Chapter 136

Randy showed up right on time to deliver Emily's dinner. She'd gone for a sandwich and soup from Panera. He was nice enough to pick up a few of her favorite bagels while he was there. He let himself in using the key he'd picked up from Leighanne.

As he walked in, he looked around. Everything looked pretty much the same as it had the last time he'd been there except that there was brand new baby stuff here and there.

He knocked gently on her bedroom door and walked in. “Dinner is served!”

“Hey! Great, I was just starting to get hungry. Thank you so much for doing this for me! It was either that or cold pizza.”

“No problem! If I didn't come over here I was going to have to go help Leighanne and Brian in, what did you call it, Turkey Hell?”

Emily laughed. “Yes. She's called me six times today. If I were you I would do all I could to stay away! Is Mandy going over later after her school thing?”

“Yeah. She promised Leighanne she could come over and help get everything ready.”

Randy sat in the chair by her bed and unpacked their dinner. They watched a re-run of The Office while they ate. Emily finished her food with lightening speed and sat back against her mountain of pillows.

“Are they awake?” Randy asked, noticing her wince and rub her stomach a few times.

“Yes, they most certainly are! Want to feel?”

“Sure!” he said. Emily placed his hand on her stomach. “This ons is Baby A. The troublemaker. And this one over here,” she said moving his hand, “is Baby B. The slightly more calm one.”

Randy smiled as he felt the babies moving around. “Wow! They're strong!”

“Tell me about it! I think they're getting cranky from being so cramped up.”

“I just can't believe it.” he said, shaking his head. “After everything you've been through, just look at you!”

Emily smiled. “I know it! AJ and I have been through a lot of hard times. I'm sure a lot of people are surprised we've made it this far!”

“I'm happy for you.” he said.

“I'm happy for you too! I'm so glad Amanda was able to come around.”

“Your advice was right, in the end. But for awhile I was really starting to rethink just sitting back and waiting for her.”

“Of course my advice was right! And I would have kicked her butt if she didn't figure it out soon enough. I really want to see you two happy together.”

“So this is a little weird, huh?” he said.

“What is?”

“You and I hanging out together in your room. Does AJ know I'm here?”

“Yes. And don't start on him.”

“I wasn't going to!”

“Yes you were! You were going to make some comment about him leaving me. But he didn't want to go and he really had no choice. Plus I told him to.”

Randy smiled. “Ok so you do know me well enough. But I bet he's not thrilled that you got stuck with me bringing your dinner.”

Emily shrugged. “Maybe not. He'll come around on you eventually.”

“Well, you know I'll always be on your side but really, I don't see he and I becoming friends any time soon.”

“Funny how the one thing making you hate each other is the one thing you have in common.” Emily commented.

“What's that?”

“Me! I'm the reason you two don't like each other. He stole me away from you and you always see him as the bad guy who's never taken good enough care of me. Granted at times you may have been right, but in the whole picture, he's been a wonderful husband to me. And he sees you as the guy who tried to steal me away from him when he was down and it makes him nervous how much you care.”

He shook his head. “Isn't it weird for you to talk to me knowing he doesn't like it?”

“Not really. I mean I wish that you two could work it out but if this is the way it has to be, so be it. Now let's talk about you and Amanda some more. When are you going to propose?”

Randy smiled. “I was thinking Valentine's Day. What do you think? I mean the timing would be good but...is it too cliché?”

“I think it would be really romantic, but I also think you'd have less of a chance of surprising her. I'll have to think about it. Luckily, you've got time to figure it out! And I've got loads of time sitting around in bed to help you think!”

“Won't be too much longer and you'll have no time to think!”

“Please don't remind me.” Emily said.

“Why? Are you getting nervous?” he asked, concerned.

“Wouldn't you be?”

“Yeah, probably. I guess I just always thought you'd never be scared of motherhood.”

“I never thought I would either until I realized I'm having twins. That's what is scaring me the most. Twice the crying, twice the diapers, twice the spit-ups...”

“Twice the smiles, twice the laughs, twice the love!” he said.

“Yeah, yeah. I just want them to be healthy, in the end.”

“Are you worried something will happen again?”

“Well, I mean I understand the reality of what happened to Payton was a fluke, but I'm still a little nervous.”

“Have you talked to AJ about it?”

