The movie had almost finished when Hazel felt the first sharp cramp twist through her lower back.For a second, she thought it was only another awkward stretch of pregnancy discomfort, the kind that came and went without warning these last weeks. She shifted against the cushions on the wide living room sofa and tried to breathe through it while the soft glow from the television washed over the villa. Xavier sat beside her with one arm stretched along the back of the couch, his attention half on the screen and half on her, as it had been for most of the night.Then a second pain hit. Harder.Hazel’s hand went to her stomach. Xavier noticed instantly.“Hazel?” His voice sharpened with concern. “What is it?”She opened her mouth to answer, but before the words could come out, a warm rush spilled beneath her. Her eyes widened. She looked down, then up at him in disbelief.Xavier saw her face change and stood so fast he nearly knocked his glass to the floor.“Xavier,” she said, already bre
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