Chapter 7

As Michael drove Fiona to the hospital, out of the corner of his eye he watched her with growing concern. He remembered how much pain Yvette was in, but Fiona seemed to take it with a lot more strength. Either this was an easier labor, or she was trying to shield him from what she was going through. When they waited for a light to change, she sucked in a breath, let it out in even puffs, and held onto his hand. He knew when things got worse. Only a couple of blocks left, and she grasped his hand so tightly, she threatened to break every bone in it. He looked at her and saw her eyes clamped shut, her mouth open, her chest heaving.

"Fi, we're almost there."

"I...I know, Michael." A small whimper came out as she pursed her lips.

He pulled into the emergency entrance, parked, and ran inside.

Once he was gone, she let out a wail. Michael looked so scared, she didn't want to make a sound that would increase his anxiety. She knew everything was okay, but being a man, he wouldn't understand. A huge contraction hit, and she felt as if the bottom was falling out from underneath her. She screamed, "Michael!"

At that moment, he appeared. He ran beside the three people dressed in scrubs and pushing a gurney. In one graceful movement he opened the door, unfastened her seatbelt, and scooped her up into his arms. She clung to him even as Michael gently lay her on the gurney. She curled into him and didn't want to let go.

"Sir, we've got her. Go move your car, and when you come back in, we'll have her set up for delivery."

Someone gently pushed him away from Fiona, and he watched her disappear into the hospital calling after him. She looked so vulnerable and scared. A lump formed in his throat, and he suddenly felt lost without her. A sense of panic rose up in his chest just as a car pulled up behind his, and Maddie and Samuel got out.

"Ma!"

She hugged him close. "It's okay, Michael. You go in there and be with Fiona. We'll move the car for you. Go on!" She gave him a smile and a gentle shove toward the doors. "I promise, we'll be right in."

Sam and Yvette arrived not long after with the kids, and they found the two in the waiting room. "Where's Mike? Is he in with Fiona?"

"Yeah, Son. There hasn't been any news yet."

"Well, we could be in for a long wait." Sam sat beside his father. "I would think that they would have taken her up to the maternity ward by now."

"I don't know. They disappeared behind those doors and we haven't heard a thing," Maddie answered, her voice rising with anxiety.

"I'll see what I can find out." Sam stood and approached the front desk.

"Grampa," Samuel said and reached out for Samuel Sr.

The old man grinned and reached for him, snuggled him into his arms and his lap, and rested his chin on the little boy's head while they waited for Sam to return. It didn't take long.

"Just as I thought, they took Fi upstairs shortly after they got here. She's on the fourth floor, east wing. The receptionist said they have a nice sitting room on that floor, so we can go up and wait there."

They waited for several hours. The kids played with a huge stockpile of toys, while the adults talked and watched the clock. What is taking so long? It wasn't like this with Eve! Sam wished he'd brought some of his work to keep himself busy, because when the small talk ran out, it was painfully quiet. Even the kids were on their best behavior and kept things soft. He rose out of his seat and walked up and down the hall within earshot of the waiting area. He hoped he might get a glimpse of Michael and hear first-hand how things were going. Yvette joined him, held his hand, and squeezed it.

"I'm sure everything is going just fine."

"It's taking so long, Eve."

"Well, not everybody can get as lucky as I did," she responded with a small laugh.

Sam glanced at her. "That was lucky? When I found you in the bedroom, suffering, I thought you were dying!" He shook his head. "As nice as it would have been to have another one of our own, I'm glad you didn't have to go through that again." He put his arm around her and pulled her close.

On their way back to the waiting area, they saw a nurse walking into the room. "Sam."

"Let's go." They trotted back to the room and burst through the door just as the nurse was about to speak. "Well?"

His voice startled her, and she turned to them with a wide smile. "Fiona's doing very well. She's resting right now."

"How's the baby?" Maddie asked as she came forward.