“A little. I think it's just hard for him to get, you know? Since he's never been through anything like that.”

Randy nodded and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I know it's scary after everything you've been through but like you said, it was a fluke, and these babies are likely to be just fine! And if by some odd chance something does happen, you've got a super great pediatrician friend who will move hell and high waters to help.”

“Thanks, Randy.” she said. After a moment, she sighed and said, “Have you ever wondered about the baby I lost? Whether or not it was yours and what would have happened?”

“Honestly, every time I see you I wonder about that. So much could have changed. I could have been a father, who knows if your marriage would have survived it. Amanda and I would probably never be together.”

“Which would have left you and I.” Emily finished what he didn't want to say. “I wonder if that's a big part of AJ's deal with you. He probably realized all those things too. How close we came to not making it over that.”

“Well it certainly wasn't the best decision we ever made.” he said. “And I hate to say that the miscarriage was for the best because it was still a baby but....”

“I know. I've wrestled with that one a lot too. I felt so guilty that a part of me was relieved. But sometimes I really wish I would have known who's it was. Just to know, you know? But then I realize how much uglier it could have been if I had known and that makes me grateful I never knew. And for what it's worth, I never blamed you for anything. I never felt like you took advantage of me. If anything I took advantage of you. And I don't know if I ever even thanked you for all your support during that time.”

“You don't need to thank me.” he muttered.

Emily wiped her eyes. “I'm so sorry! I don't know why I got on that topic. Hormones I guess. Can we talk about Margie and her gossip for awhile?”

Randy laughed and caught Emily up on all the latest office drama. When he could tell she was starting to get tired, he helped her rearrange her mountain of pillows and tucked her in for the night.

“Oh can you feed the dogs and the cat for me?” she said as he was leaving. “Their food and bowls are in the laundry room. They'll bug me all night if they don't have anything to eat.”

“Sure. Need anything else?”

“Nope, all set. Thanks again for dinner!”

“Anytime.” he said. “Goodnight!”

As he poured the dog food, Daisy came in and growled at him. Randy was sure that AJ had trained his dogs by showing them his picture so that if he ever came over they would attack him. He gave them a little extra food just in case and quickly left the house, locking the door behind him. He wasn't sure what to make of his visit with Emily. They talked about a lot of things that they'd never really had closure from before. He knew that if AJ or Amanda had been there they never would have talked about some of those things, but he also felt there were things that just needed to be spoken between them. He was glad he had remained friends with Emily. She always got him in a way that very few people did. He had a feeling that was also why AJ loved her so much. She just got people. Lucky for him, Amanda got him as well and he got to go home to her that night instead of home to an empty house. And he also realized that had it not been for him dating Emily, he never would have met Amanda in the first place. Maybe things really do happen for a reason after all.

AJ called Emily right after Randy left.

“Hey babe.” she said, sleepily.

“Were you sleeping?”

“No, just about to.”

“Oh good. The show is about to start, I just thought I'd call and check on you.”

“Everything is fine. No contractions, feeling ok. Leighanne keeps calling me under the guise of checking in on me but really she's calling because she's freaking out about Thanksgiving still. She's so dramatic! Plus all her talk about her menu is making me kind of depressed that I'm missing it.”

“Well, maybe if I get home in time we could go over!” he suggested. “I mean you aren't technically on bed rest anymore, so you'd be allowed out.”

“Yeah, that might actually be kind of nice!” Emily said. “How's your day been?”

“Ok. The execs must know how royally pissed off I am at them because they've been kissing my ass all day. But I'm still pissed at them so I'm not really in the mood to be nice to them yet.”

Emily laughed. “How's the crowd?”

“Pretty huge, actually! It's kind of exciting.”

“I miss you.”

“I miss you too. Did you get your dinner?”

“Yes. And don't worry, Randy was well behaved. He just left a little bit ago.”

“Good. Did you have a good time?” he asked.

“Yep. Nice to have someone different to talk to every once in awhile. Oh...I heard Daisy growl at him when he fed her. Did you put her up to that?”

AJ laughed. “No. Daisy and I just share a special bond. Actually I've just noticed that Daisy has become very protective of you lately. She usually sleeps right outside our bedroom door at night and I've noticed that she tends to follow you around.”

“Yeah, I guess she does! That's kind of cute!”

