“Oh, boy.”
Oh boy? “What?” She pulled out her cell phone not knowing what the heck to do. So she did the only thing she could think of and sent Roger a text.
WITH LENA. SHE’S IN LABOR. WHAT DO I DO?
Instead of texting her back Roger called. “Where are you?”
Not wanting Lena to know she was panicking, she tried to play it cool. “Hi Roger. I’m out with Lena. We’re by the wharf and heading back to Henderson Towers.”
“But she’s in labor, right?” he asked.
“That’s right. Not sure what you’d like me to do about that,” Gia said while watching Lena.
“I’m updating Brice. You get her to a hospital.”
“Tried that.”
“Damn it. I’ll call you right back.” Roger ended the call.
“What . . . what . . . did . . . he want?” Lena asked between breaths.
“Checking how my day is going.”
“Did you . . . tell him . . . uneventful?” Lena teased.
“Really? You can joke when you’re about to deliver a baby in the back of a limo?” Gia hoped that wasn’t the case.
“Just think how it will look on your résumé.”
Just then Gia’s phone rang as well as Lena’s. There was no question by the barking she heard on Lena’s that it was Brice. He was stressing he was on the way to the hospital and she better be too.
“I’ll meet you there,” Roger said.
“You’re in Boston?” Gia asked.
“Yes,” Roger replied.
Lena said, “Change of plans. We’re going to the hospital.”
Thank God.“Roger, if you’re free, I can use a ride.”
“I’m on my way,” Roger said and ended the call.
I just hope we make it.The limo driver also must’ve been given instructions as he was beeping his horn and weaving through traffic. Boston was always busy, and today was no exception. Lena had a few more contractions, heavy if the moans were any indication. Nothing was sweeter than the limo pulling in front of the hospital and Brice waiting with a wheelchair.
The limo might not have even been put in park when Brice opened the door and asked, “How far along are the contractions?”
Lena wasn’t in any position to answer, as another one had come. Gia took her best guess. “Less than two minutes. We didn’t even make it through two lights on the last one.”
Brice leaned over and scooped Lena up in to his arms then into the chair. “Okay, let’s go have this baby.”
Gia stood on the sidewalk as Brice pushed the wheelchair into the building. The driver approached her and asked, “Miss, is there someplace I can take you?”
She looked around and didn’t see Roger. It was a shame to make him leave whatever he was doing when she easily could utilize the vehicle that was already at her disposal. Yet this wasn’t about convenience. Gia was tired of talking through technology. She wanted to see his face. Maybe get a hug, because God knows I need one.
“Thank you but a . . . friend is meeting me here.”
The limo driver nodded and drove away. As she waited, she realized her feet were killing her. She’d been dressed for an interview, not a walk on the wharf or standing in front of a hospital. Although tempted to go inside, she didn’t want Roger to have to go looking for her. She’d give him a few more minutes, then call and check his status.