It's time to go, darlin'. The voice that had been gone since Amy came out of her drug-induced stupor was back. You have to stay open to me to get what you want, remember?
Amy was reminded of what this strange voice had told her. "Mort?" she said aloud.
Good girl. Go on down to his signin', I'll let you know what to do.
"What do I tell Ted?"
It's taken care of.
"How?"
Don't you worry none about that, darlin'. Go on, get before you're too late.
Amy ran out the door without a second thought. Several hours later, she was waiting in a line longer than some found at Disney World. Waiting to see her hus…ex-husband. She read the dust jacket as she waited. She did, indeed, notice the happier picture. She did notice the mention of Mort's wife, Alexandra, daughter, Julia, and "the new daughter on the way." Her heart sank and she forced away tears. She almost stepped out of line.
Don' you dare, hear me?
I can't face him again.
Then you don' want him back none, do you?
I do! I do! More than anything – but what do I say?
You leave that to me – I told you I'll help you.
Another hour passed before Amy was in front of the table Mort was signing at – he had barely glanced up at her when he took her book. He'd been there for two hours and wanted to go home…he had a feeling that today was going to be "the day." He opened her book, then looked up at her, the smile he had been wearing all day fading from his face.
"Amy?" His voice was the epitome of disbelief. "Why are you here?"
Not understanding where her courage to speak was coming from, Amy replied, "It's your big day, Mort. I just wanted to wish you all the best with this book and…" She was cut off by the ringing of Mort's cell phone. Having specific ringers programmed for people, he knew right away that it was a call from his home. He didn't even excuse himself as he answered.
"Hello?"
Karen's voice was on the other end. "Ready to be a daddy?"
Mort smiled broadly – Amy knew exactly what was going on. "You know the answer to that. Is she O.K.?"
"She's fine. Meet us at the hospital?"
"I think it'll be the other way around. Tell Alex I love her."
"Will do. See you soon."
Mort shut his phone and got up from the table. Trevor knew that if the call came, the session would be cut short. In preparation for such a thing, he made Mort sign a few dozen books generically for those who would have waited in line only to miss out on meeting him. Mort voiced his apologies and after explaining why he had to leave, he was met with applause, rather than groans. The only face that wasn't smiling was Amy's.
Amy rushed out after Mort, stopping him at his car. "You're just going to leave without another word to me?"
"My wife is giving birth, Amy," he said coolly.
"I know, I just…"
Let him go for right now.
Amy continued, a bright smile on her face. "Good luck and congratulations, Mort."
Pushing his confusion aside, Mort got into his car and sped off to the hospital, beating Alex and Karen. He paced on the sidewalk, waiting for them and all but ran out into the street when he saw Karen's car. Wheelchair already in tow, he rushed to the passenger's side door and helped his wife out.
"Baby, how are you doing?" he asked, feeling slightly silly doing so.
Alex smiled reassuringly. "Everything's O.K., Mort. You haven't missed any screaming, I promise."
"Hallie coming out to pay!" Julia squealed from the backseat.
Mort smiled at his daughter and said, "Yes, she is, sweetheart. You stay with Auntie Karen, O.K.?"
"K!"
Within a short amount of time, Alex was put into a delivery room, Mort holding her hand. "I can't yell at you," she panted.
He smiled. "Why not?"
"Well….unh…most women – on those T.V. shows – yell about not wanting their…mm…husbands to touch them again…" She smiled as best she could. "God knows that's not true…oohh…"
Mort wiped her brow. "So I can still touch you?"
"Eventually." Alex's grip on Mort's hand tightened as a strong contraction surged through her. Tears formed in her eyes and began to flow down her cheeks.
"It's not too late for the epidural," Mort said calmly.
Alex grunted, then breathed deeply. "This is bad…enough…no needles in my…spiiiiine…"
Out in the waiting room, Ed, Sarah, and Steven had joined Karen and Julia. They anxiously awaited the arrival of the newest member of their family. Nobody noticed the blonde woman that hurried past them.
Alex's doctor was busy urging her to push and, despite her exhaustion, she was doing so. Mort continually kissed her cheek and whispered to her – occasionally making her laugh through the pain. When the baby had begun to crown, Alex assured him that it was O.K. to leave her side and go watch the birth of his daughter.
A few minutes later, Hallie Isabelle (named for Mort's mother) Rainey entered the world. Mort let himself cry as he cut the cord. While the baby was being cleaned up, Mort locked his lips onto Alex's.
"You did beautifully, baby," he cooed. Alex smiled in response.
"Here she is," a nurse said, handing Hallie to Alex.
Alex let tears fall from her eyes. "She's perfect…"
Like an overeager child, Mort asked his wife, "Can I?"
"She's yours too, silly, you don't need to ask."
Mort held his newborn daughter in his arms, his eyes still glossy with tears. Alex was already drifting off to sleep when he kissed his baby's cheek saying, "I feel like I've been waiting for you my entire life."