a pregnant woman,” I say urgently, pressing my fingers to her forehead, searching for any sign of fever. “I’m sending you the address now p>
“I’ll be there p>
I hang up, pin the location, before shoving my phone back into my pocket.
I call her name again, softly this time, but receive no answer. Careful not to hurt her, I lift her into my arms. I move down the hallway and, guessing, push open the first door.
The curtains are still drawn, but there’s enough light filtering in for me to see where I’m going. I gently lay her on the bed, then switch on the light.
That’s when I spot Blackie stretched out near the pillows. She gives me a lazy look, then closes her yes and goes back to sleep.
I head back to the living room, grab her phone from the floor where I saw it earlier, pour her a glass of water, then return to the bedroom.
I sit on the edge of the bed and watch her.
Sierra has always been effortlessly beautiful. I don’t think I ever told her that when things were easy between us, and seeing her like this pulls me back to a time when I thought she would be mine.
I used to love watching her sleep and one of my favorite things to do was tracing my fingers along her skin. It grounded me. Reminded me we were building something real.
Slowly without thinking, I brush a finger down her cheek, struck by how soft her skin still is after all these years, and again, without thinking, my hand drifts to her belly, resting there gently.
I won’t pretend I haven’t thought about her and the baby. It’s hard not to especially when all the twins talk about is Sierra and the baby.
This is the first time I’ve touched her like this. The first time I’ve allowed myself to even feel anything for this baby and feeling the slight curve beneath my palm, knowing there’s a life there that’s part her, part me, fills me with something I’m not ready to name.
Her phone chimes on the bedside table. I assume it’s Lilly, but when I glance at the screen, it isn’t, so I set it back down.
Just as I do, she lets out a soft groan.
I lean closer. “Sierra p>
Another groan, and then her eyes flutter open.
She stares at the ceiling at first, disoriented. Then her gaze shifts to me, surprise flickering across her face.
“Noah?” she murmurs, her brows pulling together. “Damn. I must be hallucinating p>
“You’re not,” I say quietly, offering a small smile. “How are you feeling p>
She tries to sit up, wobbling slightly, and I move in to help. Once she’s settled against the headboard, I step back, giving her space.