"Little Lucas Westen is doing just fine." She beamed. "He's healthy, and he's strong. Gave his mother quite the workout, but everyone is doing fine. Even his dad did a stellar job. They should all be ready for visiting in about a half hour or so."

"Thank you," Maddie said, and a wide smile crossed her face. "It's a boy!"

"Aw man!" Esperanza stood behind them with arms crossed, a scowl on her face. "Boys are no fun!"

Sam let out a sigh. "We'll talk about that later, Espie. For now, I want you two to clean up the mess you made with those toys, and then we'll go see Aunt Fiona and the baby."

"Okay." Esperanza was clearly disappointed that her aunt dared to have a boy. Sam knew that in time she would learn that we don't always get what we want, and what we do get, we thank God for and be happy. Maybe once they ironed out this mystery with Esperanza and boys, she would change her tune.

Fiona looked exhausted, but she still glowed with happiness. She held her newborn son wrapped up in a blanket in her arms, and that little bundle kept her and Michael enthralled for their entire visit.

"He's adorable, Fiona," Yvette exclaimed as Fiona finally let someone besides herself hold Lucas. He made a few noises, and she spoke to him. "Listen to you, already talking, huh?"

Sam stood beside her and turned himself so he could see the baby's face. "I think he looks more like Fi, Mike. Even the hair."

"He has Michael's eyes," Fiona responded with pride and glanced up at her husband, smiling at him.

"Just hope they don't turn like Sammy's did. Oh well, maybe he'll get your ability to outwit everybody. Won't that be fun?" He chuckled. Having a sharp child like Esperanza, he knew what it was like to keep one step ahead.

"One thing at a time, Sam." Michael gave him one of those looks that never failed to sober him. "I'm just happy he's here, and that everything's okay." Emotion shadowed his eyes as he looked down at Fiona and clasped her hand. His arm rested on the pillow as he stroked her hair. "I was worried there for awhile."

"What happened?" Maddie looked at the two with concern.

Fiona reassured her with a smile. "It was nothing, Madelyn. Michael just didn't know what to expect."

"I was afraid we were going to have a rerun of Samuel."

"It wasn't near as bad, Michael. How he exaggerates!" She made a dismissive gesture and laughed lightly. "'Twas painful, I'll grant you that, but it wasn't anything I couldn't deal with." She glanced up at Sam. "Too bad for you Michael didn't bet on Lucas's arrival. Yesterday, at the beach, I could have smacked you for being so right."

"Why?"

"I didn't tell Michael, or anybody else, but I was already experiencing pre-labor. I just knew he would get all concerned and then I would never get a moment's peace." Michael shook his head in denial, but Fiona gave him a smug grin. "Anyway, what matters is that Lucas is here, finally." Fiona reached out for the baby, and Yvette cheerfully handed him to her.

"Ma, would you like to hold him?"

Maddie grinned as if she thought she would never be asked. Sam and Yvette stepped aside so she could take the baby from Fiona. Her eyes filled with tears as she picked up his little hand with her finger and caressed it with her thumb. "He's got your hands, Michael. He's so...beautiful." Samuel stepped up beside her and held her by the shoulder as they gave Lucas their full attention.

"He's a keeper, that's for sure," Samuel said awestruck at such a wonderful sight.

Everyone was so busy taking stock of the new little Westen, they didn't pay attention to Esperanza or little Samuel, until they heard Samuel cry. He ran to Yvette and clung to her leg.

"Okay, what happened," Sam asked Esperanza.

"Mama, Espie hit me."

"He was bugging me." She replied in clipped tones. "Can we go home now, Dad? I'm bored."

"This has been a long outing for the kids," Yvette said as she picked up Samuel and swayed with him until he settled down.

"Yeah, you're right. Okay, let's go. It was nice to see Lucas, but, well...all I can say is, enjoy him like he is now." They waved and left the room with Yvette still holding Samuel and Sam clamped his hand around Esperanza's, leading her out.