Page 67 of Dante
"I'm sorry." She grabbed his jacket and took a deep breath. "I think the baby is coming."
"What?" Scooping her into his arms, he started for the door.
"Should I call the ambulance?"
"No time," he told his assistant tightly. "It's quicker if I get one of the drivers to take us. Call St. Joseph's and have them page Dr. Sutherland and tell her we're on our way. And have John meet us out front with the car."
Without waiting to see if his orders were being obeyed, he practically ran towards the elevator and shoved at the button.
"I'm sorry."
His expression softened as he stared down into her face. Her expression was drawn, her mouth tight.
"I'll argue with you after our daughter is born."
People turned to gape as the CEO of the company rushed towards the glass doors with his wife in his arms. The driver was already waiting and had the engine running.
"St. Joseph's. Now."
Slamming the door shut as soon as they entered, the driver dove into the driver's seat and gunned the engine.
"Okay?" He still had her on his lap, hands massaging the small of her back.
"Yes. Just a little frightened. I guess she could not wait. My go bag."
"I will have Ms. Carstairs send someone by the house to pick it up." Kissing her on the lips, he lifted his head when he noticed they weren't moving. Pressing the button, he slid the glass down. "What's the problem?"
"Accident on I-20 sir," John reported.
"Can we turn around?"
"No, I'm afraid not."
Dante felt when she stiffened and made a split decision. Tugging out his phone, he called Caleb. "Your sister is in labor, and we're stuck on the I-20," he explained tersely. "Terrible accident involving a trailer and several cars."
"Do something."
"I'll be right there. Hang tight."
"I'm fine." She tried to sound brave, but just then, the pain came again. "I'm sorry." She breathed it out and buried her face on his chest.
"Soon, baby." His face was white with strain as he wondered desperately if he was going to deliver the baby in the vehicle. Thankfully, he heard the sounds of siren and felt relief pouring through his body. "Thank God."
The police screeched to a halt and Caleb hopped out and came to the window.
"Hey sis, how's it going?"
"Not great. Your niece is coming."
"Impatient little twerp. Okay." He glanced at Dante and shook his head at the look of abject fear on the man's face. This was a man who had conquered poverty and risen to the top of the financial ladder, a man whom the paper had classified as ruthless and unstoppable. He wondered what they would say if they saw him now. "We've cleared a path for you and will be giving you support all the way to the hospital." Turning away from the window, he shouted. "Let's move on out!"
"She's absolutely gorgeous." An exhausted Courtney remarked four hours later as she stared at her daughter.
"You would not believe the trouble she caused earlier, just by looking at her." Her brother touched his finger to the tightlyclenched fingers as his niece stared up at him with eyes too big for her tiny face. "And thank God, she's the spitting image of you." He touched the cheek in wonder. "Where's the proud daddy?"
"He had to go out and take a call. I thought it was too early, and something would happen to her. Something would be missing. Oh Caleb, I'm so happy, I just want to dance a jig."
"You did great honey. Ah, here comes your husband." He grinned as Dante stepped into the room and reached for the baby.
