Page 116 of The Forsaken
“Thank you, Ms. Daniels,” Gabe said as he reached for Emma, who practically jumped into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck.
“I thought you left me,” Emma sobbed.
“Left you? Why would I leave you? I only went to check on Quinn—eh, Mum.”
“Where is she?”
“They took her into another room where they will take the baby out of her belly.” Gabe thought that was the least-involved explanation. He didn’t want to frighten Emma any more than she already was with words like ‘surgery’ and ‘operating theater.’
“Will it be alive? Will Quinn? I don’t want to lose her,” Emma cried.
Gabe nodded thanks to Ms. Daniels, who was turning to leave. There was nothing more she could do since it was clear that Emma had the support she needed.
“Ask the nurses to page me if you have need of me,” she said and walked away.
Gabe sat down in one of the plastic chairs and settled Emma on his lap. She looked like a human burrito, wrapped in her beige blanket. “Em, I know you’re worried. I’m worried too, but Dr. Young said that everything will be all right, and we have to believe her. She’s the expert in these matters. So, how about we find you a place to lay your head?”
Emma nodded miserably. “I’m tired, Daddy.”
“I know, sweetheart. It’s well past your bedtime. How about I give Logan a ring? Maybe he’s on shift tonight. Shall I do that?”
“Yes. I like Logan.” Emma’s eyelids were beginning to flutter as she leaned against Gabe. “I’ll be nice to the baby. I promise,” Emma muttered as she fell into a deep sleep. Gabe rang Logan.
“I’ll be there in two. Just sit tight. Gabe, it will be all right. Dr. Young is one of the best.”
“I feel so helpless,” Gabe confessed. “Poor Emma is terrified.”
“Gabe, countless C-sections are performed at the London every single day. Fatalities are very, very rare. Quinn will be out of surgery before you know it.”
“How long does it take to do a C-section?” Gabe asked. He should have asked Dr. Young, but he had been too overcome with emotion to think of practical matters.
“The procedure itself lasts only a few minutes. I bet it’s already done. Quinn is probably on her way to the recovery area.”
“I could use a bit of support, to be honest,” Gabe confessed. He knew Logan was telling him the absolute truth, but having lost his father so recently, after being told that Graeme was on the mend, left Gabe feeling a bit weepy and overwrought.
“And I’m here to support you,” Logan said as he materialized in front of Gabe, mobile still in his hand. “Come, there’s a nurse’s lounge just down the corridor. Emma can sleep on the sofa. It’s quiet and dark. Just what she needs right now. You look like you could use a kip yourself.”
“I can’t sleep.”
“Have you ever meditated?” Logan asked as he led Gabe into the lounge. Thankfully, it was unoccupied.
“No. Not really my thing.”
“I’ll show you how. It’s wonderful during times of stress. Colin got me into it. You game?”
“I think a horse-dose of tranquilizer would be more effective,” Gabe quipped.
“It certainly would, but I’m not at liberty to dispense tranquilizers to friends and family. I can, however, offer you the next best thing.”
“What would that be?”
“Tea. There’s a kettle in here, and we even have fresh milk. Would you like a cup?”
“Please.”
Logan busied himself with making tea while Gabe tucked the blanket around Emma to keep her warm. She was curled up like a shrimp, muttering in her sleep, her hand searching for Mr. Rabbit.
Logan set a mug of hot, sweet tea in front of Gabe and pulled out his mobile. “Nancy, love, can you text me as soon as Quinn Russell is in recovery? Thanks ever so much. In your debt.”
