2 Unhitched by E.L. Sarnoff Read Free Book Online Page B

goodness, I know the way to Dr. Grimm’s house, having been there for fertility treatments so many times over the last six months. I won’t be needing those anymore.
    At last, I arrive at Grimm’s storybook cottage. There’s not another one like it in all of Lalaland. Constructed of stone and stucco, it is an eye-catching feast of diamond-paned windows, stained glass, chimney pots, turrets, and a whimsical wavy slate roof. I park the coach outside the wrought iron gate and jump out. I unlatch the gate and pass through the fragrant garden. Cute little baby animal statuaries, illuminated by the moonlight, line the pathway.
    Bypassing the hanging doorbell, I knock loudly on the thick wooden door. Almost immediately, a little white-bearded man appears. He’s clad in a long white nightshirt and matching nightcap and holding a candle. It’s Dr. Grimm.
    “Jane, what can I do for you at this wee hour? You should be home making a baby with your dear husband.”
    His comment makes my stomach churn. I take a deep breath.
    “It’s Cinderella! She’s having her baby!”
    “Wonderful! Another fairy tale is about to be born!” chuckles the good doctor.
    This is no laughing matter. But there is no time to chastise him. Nor to address his comment about making love with Gallant. That’s never going to happen again!
    Dr. Grimm dashes back inside and quickly reappears with his medicine bag in hand. Yes, another fairy tale is about to be born, and I’m driving the delivery coach.

    An earth-shattering scream emanating from inside the castle awaits us. Followed by another and another, each one more piercing than the one before. I recognize them. They’re the screams of a woman in labor. I know. I’ve been there.
    Dr. Grimm races inside, carrying his medicine bag, with me right behind him. My stomach tightens. I am not looking forward to this. Not at all!
    Cinderella is now lying on the dining room floor, shrieking. Charming, drenched with sweat and as white as a ghost, is holding her hand, trying to comfort her. Gallant, by his brother’s side, faces me, his expression, a combination of fear and relief. I avoid his gaze and rush over to Cinderella, crouching down beside her. A sick thought permeates my brain. HA! Miss Perfect Princess doesn’t look so perfect. In fact, she looks frightful. Her hair is as disheveled as a wind-blown haystack, and her contorted face is bathed in sweat and tears.
    Dr. Grimm remains as calm as a cucumber.
    “Put me out of my misery!” moans Cinderella. “I want to die!”
    “Don’t say that!” I dab the sweat on her forehead with the skirt of my gown. “You’re having a baby! You have everything to live for!”
    The memory of my tragic miscarriage flickers in my head. Shuddering inwardly, I try hard to suppress it.
    Another contraction. Cinderella winces. “Jane, I’m scared,” she whimpers.
    Despite my loathing of her and all that’s happened to me this day, I feel her pain, her fear. Please let her get through this! And the baby too!
    “Cinderella, my dear, focus on something calming and breathe,” says Grimm, his voice soothing.
    Cinderella stares at him with her wretched eyes as if he’s said something in a foreign language. She shrieks again and squeezes my hand. So tightly that I, too, want to scream out in pain.
    What can she look at? Clearly, not her husband Charming who still looks like he’s about to pass out. Or Gallant who’s not in much better shape. When this is all over, I’m going to confront him. There’s no way I’m going to pretend that I don’t know what’s going on. Another sharp cry from Cinderella brings me back into the moment. The contractions are coming faster and faster, each one more agonizing than the one before. Dr. Grimm is right; she needs something calming. In the corner of my eye, I see the tranquil painting of Calla in my arms. Yes, that’s it!
    “Cinderella, look up at the painting!” I urge. “Look how beautiful it is and how much I love