“Alright babe, I have to go. I'm giving my phone to my body guard, Vince. I made him swear to answer it if you call in case you need me while I'm on stage or something.”

Emily laughed. “Alright. Have fun!”

Emily fell asleep pretty soon after talking to him. She woke up about four hours later to pee, surprised she had managed to sleep that long. When she got back into bed she saw that he'd sent her a text about an hour ago saying the show was over and that he was surprisingly tired so he was going to stay in a hotel there after all and try and get up really early to drive home.

Knowing he'd still be awake, she called him.

“Are you ok?” he said when he picked up.

She chuckled. “Yeah, just got up to pee and saw your message.”

“Oh, good. I just got up to my room. You called just in time, I was about to take a shower.”

“Mmmm...” Emily said, picturing him in the shower.

“Soon enough, Emily. Soon enough.” he said, knowing exactly what she was thinking about.

“So the show went well?” she said, trying to shake the very sexy image from her head.

“The show went great. I actually had a lot of fun.”

“Do you miss being out there more?”

“Maybe a little.” he admitted. “But I would much rather be with you and my babies.”

“Ok. I'm seriously about to fall asleep so I'll let you go.” she said. “Drive safe tomorrow.”

“I will, I promise!”

Emily was asleep almost as soon as she hung up.

Chapter 137

Emily woke up at six the next morning feeling a little strange. She had that feeling that something had woken her up, she just wasn't sure what it had been. She got up to pee and on her way back to bed, she figured out what it was. She was in the doorway of her bathroom when a contraction hit her. She gripped the door frame with one hand and put another hand on her stomach. She had a bad feeling. It was much stronger than any of the contractions she'd had and her stomach had definitely gotten rock hard when it happened.

She waited until it had let up before quickly getting back in bed, hoping it was just a fluke. Unfortunately, twelve minutes later, she had another one. She rolled over onto her side and waited. Her next one wasn't for twenty minutes which helped her relax a little. She was debating on whether or not to call AJ. He'd be on his way soon enough anyway and she didn't want him to panic and drive like a maniac to get home.

On the other hand, she kind of wanted him to drive like a maniac to get home sooner.

She decided to call him.

“Good morning!” he greeted her.

“Please tell me you're on your way.” she said, trying to sound calm.

“I left ten minutes ago, why?”

“It's nothing major. Yet. I just started having some pretty good contractions.”

AJ swore under his breath. Emily was sure she could hear him accelerating over the phone. “How far apart are they?”

“They're not very consistent. Anywhere from eight to twenty minutes and I've only had a few so it might not even be anything. I just wanted to make sure you were on your way just in case.”

“Ok. I will get home as soon as I can, ok?” he said, sounding as if he were about to panic. “Do you want me to call Leighanne?” he asked.

Emily didn't answer. She was in the middle of another contraction and this one was pretty intense.”

“Em? Are you ok?” he asked.

“Mmm-hmm.” she said, through clenched teeth.

“Are you remembering to breathe?” he asked. “Remember how we practiced in your birth class?”

“Mmm-hmm.....” she said. After another ten seconds she was able to speak. “That one was at five minutes.”

“Are you ok?”

“For now.” she said, sounding a little shaky. “I'm going to try and stay in bed and see how things go. Do you have your blue tooth on?”

“Yes. I have two hands on the steering wheel, I promise.” he said.

“Can we just leave the phone call going even if we aren't talking? I'd just feel better having you there. I'm going to try and rest though, ok?”

“Alright babe. Hey is it raining there yet?”

Emily looked out their window. “Yeah, actually it is. Pretty hard. Very gloomy looking even for dawn.”

“I'm kind of excited...our babies could be coming today! On Thanksgiving!” he said.

Emily smiled. “Yeah. I actually kind of can't believe it.”

Even though they weren't speaking, with the volume on his ear piece turned all the way up, he was actually able to tell when she had a contraction by the way she was breathing. They seemed to be settling in a pattern of every twelve to fourteen minutes and judging by her breathing, their intensity was picking up. He was thankful that the roads were fairly empty because of the holiday. Everyone had done their traveling the day before leaving plenty of open road for him to speed on.

He heard her rustling over the phone. “You ok?” he asked.

“Yeah, I'm getting out of bed to try sitting up in the chair. I think this is for real, these contractions are starting to hurt like a bitch.”

