Morgaine returned to her side and resumed her low back massage. “Don’t worry about us, Merry. We’ll be in the waiting room, if we can’t go in with you.”
“I can’t thank you both enough—” Another pain was coming. She began to moan. Concern filled Sly’s eyes. In some ways, he seemed more nervous than she was.
She squeezed his hand and knew that if Jason were here, he mightnotbe holding her hand. He wasn’t allowed to do certain things that would risk his ability to pitch. She remembered his telling Roz that skydiving was strictly forbidden. But she imagined him trying his hardest to make it to the hospital and bailing out over Boston General. Hecouldshift into his falcon form and fly, after all.
At last, the contraction eased, and she took a deep breath, relieved it was over—for a couple of minutes.
A nurse’s aide entered the room. “How are you doing, Mrs. Falco?”
“Okay,” she said, tentatively.
“Good. Be sure to use the buzzer if you need anything.”
When she left, Sly asked, “Do you know any of these nurses from working here?”
“No. I was in pediatrics. Nurses from different departments don’t usually get chummy unless they were friends before.”
Just then a stretcher holding her exhausted looking roommate rolled in.
“Hey, Anna, how did it go?”
Her husband grinned. “We had a healthy baby girl.”
Anna snorted. “Yeah,wewere in labor for six hours. I’m just glad it’s over.”
“Congratulations. I’m happy for you both.”
Morgaine seemed genuinely interested. “This is your second, right?
Anna nodded. “I don’t mean to be rude, folks, but I’ve got to take a nap.”
“Of course,” Merry said. “We’ll be quiet—unless I start screaming.”
Just then Jason sailed into the room. “Who’s screaming?”
“Jason!”
He rushed to her outstretched arms.
“Looks like I made it,” he said.
“Thank goodness. How’s your dad?”
“Much better.”
“Good. Sweetie, can you take over for Morgaine and rub my back with your non pitching hand?”
“I’ll be glad to. Have you been at it a while, Morgaine?”
“About fifteen minutes.”
“More like forty-five,” Merry corrected. She imagined her friend didn’t want them to feel as if she’d been working too hard for too long.
“Thank you for taking such good care of my wife in my absence.” Jason rounded the bed and relieved Morgaine.
Another person entered the room. A different nurse this time. “I need to check to see how dilated you are,” she said. “Yourhusband can stay, but I think your visitors ought to leave for a few minutes.”
“That’s okay.” Sly smiled. “We’ll be nearby.”
