With everything I’d put Angel through I’d be damned if I wasn’t going to make it to her side while she gave birth to our son. It was bad enough that it was more than likely my fault that she went into early labor in the first place.
Then it dawned on me. With Stevens down, did anyone get the message to Angel and Inessa that I was safe? Fuck! They must have been going out of their minds with worry. I prayed that Angel and our son were safe.
“Can’t you drive any faster, Bruce?”
“This isn’t the Batmobile, Max. I’m going as fast as I can.”
It felt like a lifetime before we stopped in front of the hospital entrance. I leaped out of the car and left Bruce to park. A receptionist stopped me at the entrance and asked if I knew where I was going. My panic-stricken face must have been a dead giveaway.
“Maternity ward?” I asked impatiently.
“It’s on the fourth floor, Sir. Turn left when you get off the elevator.”
“Thanks,” I called and ran for the elevator.
My patients were at an end by the time I reached the fourth floor.
“Excuse me. I’m looking for Angelica Harris,” I said to the first nurse I found.
“Is she in labor?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s her doctor?”
“Uhm, Doctor Turner.”
“Okay, I’ll find out for you.”
“Thank you.”
The nurse went to the counter and spoke to someone. Then, she came back to me.
“Is Angelica Harris your wife?”
“We’re not married. Not yet anyway. She’s in labor with our son. Please. Where is she? Is she okay?”
“Follow me. I’ll take you to her.”
“Where is she?”
“They’re prepping her for the OR.”
“The OR! Why? What’s wrong?”
“Doctor Turner is with her, Sir. She’ll explain.”
The nurse headed off in a direction and I followed behind. I felt sick. Why was Angel going in for surgery?
I heard Angel’s voice as we passed by a closed door. I didn’t wait for the nurse–I rushed into the room.
“Angel! I’m here.”
“Max! Thank God. You’re just in time.”
Angel looked tired. Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes were puffy and red.
“What’s wrong, my love? Is the baby, okay?”