AJ looked at the clock. He'd been on call with her already for over an hour. “I'm so sorry baby. I'm about halfway there. Maybe you should call your doctor and Leighanne.”

“Yeah, I think you might be right.” Emily agreed. “I'll call you back after I talk to the doctor.”

Emily called her doctor's after hours line and left a message with her service. They told her she would call back within fifteen minutes. She decided to call Leighanne while she waited. She was torn. She didn't really feel much like being alone but she wasn't sure she wanted Leighanne fussing over her either. The person she really wanted was AJ.

“Emily? It's awfully early is everything ok?” Leighanne answered.

“Umm...kind of. I'm pretty sure I'm in labor.”

“WHAT?” Leighanne exclaimed. “Brian take over stuffing this turkey!”

Emily had to laugh as she imagined the look on Leighanne's face as she realized she might have to abandon her Thanksgiving prep to be a birthing coach.

“Ok so what's going on?” she asked.

“I'm having really strong contractions, they're at about every ten minutes right now. They started around six this morning.”

“Where's AJ?”

“He's halfway here.”

“Did you call your doctor?”

“Yeah, I'm waiting for her to call me....oh crap...hang on....” Emily said as she felt another contraction coming on.

While Leighanne heard Emily trying to breathe through her pain she filled Brian in.

“Emily's in labor. AJ won't be back for about two more hours.”

“She's having the babies today?” Brian exclaimed. “Oh my God! What should we do?”

“Ok everyone relax.” Emily said, back on the phone.

“Emily I'm coming over!” Leighanne said.

“Why don't you wait for me to talk to the doctor first? I'm ok for now but I might possibly need a ride to the hospital if she wants me to come in now. But if she says to wait longer you can stay home.”

“Sweetie you shouldn't be alone!”

“I'm not trying to be brave, I honestly kind of don't really want much company right now.” she said, hoping Leighanne would understand.

In fact, Leighanne did understand. She remembered being in labor with Baylee and kicking her mom and sister out of the room so she could focus better.

“It's ok, I totally get it. Let me know what your doctor says.”

“I will.”

Emily hung up and mentally went over everything she'd packed in her hospital bag, making sure she had everything she'd need. The camera was in there, and she'd packed some clothes to wear after the birth so she didn't have to wear the hospital gowns all the time. She'd even packed clothes and snacks for AJ. She unplugged her laptop and put it in the bag so it would be ready to go. Her Ipod was packed with her playlist of birthing music. She couldn't think of anything she'd forgotten that she would need right away.

Her doctor called her back just after her next contraction.

“Emily what's going on?” Dr. Paul asked.

“I'm having strong contractions about every ten minutes. They started at six.” she said, feeling anxious as it was all becoming a lot more real.

“Sounds like today is going to be your day! Why don't you wait until they are every five minutes before coming in. If your water breaks, go ahead and come in right away.”

“Ok. I guess I'll see you soon!”

“I'll be waiting!” Dr. Paul said, sounding legitimately excited.

Emily quickly called Leighanne and let her know she was going to hang out at home a little longer then she called AJ.

“How are you?” he asked, quickly.

“I'm ok. I think. Dr. Paul said to wait for them to be every five minutes before going to the hospital unless my water breaks and then go right away.”

“Ok. Good. Maybe I'll be home in time to drive you. I'm getting really excited!”

Emily smiled. “Me too. In a scared kind of way.”

“How bad does it hurt?”

“They're pretty intense but only for a short bit. I know they're going to get worse as it goes on though, that's kind of what's getting me so anxious. Part of me was hoping she wanted me to come in now so I could go ahead and get my epidural before they get really, really bad.”

AJ laughed. “I'm so sorry I'm not there to help you. But you are the strongest woman I know. I'm sure you can do this, Em.” he reassured her.

“You know..I think I'm going to take a shower.” she said. “And put some clothes on. That way I'll be ready to go.”

“You need to shower before giving birth?”

“I just feel gross.” she said.

“Ok. Set the phone on the counter, I'll just wait for you.”

“You don't have to do that.”

“Honestly, it's keeping me calmer to know what's going on with you.” he said.

Meanwhile over at Turkey Hell, Leighanne was in a panic about what to do. She wanted to be available at a moment's notice for Emily until AJ got home. So she sent Brian to the airport to pick up his parents and quickly got the turkey in the oven and called Amanda to see if she would be willing to come over now just in case she had to leave before Brian got back.

