“There’s more,” Eric said. He watched her brace herself and wished he had the right to hold her right now. “They took Gemma in for an emergency C-section last night. It’s why Mike was on the slippery roads.”
Her voice was so soft he almost didn’t hear her. “How is she?”
“She had a seizure, and they kicked Travis out of the room. That’s all he said—”
Gracie stepped off the curb and ran, dragging her case behind her. Eric jogged after her, knowing she was freaking out and nothing he could say would make it better.
They drove to the hospital in silence, and when they finally got to the maternity wing, they were racing through the hallways until they came to a halt at the reception desk.
“Excuse me, but can you tell me if Gemma Bowers is all right?” Gracie asked.
The blonde nurse with the sunny smile asked sweetly, “Are you family?”
“She’s my best friend. We just got off the plane and had a message that she’d had a seizure, and I just want to know—
The nurse cut her off with a sympathetic smile and a shake of her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t give out patient information. Let me see if I can get ahold of a family member, and they can come out and update you.”
Eric could sense Gracie was about to explode and stepped forward. “We appreciate it.”
“Go ahead and have a seat.”
Several moments ticked by, and Eric leaned over to whisper, “I know you’re pissed at me right now, but if you need me to hold your hand—”
“I don’t.”
“Fair enough.”
Travis came around the corner, and Gracie leapt to her feet. “Is she okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine now. The doctors have her on a magnesium drip. She had eclampsia, but they said she’d be better now that the babies are out and she—ow! Why did you hit me?”
Eric covered a smile with his hand, and Gracie wound up and smacked Travis on his arm again with a loud whack. “You do not leave a message that she had a seizure and then not give us an update! Do you have any idea how scared I was?”
“I left a second message on your phone, but I’ve been a little busy,” Travis said.
Gracie threw herself against Travis and broke into sobs. “I’m so glad she’s okay. Are the babies healthy?”
Travis looked up at Eric, who shrugged, conveying without words that he didn’t get the roller coaster of emotions either.
“Yeah, the girls are fine. They are in the NICU for observation.”
Eric watched Gracie pull away, wiping at her eyes. “Can I see Gemma first?”
“Sure, I’ll take you back. Eric—”
He stood up, and held his hand out to Travis. “It’s okay. I’m glad she’s all right, but I’ve got to get home. My parents have been watching my dog, and I don’t want to know how bad Grant screwed up while I was gone.”
Travis gave him a one armed hug. “Thanks for bringing her.”
“Yeah, sure. See you later, Gracie,” Eric said pointedly.
She nodded and turned on her heel, disappearing down the hall.
Travis raised one eyebrow. “Fun trip?”
“Oh yeah. Time of my life,” Eric said.
“Travis!” Gracie called from out of sight.