Two paramedics in dark green uniforms wheeled a gurney into the living room. Edge walked in behind them. When he reached for her, Skye went into his arms. She found herself clinging to him as if his presence could somehow save her.
“Lila’s going to be okay,” he said, holding her even tighter. “So is the baby.” He eased back and caught her chin, forcing her to look at him. “You need to believe that, honey, for Lila’s sake.”
A trembly breath whispered out. “You’re right.” She leaned into him, felt his solid strength. “I shouldn’t have called. It’s not your problem.”
Edge caught her shoulders. “If it’s your problem, it’s my problem. We’re friends, aren’t we? That’s what friends are for.”
Her throat tightened. She nodded. Theywerefriends. When had she started wanting more? Edge pulled her back into his arms, smoothing a hand up and down her back. The sound of the gurney wheels churning down the hall had them stepping apart. The gurney rolled toward the front door.
Callie followed a few feet behind, already dressed to leave. “I’m going with her.”
“I’ll put on some clothes and meet you there,” Skye said.
“I’ll drive you,” Edge said.
Skye shook her head. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Just get dressed, okay?” There was command in his voice. It wasn’t up for negotiation.
She managed to nod. “Okay.”
A few minutes later, they were on their way to St. Joseph’s Hospital on East 19thStreet, not too far away.
The three of them spent the balance of the night in the waiting room, while doctors checked for complications that could threaten mother and baby.
The hours seemed to stretch endlessly.
Dawn was breaking when the doctor, a slender Hispanic man, came in to tell them they had things under control. There was no hemorrhaging. It was not an ectopic pregnancy, and there was no life-threatening rupture.
“We’ve given her some medication to help with the pain,” the doctor said. “It’s already beginning to fade, but we’ll keep her a few more hours to be sure everything is okay. As long as Mrs. Ramirez takes it easy for a while, there should be no reason she can’t have a normal, healthy baby.”
Relief hit Skye hard. Edge’s arms went around her from behind, pulled her back against his chest, and she drew a steadying breath. Apparently, the motherly instincts she’d never realized she had were alive and well inside her. She got an odd sense of comfort from that.
She had no idea why. Her biological clock was ticking, and there was little chance she would marry and have children. Certainly she wouldn’t be marrying Edge, who wasn’t a one-woman man. Even if he were, his dream was to return to the Green Berets. Which meant he would be gone well over half the year. She wasn’t interested in a part-time husband.
Another half hour passed before they were allowed to see Lila, who was drowsy but smiling. It occurred to Skye that Lila Ramirez was a very brave woman.
They were ready to leave. Callie was planning to stay until Lila was released. Conn would be picking up both women and taking them back to his house, where he insisted they stay until things went back to normal. Lila was dozing when Skye and Edge slipped away.
Callie walked them down hall. “Are you still going to Vegas?” Though Skye hadn’t gone into detail, she had mentioned the trip. Too much was going on to simply disappear.
“We’ll only be there a couple of days. We’re staying at the Bellagio. If you need anything, call me.”
“I will.” Callie leaned over and hugged her. “I’m lucky to have a sister like you.”
Skye smiled. “I think that goes both ways.” She had learned the same lesson Callie had. Family meant everything. And Skye had a good one.
Callie disappeared back down the hall, while Skye and Edge headed for the elevator.
“I guess we’ve missed our plane,” Skye said as they made their way out the glass front doors into the late-morning sunshine.
“I called and had the flight put back a few hours,” Edge said. “Now that we know Lila’s okay, we can still make the flight.”
Skye nodded. “I packed last night. Callie and Lila will be safe with Conn until I get back.”
“Great, let’s grab our stuff and head for the airport.”
And the room they would be sharing at the Bellagio hotel.