“Leighanne, it's eight in the morning on a day we don't have to work. If you're calling about your stupid pies again I'm going to kill you.” Amanda muttered.

“I'm not calling about my pie, settle down! Emily's in labor!”

“Oh my God!” Amanda shrieked, sitting up in bed. “Is AJ back yet?”

“He's on his way. Emily swears she doesn't want anyone to come over yet but I have to be ready to pick her up to take her to the hospital if AJ doesn't get back in time and Brian just left to take his parents to the airport. Is there any chance you can come over now just in case I have to leave? I don't want to take Baylee with me!”

“Of course! I can't believe the babies are coming today!! This is so exciting!”

“I know!” Leighanne giggled. “I can't wait to see if they're boys or girls!”

“How is she? Is she ok?”

“Probably as ok as she's going to be until it's over.” Leighanne said. “But she's not freaking out yet, which is good.”

Amanda hung up the phone and poked at Randy.

“What's going on? What's all the shrieking about?” he mumbled, his head under his pillow.

“Emily's in labor!”

Randy lifted his head up. “Really?”

“Yeah! Anyway AJ's not back yet and Brian's at the airport and Leighanne might have to take her to the hospital soon so she wants me to come over so I can stay with Baylee if she has to fly out the door. You want to come?”

“Sure.” he yawned. “Emily's really in labor?”

“Yep! Thanksgiving babies, isn't that cool? And hey...you're on call this weekend so you'll get to check them out at the hospital, right?”

“Oh yeah!” Randy said. “Probably tomorrow! It's the first time I'm actually glad to be on call!” he laughed.

“Ok let's hurry up and get dressed before Leighanne goes spastic.” Amanda said.

Emily had finished up her shower and had dried her hair and was in the process of trying to bend over to pick up the pants that she'd dropped when she felt some warm liquid trickle down her leg.

“Oh gross!” Emily said.

“What?” AJ asked.

“I think I just peed myself!”

“Are you sure it was pee?” he asked.

“Well....no I guess not. But it was just the small trickle.” As she bent to pick up her pants again, she was rewarded with a huge gush of liquid.

“Oh shit! That's definitely not pee!” she said, dashing into the bathroom to stand over a towel. “Oh my god, that feels so gross!” she whined.

“Did your water just break?”

“Yeah. It did. Looks like this is it!”

“It's alright sweetie, I'm only an hour away. Stay calm and call Leighanne and have her come pick you up. I will meet you at the hospital, ok?”

“Yeah...alright...” Emily said, starting to freak out a little.

“Call me when you're on your way?” he said.

“Uh-huh.”

“Em, everything is going to be ok. We're finally going to meet our babies today!” he said.

Emily wished she felt as excited as he did but right now, all she felt was scared. She wished she could feel his excitement. Sure she was excited to hold her babies but before she could do that, she had to go through labor and birth two babies! That was a lot of hard, painful work.

Amanda and Randy had just pulled up when Leighanne dashed out of the house.

“Her water broke! I have to go get her!”

Leighanne was probably freaking out even more than Emily was. She practically hauled Amanda out of the car herself and then jumped into the passenger seat.

“Randy...I think you'd better drive. I'm all jittery and I hate driving in rain like this.”

“Alright...” Randy said looking at Amanda.

“She's not so good under pressure.” Amanda said. “I can drive if you want.”

“No, it's ok. I'll come back over after I get them to the hospital.” he said, giving her a quick kiss.

“Good Lord, we're in for a nasty storm, aren't we?” Leighanne said, looking at the ominous black clouds and noticing the lightening.

“Looks like.” Randy said, trying to see through the pouring rain. They made it to Emily's finally and dashed to the front door, trying to avoid getting totally soaked. She opened the door as soon as they got on the porch.

“How are you?” Leighanne asked, giving her a hug.

“I'm starting to freak a little bit.” Emily said.

“How far apart are the contractions?” Randy asked.

“They're starting to be about seven minutes after my water broke.”

“I was a little too distracted to try and drive in this weather. To be honest I'm a little nervous about being a birth coach!” Leighanne admitted.

Emily chuckled. “You'll do fine. AJ said he's about forty minutes away. Randy can you grab that suitcase in the hallway? I'm ready to go.”

