This Game Called Life (Kingdom Book 4) Read Free

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?”
    “Hmm?”
    “Thank you for
being such a good friend. I don’t know if I could have done this alone.”
Leaning over, MacKenzie gave Aviva, who sat beside her on the bed, a kiss on
the cheek. Then they looked at each other and smiled.
    A knock on the
door pulled their