A Humble Heart (Hollywood Hearts 1)

Taking deep slow breaths, she nodded.

“I’m really sorry filming took so long. We were hoping to get this done before you started to show.” He looked down at Dana’s very large stomach and chuckled softly. “I guess the strike and the earthquake kind of slowed us down.”

“Just a little bit,” she said dryly.

“Thirty eight weeks pregnant and you’re still busting your ass,” Eric said, grinning. “You know I owe you one, don’t you?”

“I plan on taking you up on that when I need a babysitter."

His face scrunched up. “Dana sweetie, I’d rather do public access television than change a diaper.”

She laughed. “I’m guessing Janet babied you too much with the kids.”

“Damn straight.” He chuckled. “I wasn’t allowed near the oldest boy until he was ten. She was so afraid I would corrupt him.”

The director walked over. “Thank you, Dana. That was the last time we are going to need you. Just let us get a shot with Edward and the body double then the both of you are completely free.”

“That sounds great.” She nearly groaned with relief. She walked slowly over the terrain trying to avoid rocks and tree roots.

Eric put his arm around her to help steady her. “Have I told you lately that you’re huge? Because you are you know.”

She playfully slapped him. It had as much force as a butterfly’s wing. Eric led her to a chair in the clearing and tried to sit her down, but she didn’t want to.

“I’ll just wait for Edward. He’ll be done in a few minutes.”

“Okay, but I’m staying with you,” Eric said. He watched her nervously as her breathing deepened.

They watched Dana’s body double stand in front of Edward. They were keeping her busy the last month. Dana was just glad they got the sex scenes out of the way. She didn’t like the idea of a double doing that. It would have been annoying to keep trading places.

A deep pain in her stomach made her tense up. The water that flowed down her leg made her wince. “Oh no,” she gasped softly.

“What?” Eric asked.

She bit her lip and turned to look at him. “My water just broke.”

Eric’s eyes shot down to look at the watery mess on the ground. All the color in his face disappeared. He started to look around nervously. Eric was about to yell for help when Dana placed her hand over his mouth to silence him.

She breathed through the pain. “Eric, it took us almost six months to finish this film. We are on the last scene. If you say anything it will be another month before Edward will get back here and if you are the reason why Edward is pulled away from me when I am left alone with two one month old babies screaming and crying I will personally hunt you down and beat you. Do you understand me? Let him finish.”

Eric’s eyes widened and he nodded frantically. She removed her hand. “What do we do?”

She held onto her stomach. “Just let him finish please. Where’s Amy? She needs to call Dr. Downy.”

Eric grabbed a random person walking past them. “Go get Amy Pierce right now, go run!”

The young man nodded and ran away. Dana grabbed the back of a chair and gripped it tightly as a contraction ripped through her body. “Oh god,” she whispered as she doubled over.

“Dana, I think we should tell Edward," Eric said. He took a step towards Edward. Dana’s hand shot out and grabbed his hand firmly.

“Don’t move, Eric. Just stay with me please. I’m begging you to let him finish.”

“O-okay,” Eric said. He shifted his feet anxiously.

Dana started to walk away from the chair. She didn’t want Edward to see her in pain. Eric held onto her as she made her way to their trailer. He had to give her a gentle push to help her up the stairs. She made it to the sofa and sat down, releasing a huge sigh.

Less than a minute later another contraction ripped through her body. “Oh, Eric, I need to lie down, please!”

He put his arm around her and brought her to the floor. He helped her into a sitting position. Eric began to panic, looking around the trailer for help that wasn’t there.

“Just lie me down on the floor please, Eric!” she begged.

He nodded and helped her lie down. He sat behind her so she could lie back against him instead of the hard wall. “Better?” he asked.

“Much better, thank you,” she mumbled between panting. A scream began to escape her lips. She clasped her hand over her mouth to muffle it quickly.

The door to the trailer flew open and several people ran inside. “I’m getting the medics.” Bernice, the sound expert, said. She took off out of the trailer.

Amy came running in with Eleanor and James hot on her heels. Dana forgot they were visiting the set today. James dropped to his knees beside her and took her hand. “Are you okay, sweetie?”

“I’m fine, Dad,” she said through clenched teeth.

“Her water broke,” Eric mumbled.

“Big mouth!” Dana shot back.

“Where’s Edward?” Amy asked.

“Let him finish please. This is the very last scene. I need him to be done,” Dana said, panting.

“I’m calling Dr. Downy.”

Dana nodded and tried to focus on her breathing when another contraction ripped through her. “Uh, Dana, you’re less than a minute apart, sweetheart,” Eric announced.

“Don’t say that!” Dana cried.

“Yes, she’s less than a minute apart…..check what?” Amy asked, looking stunned. She shot a look at Eric. “Is the baby’s head crowning?”

“How the hell would I know?” Eric shot back.

“Well, go look!” Amy snapped.

“I can’t. I’m holding her,” Eric said, glad to be stuck behind Dana. He loved her, but he was sure he would either pass out or vomit if he saw her crowning.

“The medics are here,” James announced.

“The doctor wants you to see if she’s crowning,” Amy said.

The older paramedic nodded. The younger man handed him a sheet. Dana pulled her legs up and spread them while he laid the sheet over her knees to give her privacy. He reached in and moved her panties to the side to get a better look. “Oh boy,” he said.

Dana’s eyes shot open. “What?”

“You’re crowning. Dave, run and grab the OB kit.”

“Better make that two, she’s having twins,” James said.