Randy grabbed the bag and Leighanne held an umbrella over Emily's head as they slowly made their way out to the car. The storm was just beginning to unleash itself and thunder rolled through the clouds, the lightening getting closer and closer. They had to stand at the car for a few minutes while Emily got through another contraction. She was becoming unable to move around during them. They finally got her in the back seat and Leighanne climbed in next to her and held her hand.

Randy drove as fast as the storm would allow him to and glanced back in the rear view mirror when he heard another contraction set in.

“That's is sweetie, breathe through it. Try and stay relaxed, that's it....good...good....” Leighanne coached, silently wishing she had never given Emily her hand to hold as she felt like her bones were about to be crushed.

Randy pulled up to the door of the hospital and helped Emily climb out. “Do you want a wheelchair?” he asked.

Emily shook her head. “No, I can walk.”

He grabbed her bag from the trunk. “Ok. I'll get you guys upstairs and then I'll leave you to it.” he said, not wanting to intrude.

Emily handed Leighanne her phone. “Call AJ and tell him we're here.” she said, stopping just inside the door with another contraction. She leaned on Randy and gripped his shirt as she did her best to keep breathing.

“Ok Emily...AJ will be here in twenty minutes, alright sweetie? It won't be long.” she said. “So let's get you upstairs and have these babies!”

The three got on the elevator and started up for the sixth floor. They were about halfway up when the elevator stopped and the lights went out.

“Oh my God....” Leighanne said.

“Why did it stop?” Emily asked, her chest feeling tight with anxiety.

Just then, the emergency lights in the elevator clicked on. “I think the power went out.” Randy said. “They should have generators for this, it won't be long before the elevator turns back ok.”

“I hope you're right...” Leighanne muttered under her breath.

Chapter 138

AJ got to the hospital right when he said he would. He parked in the closest spot he could find and dashed inside, full of excitement. He was going to become a dad today!! He stopped when he got inside, taking a minute to figure out why everything looked dark except for the emergency lights.

“Power went out.” a volunteer told him. “Everything is chaotic right now while they are waiting for the generators to kick on.”

“Wow! Crazy!” he said. “I'm meeting my wife here, she's in labor!”

“Oh well congratulations! Let me call upstairs and see if she's arrived yet. What's her name?”

“Emily McLean.” he told her.

The volunteer called up to Labor and Delivery and was told no one had come in in the last two hours.

“She must not be here yet. With the rain and everything it might just be taking her longer.”

“Ok thanks!” AJ said. He went and stood just inside the door to wait. While he was waiting, he got out his phone and sent a text message to his mom, Kevin and Kristen, Howie and Leigh, and hell even Nick, along with a bunch of people from his management and label. He wanted to share his news far and wide!

“Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Guess what? It's baby day! Emily is in labor and we are just getting to the hospital. Please keep us in your prayers as we wait to meet our babies. Will keep you updated!”

Once he had that done, he decided to call Leighanne and see where they were. When her phone went straight to voice mail, he tried Emily's. Same thing. He was starting to feel a little worried. They should have gotten there before him.

“What floor is Labor and Delivery on? I think I might just run up there and double check myself.”

“Up on the sixth floor.” the volunteer said. “But you'll have to take the stairs, none of the elevators are working.”

AJ took the steps two at a time until he got to the sixth floor. The nurse at the desk swore up and down no one had been in.

“Are you sure she was coming to this hospital?”

“I'm positive! This is where we had our tour and everything!” AJ said.

“Well...why don't you hang in the waiting room. I'll just double check the other hospitals just in case she had to get somewhere quick.”

AJ nodded. He didn't have a good feeling about this.

The nurse, Judy, didn't want to panic the poor guy so she sent him to wait while she called not only other L&D units but the local Emergency Rooms as well. With the weather they could have been in a traffic accident or didn't make it to the hospital in time. She called the police department and asked if there had been any accident or medic calls involving a women in labor. They were pretty positive nothing of the sort had been called in. She decided the best thing to do would be to call the floor supervisor, Kathy.

“What's up Judy?” Kathy said, coming over.

“We've got a dad here who says he was supposed to meet his wife here, she's in labor with twins with broken water. He said she should have been here over ten minutes ago but she hasn't come in here or any other hospital. I've even checked all the ER departments and the police. She's just...missing! I have a feeling he's going to freak out when I tell him.”

