“Isaac.”

“Yeah, Ky?”

"Just walking. Doesn't require a pep talk yet. Just breathe and take the bag. He'll have Pella bring the kids when they reach the hospital."

"Right. Yeah. That's what he was going to say."

"Uh-huh." He stretches where he's standing, and he looks up at him. "Thank you."

"For?"

"For trying to keep it together. Because freaking out will only freak him out worse."

He exhales and rubs his face with a hand. "Indicated, but reserving for later the right to really freak out."

Another contraction sweeps over him, and he breathes in the pain, mouth-breathing with a harsh hiss. The knowledge that this is real, this...