Julia rubbed at her eyes, but didn't cry as she sat on Steven's lap.  He rubbed her back, which seemed to soothe her very tired self.

Karen was busy pacing the waiting room – anxious for any news about her sister and unborn niece.  Alex wasn't due for another four weeks, and while premature babies aren't uncommon, the health risks usually tended to be a major concern.  When Mort appeared in the waiting room, it was all Karen could do to keep from attacking him for information.

"Are Alex and the baby all right?" she asked, her voice desperate.

Mort nodded.  "She was just under…a bit too much stress today.  First trying to do things for the party – then Amy…God, I shouldn't have…"

"Daddy?" Julia was tugging at Mort's pant leg, her eyes red and tired.  Mort picked her up and she nuzzled into the space between his neck and shoulder. 

"Do you want to see Mommy, honey?"  Julia nodded slowly.  "O.K."  He looked back to Karen, who was now in Steven's arms.  "She's to be on bed rest until the baby's born – no exceptions."

"But she's O.K.?" Steven asked.  "The contractions stopped?"

"Braxton Hicks contractions," Mort said.  "False labor, thank God."

"And how are you?"

Mort looked a bit lost as he said, "I really don't know."

"Mommy," Julia whined.

"O.K, honey," Mort said, stroking her hair.  "Uh, you guys wanna just go, or…"

"We'll stay, Mort," Karen interrupted.  "Get back to her."  Mort nodded and went back to Alex's room.

As soon as Julia caught sight of her mother, she squirmed in Mort's arms.  Even at such a young age, she understood that something was wrong.  "Mommy…"  Mort looked at Alex, silently asking if it was all right – she nodded.

"Come here, angel," Alex said sweetly.  Mort eased Julia onto the bed.

"Be careful with Mommy, sweetheart," he said softly.

"K," Julia said, her voice a whisper.  She cuddled as close to Alex as she could and, within minutes, she was asleep.

"I want to go home," Alex said, keeping her voice low.

"Tomorrow, baby," Mort replied, kissing her cheek.  "I'm so sorry that I let her…"

"Stop, Mort.  None of that is your fault.  My being here isn't either.  I…"

"She upset you and…"

"And she's gone, right?"

"As in out of town," Mort said, "I'm not sure.  She had to be made uncomfortable enough to stay away from us."

"Mort, I don't think anything about her visit was…I think that you searched you out to…"

"Shh…Baby, none of it matters, O.K.?  What matters – and the only thing I'm worried about – is you."

Alex smiled.  "Do you think my worries are…"

Mort interrupted her.  "Perfectly normal, baby."

Alex sighed deeply.  "Look, honey, take Julia home and get some rest."

"I'm not leaving you alone, Alex."

"Mort…"

"No way, I won't do that.  Karen can take Julia, as long as she doesn't mind."

"Not gonna win, am I?"

Mort shook his head.  "I'm a persistent SOB," he laughed.  "And I love you too much to fathom you being by yourself."

Alex smiled widely.  "Well, I won't argue with that."

"Good."  Mort gently picked up Julia and hoped that the noises of the bustling ER wouldn't wake her.  However, it wasn't Julia he had to worry about.  He had almost made his way back to the waiting room when a gurney came flying down the hall – several people along side it.

"…No, not an accident," one of the EMTs said.  "Looks like a suicide attempt.  Almost couldn't get her out of the car."

Mort looked at the woman who was lying unconscious on the gurney.  It was Amy.

***

Author's Note:  Short, but hopefully packed a little punch at the end.  Let me know!  Thanks for the reviews, guys!