“Where in the world could she be?” Kathy wondered. “Did he call her?”

“Her phone was off.”

“Alright, I'll go talk to him.” Kathy said.

“How long is it going to take to get off this damn elevator?” Emily said as she breathed through another contraction, holding on to Leighanne for dear life.

“It shouldn't be too much longer, Emily.” Leighanne said, giving Randy a look of panic. They'd already pushed the alarm button for being stuck in the elevator but their cell phones had no signal and there wasn't anything else they could do.

“What do you mean no one knows where my wife is?” AJ asked, standing up.

“Try and stay calm, Mr. McLean. I'm sure she'll turn up somewhere. But we've checked every hospital in the area and even with the police. No one has seen or heard from her.”

“Well it isn't like she fell off the face of the planet, she has to be somewhere!”

“I agree. And we'll find her. I promise, we'll keep checking ok? But I need for you to stay calm while we do. I'll keep you posted, I promise.” Kathy said, gently.

AJ nodded. When Kathy went back to her desk, he pulled out his phone and called Brian.

“Hey AJ! How's it going?” Brian said.

“Have you heard from Leighanne?” he asked.

“No, why?”

“They aren't at the hospital yet. They should have been here like, almost twenty minutes ago.”

“Are you sure you're at the right place?”

“Yes, dammit! I'm not an idiot! Besides, the nurse just told me she's talked to all the hospitals and even called the cops. No one has seen or heard from them! I'm starting to freak out, man! With the weather...what if they've been in an accident or something?”

“Well did you call them?”

“Both of their phones are going straight to voice mail.”

“Alright. Look I just picked up my parents at the airport. I'll drop them off and then I'll meet you there, ok? I'll call Amanda too, she's at home with Baylee. Maybe she's heard something.”

“Ok thanks, man.” AJ said.

Brian was pretty worried too, especially when Amanda said she hadn't heard a peep since they left. Not only was Emily missing and in labor, but Leighanne was with them! And now Amanda was also worried since Randy had driven and his phone was also going to voice mail.

He dropped his parents off and picked up Amanda and sped off for the hospital.

They'd been in the elevator for about twenty minutes when the power came back on.

“Oh thank God!” Emily groaned. “Epidural here I come!”

Leighanne and Randy breathed a sigh of relief that they soon discovered was premature.

“Why aren't we moving?” Leighanne asked.

“I don't know...maybe the elevators need to be reset?”

Emily moaned. “This can't be happening!” she said. She turned and leaned on the hand rail against the wall. Leighanne was rubbing her back and motioned at Randy to tell her how far apart the contractions had become. He held up four fingers indicating they'd now been coming every four minutes. They didn't want to say it out loud and panic Emily even more than she already was.

After a few more minutes, the emergency bell stopped ringing and they heard a voice.

“Anyone in there?” a man called.

“Yes! We've got a woman in labor in here! We need to get out right away!” Randy called.

“Ok here's the deal.” the man said, sounding rather grim. “The motor on your elevator seems to be fried. We called the repair company and they are sending someone as soon as possible. You'll just have to hang in there until we can get you out.”

“What you mean hang in there?” Leighanne yelled. “What the hell are we supposed to do? Is there no way to pry open the doors?”

“You're stuck in between floors. We can't get to you.”

“Well call someone who can!” Leighanne said. Randy put his hand on her shoulder indicating that she needed to stay calm.

“Fire deparment's already here, Miss. They're doing everything they can.”

AJ heard some commotion out in the hall and went to check it out. He overheard the nurses talking.

“Apparently there's a woman in labor trapped in there!”

He grabbed the nurse by the arm. “What's her name?”

“What?” the nurse asked, caught off guard.

“The woman trapped in the elevator. What's her name?”

“I don't know sir.”

“My wife is missing...she was supposed to meet me here. I think that might be her in there.”

“What is her name? I'll go find out for you.”

“Her name is Emily McLean.”

“Ok. Wait right here.” The nurse went down a flight of steps to get some more info and came back up a few minutes later.

“Mr. McLean?”

“Yeah, that's me.”

“Ok, your wife Emily is the one on the elevator. She's with someone named Leighanne and a pediatrician, Dr. Brown?”

AJ really wanted to roll his eyes. What the hell was Randy doing with her? But at least Emily was with some kind of doctor, he told himself.

