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Lauren had just finished with her next-to-last client of the day, and she had thirty minutes before the last one was due to arrive when her phone rang. Since she wasn’t with a client, and the call was from Cypher, she answered.

“Hello?” she said, her tone was polite and business like. The same tone she used with her clients, since she was in that setting and mind set.

“Hey, sweetheart, are you with a patient?” Cypher’s voice sent tendrils of warmth through her.

“No. I have one more but they’re not due for another hour. Is something wrong?”

“Not wrong but we’re all headed to the hospital, Elizabeth’s in labor. I thought you might like to come.”

Her heart warmed. She couldn’t think of the last time she’d been invited to something that was clearly a family event. She loved that he’d thought of her and wanted her along.

“I’d love to come, but I’m not free for another hour and a half. Which hospital? I’ll join you when I get through here.”

“She’s at Springhill. She and Hex left a while ago, but they weren’t sure if they would keep her. But they called a little bit ago and said she’s in active labor, whatever that means, and they’re keeping her. We’re all going to head over so we can be there to greet the newest member of the family.”

“That’s sweet. I’d love to be there. I’ll come over and join you after my last client leaves.” She checked her watch and noted that she was down to ten minutes. “Should I bring something? Do we know if it’s a boy or a girl?”

“No. Elizabeth insisted she wanted it to be a surprise.”

“All right.” Her phone beeped another incoming call. Checking the screen, she found it was from her client. “I’ve got another call I need to take, do you want to wait or should I call you back?”

“I’ll wait,” Cypher said.

“I’ll be right back,” Lauren said before switching the call over to her client. “This is Dr. Callahan.”

“Hi. I’m sorry, but something’s come up and I need to reschedule my appointment for this afternoon.”

Excitement washed through Lauren, she wouldn’t have to wait to join Cypher and the others at the hospital. She loved babies and was excited about the new arrival, but she couldn’t let that show, not now, that wouldn’t be appropriate.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Is everything okay? You aren’t in crisis are you?”

“No, no. Nothing like that. My car broke down and it’s going to take a day or two to get repaired. Can we just cancel this appointment, and I’ll see you next week at our usual time?”

“I’m glad to hear it’s nothing too serious. And we can certainly do that. I’ll see you then.”

They said their goodbyes and she switched the call back to Cypher.

“Still there?” she asked.

“Always, sweetheart.”

“That was my next client. They had to cancel so I can head over to the hospital now. I’ll meet you there.”

“How about I stop by and pick you up.”

“What about my car?”

“We can pick it up after we’re done. I want to take you for a ride on my bike and since you’ve not been drinking this time, or at least I hope not since you’re working, this is a good chance.”

There was a fluttering in her belly, as she thought about getting on a motorcycle.

“All right.” Her first instinct was to say no. She wasn’t certain about climbing onto what was basically an engine on two wheels, but she trusted Cypher. He wouldn’t do anything that he thought was putting her in danger. He’d said more than once that all he wanted to do was keep her safe. “How long until you get here?” She glanced around the room and mentally listed what she needed to do before she left for the day.

“About fifteen minutes. That good for you?”

“That’s perfect. I’ll see you then.”

They rang off and she moved around her office gathering the things she needed to take with her, putting away the things that would stay and straightening the waiting room, so she didn’t have to worry about doing it before clients started coming in the next day. By the time she’d finished, she stood for a moment taking a deep breath, and her phone vibrated. Checking the message that had just been delivered, she found it was from Cypher, letting her know he was outside, waiting. Lauren gathered her things and headed out. She would put her briefcase in her car, then she wouldn’t have to come in after it when they picked up her car.