Brooke knew. She knew deep in her heart what was
happening, but was too afraid to admit it to herself. She
picked up the phone in Adam's office and tried Joe
Martin again, only to get the answering machine for a
second time.
"Brooke," Adam said as he stood in the doorway
of the office. "What are you doing?"
Brooke hung the phone up. "Me?" she said,
shaking her head. "Work. I was hoping maybe Edmund
was still in the office." She paused. "As a
matter of fact... I think I need to run over some stuff
with Edmund."
"Don't be crazy, Brooke," Adam said.
"Have you seen the weather outside? It's
practically a blizzard."
"I need to... I have to get this done, Adam. All I
need is a few hours. Look, if you need me, I'll be
working with Edmund."
"You shouldn't be going out in this
weather."
Brooke smiled lightly as she stood and approached him.
She reached up, kissing him gingerly. "You worry too
much." she said. "Way too much."
"We have much more to consider now," Adam said.
Brooke's hand wandered down to her abdomen,
soothingly. A slight bulge was all that was visible.
"I am doing everything in my power to protect this
baby. I think I can handle a ride in a car over to
Wildwind. I'll be back in a few hours." She
kissed him again. "Just a few hours."
"Maybe it would just be
safer if you stayed there tonight," Edmund said to
Dixie over the phone. "The snow is really starting
to come down out there..." Edmund heard a knock at
the door. "Look, Dixie, stay at Cortlandt Manor...
I'll see you tomorrow... I love you too."
Edmund hung up the phone and approached the door,
swinging it inward.
"Brooke?" Edmund said, stepping aside, allowing
her to enter. "What's going on?"
"I uh... the snow is getting terrible." She
said, stepping inside.
"What on Earth are you doing out in this weather,
Brooke? You're crazy."
"Yeah, so I've been told. Mind opening your
home to a wayward traveler?"
"Sure, make yourself comfortable. Put your feet
up." "I won't stay long, I just need to
take a breather." Brooke removed her coat.
Edmund followed Brooke into the main room. "Are you
hungry?" he asked. "I've still got
Dixie's dinner..."
Brooke shook her head. "Where is Dixie?"
"She got caught in the storm... So she's going
to spend the night at Cortlandt Manor with Palmer."
He paused. "Let me at least get you something to
drink."
"Just water is fine, thanks." Edmund nodded
before leaving the room. Brooke paused a moment, pulling
out her cell phone and dialing. It rang a few times.
"Please, please pick up." she said.
"This is Joe Martin," she heard on the other
end.
"Oh, thank God, Joe." Brooke let out a sigh of
relief. "It's Brooke."
"Brooke, what can I do for you?"
"I'm on my way down to the hospital right
now."
"What exactly is it that's wrong? Is the
pregnancy giving you trouble?"
"I just... I want to make sure that everything is
alright. I've been having some pain. I'm sure
it's nothing, I just... I'd like to get it
checked."
"I'll be here for the rest of tonight.'
"Thank you, Joe. I'm on my way." Brooke
hung up the phone as Edmund reentered the room. "Oh,
Edmund. Thanks, but I should really get going."
"You just got here."
"I know, but... I've really got to get
going."
"The roads are a mess out there." Brooke
nodded. "Just be careful, alright? Call me if you
need me."
"Can do," Brooke said. "Thanks,
Edmund." Brooke headed towards the door.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Brooke pulled her coat tightly around herself and stepped
outside. The snow was falling heavily and the roads were
hardly visible, but Brooke made her way to her car and
stepped inside. She paused a moment before she began to
drive away.