Page 78 of Dion

"I think-"Taking a deep breath, she tried again. "I think I’m inlabor."

"Whaat?"

"Please don'tpanic."

"It's too latefor that." He acknowledged grimly. Removing the tray, hedeposited it on the table and reached for his phone. "How bad?"

"Just-" Sheclosed her eyes. "Something’s not right." She presseddown on her stomach.

"What do youmean?" He demanded, reaching for his phone. He called the doctorfirst who told them to meet her at Mercy General and then his motherand then he called for his car.

“I can walk.”She muttered when he reached down to lift her into his arms.

“I’m nottaking your word for it." He told her grimly as he strode out ofthe room. The shoppers along with the reporters were treated to thevery romantic view of Dion Horton with his pregnant wife in his armsas he strode through the store, ignoring the questions being thrownat him.

"We should callan ambulance."

"No need forthat." They’d made it to his vehicle. As soon as they werebuckled in, he instructed the driver to be on his way.

"Any more pain?"

She shook her head,her hand reaching for his. "I need my bag."

"I sent someoneto get it."

He was watching herclosely. She didn’t seem to be in distress, but he wasn’ttaking any chances. The hospital was a few blocks away and they wereseveral thousand miles from home, but they’d come prepared.

They’d arrivedin New York two weeks ago and the pace had been frenetic, with hisdetermined wife insisting on being part of the finishing touches ofthe store. He should have insisted she stayed home, but she wouldn’thave listened and he hadn’t wanted to do this without her byhis side.

"We’rehere, darling."

"Good." Sheclung to his fingers as she felt the stiffening again.

"They’rebringing out a gurney. It's a good thing Dr. Mitchell decided to cometo New York to make sure you’re okay."

"My bloodpressure was a little too high and I could tell she was a littleconcerned."

"You shouldn’thave traveled this close to your due date." He was worrying thathe’d made the wrong choice taking her with him.

"It’ll befine." She was being wheeled into the hospital with him hurryingto keep up the pace. Dr. Mitchell met them in the long hallway, areassuring smile on her face. "Let's get you into theexamination room."

"Shouldn't shebe going into the delivery room?" Dion asked anxiously.

"We have to findout what's going on first." She glanced up at him. "A nursewill show you where to suit up."

*****

Dion came out of theroom several hours later to get a breather and to update the smallgroup of people in the waiting room, which included his mother, hersister and Dad who was looking better each week. "The baby isbreech." He said abruptly, moving over to the table where a potof coffee and glasses of water had been provided for the family.

"They’retrying to correct that. If not, they’re going to give her aC-section. She’s in a lot of discomfort and I can see it eventhough she’s trying to be brave and hide it from me."Ignoring the pot of coffee, he decided on water.

He was tired and sickwith worry about his wife's condition.

"She’ll befine."

He looked over atLydia who was hovering at her Dad's side, her hands clasped in frontof her. He’d sent the jet for them and they’d comestraight to the hospital from the hangar.

"My sister isthe strongest woman I know."

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