“How much longer until they get her out?”

“I don't know. They said they have to wait for a maintenance tech to get here.”

“How long?”

“No one knows.” the nurse admitted.

AJ lost it. “What do you mean no one knows? My wife is fucking having twins! She can't be stuck in an elevator! What if something happens? GET HER OUT!”

The nurse made a small squeak and turned around and quickly walked away.

Kathy came over and placed a hand on his arm. “Mr. McLean, you have to settle down.”

“Are you seriously telling me to settle down? You are telling me that my wife who is about to deliver TWINS is stuck in your damn elevator and no one knows how long she'll be in there and you're telling me to SETTLE DOWN?”

“I know it's a horrible situation. We all know that and we're doing everything we can. But you yelling won't make it happen any sooner.”

“Tell me what I can do. I have money. Who can I call?”

Kathy shook her head. “The repairman is on his way. Why don't you go have a cup of coffee in the lounge. We'll get her out, I promise.” Kathy said. She just wasn't sure whether or not they would get her out before she delivered. Emily's OB, Dr. Paul, had already been on the floor raising hell.

Just then, Brian and Amanda appeared. They saw AJ's angry face and rushed right over.

“What's happening?”

“She's stuck in the elevator!” he said.

“What?” Brian and Amanda exclaimed at the same time.

“The power went out for a bit and apparently the elevator broke from the power surge or something and they can't get it to turn back on. We have to wait for a fucking repair man to get here.”

“Can't they just pry open the doors?” Brian asked.

“The fire department said the elevator is at such a place in between floors that they just can't get to them.” Kathy explained.

“But they're safe?” Brian asked, feeling relieved to have at least found out where his wife was.

“They're safe.” Kathy said.

“Yeah...if you call delivering a baby in an elevator safe.” AJ grumbled.

Brian led him back to the waiting room and sat him down. “You have to keep it together, man.” he said. “Emily's going to need you to stay calm when she gets out. I'm sure she's more freaked out than you are right now.”

AJ nodded. “You're right. Shit, she's probably terrified on top of everything else.”

“At least Randy is with them. I know he's just a pediatrician but he at least knows how to deliver a baby.” Amanda said, trying to reassure him.

Brian grimaced and shook his head at her. He was sure that AJ knowing Randy was with his wife was not going to comfort AJ.

“He is the last person that should be in there with her!” AJ snapped.

Amanda opened her mouth to respond but Brian shook his head at her again. “I'm going to get some coffee. You guys want any?” she said, instead.

“Yeah, that'd be great.” Brian nodded.

“Jesus, this is all my fault.” he said when Amanda had left, burying his face in his hands.

“How is any of this your fault?”

“If I would have been home, we would have left as soon as her water broke which means we would have gotten here before the power went out.”

“It's not your fault, AJ. This is just a shitty, shitty event. But let's look at the bright side...you are still becoming a father today. The babies are still coming!”

“But I might fucking miss it!” he said, standing up to pace around the waiting room.

Brian knew there really wasn't anything he could say that would make any of this better so he picked up a magazine and tried to read it. Really he was having quite a big chat with God.

“Lord, if ever there was a time for you to intervene, this would be it. AJ and Emily have been through so much, would it be too much for them to have a happy, safe delivery of their children together? If anything happens to them and AJ isn't there, he'll never forgive himself.”

Back on the elevator, Randy pulled Leighanne aside to have a whispered conversation.

“I think we have to start preparing ourselves to deliver at least the first baby on this elevator.” he said.

“But we can't....” Leighanne started.

“None of us want to, Leigh. But I'm not sure we're going to have a choice. What I need from you is to stay calm, ok? I need you to remember that birth is hard and messy and Emily is going to flip out. You have to stay calm.”

Leighanne nodded.

“What are you two going on about?” Emily said, having recovered from her last contraction.

“Emily,” Randy said gently. “I think we might have to start preparing ourselves to have this baby in here.”

“No!” Emily said. “No, no, no. Out of the question I...” she stopped a bit her lip, grabbing her stomach.

“Are you having another contraction?” Leighanne asked. Randy looked down at his watch.

“It's only been two minutes.” he said, quietly.

Emily grabbed Randy's shirt with both hands as she fought to keep breathing through the pain.

“I will NOT have my baby in this elevator!” she groaned. “We'll be fine. We can wait.”