CHAPTER 5

Frank and Fenton arrived to find the police, firefighters and an ambulance parked haphazardly in the front of the building. Fenton recognized Laura's car, which was parked next to one of the police cruisers.

"Laura and Vanessa must have been close by," commented Fenton as he got out of the car.

Frank, who had parked behind Fenton, agreed. He took Mackenzie's hand and they followed Fenton into the building. As they neared the entrance a police officer stepped in front of the group.

"I'm sorry, you can't go in there."

"My son is trapped in that elevator," said Fenton, pushing past the officer.

The officer was about to haul Fenton back when he felt a hard slap on his shoulders.

"I wouldn't do that, Peters," said another police officer. He was older than Officer Peters.

"But Captain…"

"But nothing…he is a father worried about his son…plus, he's one of our own."

"So you're a captain now?" Frank smiled at the older officer as they walked inside the medical building.

Captain David Addison, a long time friend who along with Con Riley had helped Frank and Joe when they were young detectives, grinned. "And aren't you glad that I am, Frank. I see that you and your brother are still getting into trouble."

"Hey, I'm a teacher now! I have nothing to do with this! It's Joe…all Joe!" Frank held his hands up in protest.

"Why do I always hear that Joe is the one getting into trouble? Your Aunt Gertrude told me a few things you did when you were young, Frank!" Mackenzie poked Frank in the chest as she spoke.

"I can tell you a few stories his aunt doesn't know about," Captain Addison winked at Mackenzie. "Buy me a cup of coffee and I'll tell you whatever you want to know."

"You're on!" Mackenzie gave a little laugh as she hurried over to Mrs. Hardy.

"What's Chet doing here?" wondered Frank when he saw his old friend standing next to Vanessa. Chet turned slightly and Frank caught a glimpse of Elisabeth. "Oh no…don't tell me the pregnant woman with Joe is Ann!"

Frank knew that Chet was dating Ann Greene. One night Chet had called asking Frank to meet him at his restaurant, Good Eats. When he arrived, Chet seemed depressed. Chet had proposed to Ann but she had turned him down. Frank was surprised, for he could see how the couple loved each other. Then Chet dropped a bomb shell…Ann had turned him down because she was pregnant with her ex-husband's child. She hadn't known she was with child when they divorced and she didn't want to burden Chet with a child that wasn't his. Ann was already raising her baby sister, whom Chet had come to love.

"Do you still love her, Chet?" Frank asked his good friend.

"Of course I do!"

"Do you think you could raise another man's child…love that child as your own?"

"Frank…that's an innocent child…I couldn't blame or hate that baby, besides, that stupid jerk of an ex-husband doesn't want anything to do with it. I would raise that baby and Elisabeth as if they were mine!"

"Then tell Ann that, Chet!"

"I have! She won't listen to me!"

"Then show her. Stay with her…be her Lamaze coach…help her with Elisabeth. Show her that you're not going to leave her."

And that's what Chet did. Ann hadn't accepted Chet's proposal yet but it was just a matter of time.

"Chet, what are you doing here?" asked Frank.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," sighed Chet.

"Oh yes I would," deadpanned Frank.

There was a sudden commotion as the firefighters finally got the elevator doors open. EMT's were standing by, and one firefighter was inside the elevator with Joe and Ann.

"We need to get her to the nearest hospital! Her contractions are overlapping each other and she's not fully dilated!"

The EMT's quickly got Ann strapped onto the gurney and rushed her out. Chet was by her side, Vanessa had taken Elisabeth.

"I want to go with her." Chet looked imploringly at the paramedics.

"Are you the father?"

Before Chet could answer Ann spoke: "Yes he is, and he's my Lamaze coach!"

"Get in, dad."

Chet quickly got inside, sitting beside the EMT. He looked out the double doors and caught Joe's eye. He gave Joe a grateful smile. Joe returned the smile and sketched a wave as one of the firemen closed the door then hit it twice to let the driver know he could leave.

Frank moved to stand in front of Joe. Smiling he shook his head in disbelief. "Can you tell me how you not only get trapped in an elevator but you also end up with a pregnant woman who is dating Chet?"

"It's a gift…and a curse," Joe quoted from one of his favorite detective shows.

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The small group now gathered in the maternity waiting room at Bayport General hospital. Four hours had passed since Joe and Ann were rescued from the defective elevator. With Dr. Bates' help they were able to pass on a message to Chet to let him know his friends were in the waiting room lending their support. As they waited Joe told what happened when the elevator came to a sudden stop. No one noticed the tall man wearing surgical garb walk into the waiting room. The man loudly cleared his throat to get their attention. Once he had, he took off the surgical mask. It was Chet, a huge grin on his face.

"It's a girl!"

Frank and Joe patted Chet on the back. Vanessa and Mackenzie asked how Ann was. Laura and Fenton were happy for Chet; they knew he would help Ann care for the baby.

Chet felt someone tugging his shirt. He looked down then lifted Elisabeth up.

"Is Annie okay now?"

"Yes she is, sweetie. You want to go see your little niece?"

"Okay…what's a niece?"

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As much as Chet wanted to spend the rest of the day with Ann, he had to go back to the restaurant. Laura offered to babysit Elisabeth.

Chet took Joe aside before he left. "Vanessa said you two were looking for an apartment to rent."

"Yes we are."

"Go see my dad. He was telling me about this great place. It's a basement that's been converted into a studio apartment. The rent wasn't too bad and your upstairs neighbor is a nice little old lady, Mrs. Patterson."

"Thanks, Chet, Vanessa and I will go visit your dad tomorrow."

"Joe," Chet smiled nervously.

"Yeah?" Joe stared curiously at his friend.

"Of all the people Ann could have gotten stuck with…I'm glad she was with you. I know that you're the reason she wasn't going crazy with worry."

"I'm glad I was there too."

Chet and Joe slowly followed the rest of the group. Vanessa turned around walking backwards.

"Chet…you never said how much she weighed or her name! You did have a name picked out didn't you?"

"Oh wow! In all the excitement I forgot! Her name is Samantha Greene…hopefully soon to be Morton! She weighed seven pounds 4 ounces. Don't ask me anything else. When the doctor put her in my arms…I couldn't concentrate on anything else." A happy grin crossed Chet's face.

END OF CHAPTER

Disclaimer: The Hardy Boys are owned by Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer syndicate and are only being temporarily borrowed for a little run. They will be returned in … mostly … 1 piece when this is done.

A reminder: Please see Copagirl's profile (which I promise to add more information to as I have a chance to do so).

Enjoy!