Fireproof (Book 4 in the No Control Series)

Harry walks in the front door finding Liz hunched over in tears.
“Lizzie, it’s going to be alright, Sweetheart.”
She wraps her arms around his neck as he kneels in front of her. “Thank you for coming, H.”
“Love, you know you don’t have to thank me, I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”
“I hear the ambulance.”
Harry takes her hand. “You and the baby will be fine, Lizzie.”
She nods, believing him.
“Where’s Ella?”
Liz squeezes his hand. “She’s in Italy with Liam. I need you to call him for me. I can’t...not like this…”
“I will, Lizzie. Let’s just wait and see what they say is happening.”
The ambulance arrives, and Harry stands off to the side while they evaluate her.

Liz insists that Harry ride in the ambulance with her. He holds her hand, trying his best to comfort her.
“Harry, can you please try calling Liam now?”
“Of course.” Harry scrolls through his phone, finding Liam’s number. He hesitates...instead choosing another number.
“Hello? Harry?”
Harry looks at Liz, winking. “Paddy, yes it’s Harry.”
Liz mouths thank you.
“Look, Paddy, I need you to talk to Liam. Lizzie is on her way to the hospital, she’s having pains.”
“Crap.”
“I called you because I know Liam will be upset. It’s better he hear it from you in person.”
“You’re right. I’ll book a private plane as well. Tell Liz that I’ll fly back with him. I’ll take care of him, you take care of her.”
“I will. I’ll call back as soon as we know something.”
“Harry, give Liz my love.”
“I will. Bye.”
Fresh tears fall from Liz’s eyes.
“Don’t cry, Lizzie, please. Paddy said he will fly back with Liam, he’ll take care of him.”

As they arrive at the hospital, Liz’s doctor is there, waiting. She’s rushed back into the emergency area. Harry is told he can’t go with her, so he paces in the waiting room.
His phone rings, it’s Paddy’s number, but it isn’t Paddy’s voice that he hears when he answers.
“Where’s Liz? Is she alright? I need to talk to her.”
Harry takes a deep breath, literally feeling the hysteria in Liam’s voice. “Liam, she’s in with the doctor now, we just arrived at the hospital. I’m afraid I don’t know anything yet.”
“Harry…”
“I know, Liam.”
“I can’t lose her, or our baby.”
“You won’t, Liam.”
“Paddy is driving me to the plane right now. I'll be there as soon as I can. Damn it, I knew I shouldn’t have left her.”
“You couldn’t have known this was going to happen.”
“Harry, I need you to take care of her for me. Don’t let anything happen to her...please.”
“Liam, I promise. I’d give my life for hers in a heartbeat.”
“Tell her how much I love her.”`
Harry can hear the breaks in Liam’s voice. “I will. Just get your ass here.”

A short while later, the doctor approaches Harry. “Harry?”
“Yes, is Lizzie alright?”
“We need to run some tests to find out the exact cause of the pain before we proceed. She’d like to see you. We’ve moved her to a room in labor and delivery.”

Harry pauses at the door to Lizzie’s room. He wonders how she can still look so beautiful while going through so much. He continues into the room, sitting on the edge of her bed. She reaches for his hand.
“Any news?” He asks.
“The doctor said he would be back shortly with a game plan.”
“Liam called.”
With a look of concern, Liz asks. “Is he ok?”
Harry squeezes her hand. “He’s on his way here. I’m supposed to relay to you how much he loves you.”
Liz smiles.
“He also asked me to take care of you.”
“Wow, he must really be worried.” Liz teases.
Harry grins.

Harry spends the next hour trying to distract Lizzie. Her pain has been subdued by the medication they’ve given her, but the concern is still evident on her beautiful face.
As the doctor walks in the room, Harry holds his breath.
“Liz, I’ve received the results of the tests we took.” The doctor says. “The surgery that you had, well part of the area that was repaired, has weakened.”
“What does that mean?” Liz asks.
“I believe it’s best for the baby, and for you, if we deliver now.”
Liz shakes her head. “No, Liam isn’t here yet.”
“Liz, I know you want your husband here, however, I also know he’d want you to do what’s best for you and the baby.”
Liz looks down.
Harry speaks up. “Doctor, could Lizzie and I have one minute, please?”
“Of course, but we need to get started.”

“Harry, don’t say it! I can’t do this without Liam.” Liz insists.
Harry sits on the bed, facing her. “Elizabeth Payne, you know bloody well that you are strong and could deliver this baby all by yourself if you had to.” He softens. “Darling, I know you want Liam here. He asked me to take care of you, that means making sure you do what is best for you, and for the baby. Understand?”
Liz wipes at her tears. “I know you’re right, H.”
“Besides, if something happened to you, you’d be breaking two men’s hearts.”
Liz gently lays her hand on his cheek. “I’m lucky to have you both.”

Within a half hour Liz can already feel the contractions beginning from the medication they gave her.
Harry dials the number.
“Harry? Is she alright?”
“Yes, Liam. How far off are you?”
“Paddy says about 30 minutes or so.”
“The doctor says it has something to do with her surgery. Some part they repaired, has weakened now. He says it’s important to deliver the baby as soon as possible.”
“Can I talk to Liz, please?”
Harry hands the phone to her.
“Liam?”
“Hey, Beautiful. I’m trying to get there as fast as I can, but you know what you have to do...right?”
Liz closes her eyes. “I want you here.”
“I want to be there, but…” Liam blows out a breath, trying not to cry. “Love, I can’t lose you or our baby. You have to let Harry help you till I can get there. Ok?”
“I know.”
“I’m excited to meet him or her.”
“Me too, Handsome.”
“I love you, Liz.”
“I love you more, Liam.”
She hands the phone back to Harry, he puts it to his ear.
“Harry? I’m going to say something I never imagined I would. I need you to help my wife deliver our child.”
Harry grins. “I will do my best till you get here.”
“Harry...don’t look anywhere you shouldn’t. I mean it.”
Harry laughs. “What if the doctor tells me to?”
“Harry! Don’t fuck about!”
“Sorry, I’ll be on my best behaviour.” Harry smirks.

“What was that about?’ Liz asks
“Your husband told me not to look anywhere I shouldn’t. He didn’t like it when I asked what if the doctor tells me to.” Harry grins.
Liz blushes and rolls her eyes.
The nurse interrupts them to make last minute preparations. “Mrs. Payne, are you ready?”
“Yes and no.” Liz replies.
The nurse smiles. “I understand. I have a nurse waiting outside, she’ll bring your husband in as soon as he arrives.”
“Thank you.” Liz says.
“Alright Mrs. Payne, is your friend here going to help you during delivery, or are you not that kind of friends?”
Harry speaks up. “We are that kind of friends. Let’s do this, Lizzie.”

Notes