The hospital wasn't busy when Lauren, Speed, and Tom arrived. They were all thankful for that. Lauren was able to check in quickly and settle into her room within about a half hour. "How are you feeling, sweetheart," Tom asked sitting next to his daughter.

"I'm fine… for now," Lauren said pulling the covers over her large belly.

For a few minutes the two sat together in silence. Lauren's contractions were getting a little stronger, but it was nothing she couldn't manage. She thought about Jack, her older brother. She wondered where he was, and if he would be here to see his niece or nephew; she wondered if Sheri ever thought about her, and her grandchild, but most of all she wondered where her husband was.

"Daddy, where's Tim? I haven't seen him since we got in the room?"

"I'm right here," Speed said walking into the room with his cell phone still in hand and the overnight bag a crossed his chest. Lauren started laughing. "What?"

"Nothing. You're perfect, baby. I love you," Lauren said with a smile. He smiled back and went to set the bag on the bench by the window. "Did you call Horatio and Virginia yet?"

"No, because I figured you would want to do that," he said handing her his cell phone. "I was trying to get a hold of my parents, but there wasn't any answer." Speed took a seat next to Lauren on her bed. "Did the doctor come see you yet?"

Lauren took his cell phone and said, "No, but it won't be the same if Dr. Chang can't be here."

Speed leaned forward and kissed her. "I know baby, but she didn't expect you to go into labor this soon, and whoever is taking her place, I'm sure they're just as good if Dr. Chang trained them."

Lauren looked down at the cell phone and nodded her head. "I know."

"So, let's not sweat the small stuff and call Horatio and Virginia." Speed kissed her again. She smiled and kissed him back. "I love you."

"Love you too."

Lauren picked up the phone again and searched for Horatio's phone number. When she found it she hit the call button, and switched it to speaker. It rang four times before Horatio picked up. "Speed, is everything alright?" Horatio asked concerned.

"Actually, Horatio it's, Lauren, and as far as I know, but guess what," Lauren said excitedly.

"What?"

"Is Virginia there with you?" Lauren asked rubbing her belly. A contraction was starting coming. Lauren scrunched up her face in pain. Both Speed and Tom were trying to help her through the contraction.

"She just got out of the shower… Lauren what's going on?" Horatio asked again.

The contraction was getting stronger; Lauren couldn't speak through the pain. She shoved the phone into Speed's hands. He took it and said, "We're having a baby, H. Lauren went into labor about a couple hours ago. We're at the hospital." Horatio was silent. "Horatio, you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here, Speed. Lauren's in labor? I thought she wasn't due for another month?" Horatio said shocked.

"She's not. But the baby decided it wanted to come now. So you need to get here as soon as you can, and can you let Eric, Calleigh, Ryan, and Alexx know, please."

"Of course… hey, Speed?"

"Yeah, H?" Speed asked looking back at Lauren. She looked comfortable again.

"Congratulations. Tell Lauren I love her, and Virginia and I will be there as soon as we can. I've already got a call-out."

"Okay. I will." Speed set his cell phone in down the overnight bag they had brought. "You okay?" he asked. Tom excused himself for a moment and left the room.

Lauren half smiled. "Yeah… gotta love those contractions." She gently placed her hand on top of Speed's and closed her eyes. He could tell something was on her mind.

"You sure you're okay?" Speed saw a single tear roll down her cheek.

"Do you think Jack will be here? Do you think he even knows we're about to have a baby? I wish he would quit that stupid job of his. Why does he need to do those Soul Missions, or whatever they're called, for the government?" Lauren never understood why Jack decided to work for the government in that way. She never knew if he was dead or alive.

"Knowing how much Jack loves you… he wouldn't miss it for the world. He'll be here, Lauren," Speed said reassuring Lauren that her brother would be here. Jack always had his ways of finding out information.

"What about Sheri?"

Speed furrowed his brows. "Honey, listen to me. I know you have all these thoughts going through your head, but right now all you need to do is focus on yourself, our baby, and keeping calm."

Lauren sighed. "I know, but you know me… I can't help it."

"I know, but you're going to have to help it."

Just then the doctor knocked and walked in. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Speedle! My name is, Dr. Maggie Lyon. Most people call me Dr. Maggie. Sorry I'm late. I got busy all of a sudden, but that's all done now and I'm all yours," Dr. Lyon's said cheerfully.

"Hi," both Lauren and Speed said at the same time.

"How about we check you about and see how you're doing?" Dr. Lyon looked over Lauren's chart and noticed that all her vitals and the baby's vitals looked good. "Your vitals and the baby's vitals look excellent. From what I see here, you weren't due for another month?" Lauren nodded her head yes. "Okay. When your baby is born he or she might need to be put in the NICU for a little while just to make sure everything is working just fine, but other than that everything should go as planned if you were full-term."

"Dr. Chang, told me that on the phone, but thanks for reassuring me. I'm kinda… no, I'm a lot nervous," Lauren said.

Dr. Lyon smiled. "That's my job, and it's normal for a first-time mom to be nervous… okay, let's take a look and see how far along you are." Lauren took a few deep breaths as Dr. Lyon began her exam. "Position of the baby feels good. Baby is head first." She heard Lauren whimper a little. "Almost done, honey… take a few deep breaths… okay, you can relax now. You're almost three centimeters dilated. How's the pain level?" Dr. Lyon removed her latex gloves and threw them in the trash.

"Um, it's okay. The contractions are getting stronger, but I can deal with it," Lauren said rubbing her belly.

"Are you sure? I can get an epidural for you?"

"No, I'm good thank you. I think I want to try and do this without medication."

Dr. Lyon smiled and nodded her head. "Alright, well if you need one let me know, and I'll get you one right away. I'm going to head out and check up on some other patients. I'll be back in a little while. Oh and try and get some rest Lauren."

"Okay thank you, doctor, and I'll make sure she does," Speed said. With that Dr. Lyon exited the room leaving the parents-to-be alone.