Note: There has been a glitch at this site for over a week wherein people are not being notified of updates to stories. If this is still the case and you did not receive a notification, chapters 21 and 22 have been posted in this time and you should read those first. Argh- darned technology! I'll be posting the next chapter in 3-4 days, so, if the issues persists, check back then. As always, I am so very appreciative for those of you reading and following. I am especially grateful for those of who take the time to leave reviews. To that end, thanks to the following people for your feedback since the last chapter was posted: Caranath, Guest, Erin Jordan, Tin Dog, Paulina Ann, Hero 76, hlahabibty, max2013, ulstergirl, and Evergreen Dreamweaver. Four more chapters to go after this! :)

The Secret Spaces

Chapter 23

"I still can't believe it," Vanessa said, dabbing at her eyes, as she spoke with Laura Hardy in Callie's room. The Shaws were in the cafeteria having dinner with Andrea, and they had all agreed to keep a constant vigil over Callie, who, herself, had seemed embarrassed over all the fuss. Right now, though she was resting comfortably, to everyone's relief.

"I know, sweetheart," Laura said, reaching out for Vanessa's hand. "But he's okay- thank God- and he'll be here in about a half hour. Within the hour, you'll be together."

Vanessa gave a shaky smile. "Oh, Laura!" she gasped suddenly, hand over her mouth. "I'm so sorry! You've been the best mother-in law ever, and I couldn't have made it through everything without you. I know you probably need to talk about everything; you just have been scared to death- we all were- when Fenton was missing. And then to hear that Frank was there and Joe was shot. You're the bravest person I know. I'm sorry I've chewed your ear off with my own fears."

Laura smiled reassuringly at her daughter-in-law and squeezed her hand. "Oh, honey. I'm no stronger than you. I cry, too, sometimes, even after all of these years."

Vanessa nodded, listening intently.

"You'll get used to this life, honey. It's not easy, but you have to hold on to the love you have for your family; that they have for you. You have to have faith that things will work out."

"But they don't always," Vanessa countered sadly, thinking of Johnny; of why Callie was still in this godawful precarious situation.

"No- they don't," Laura smiled kindly, seeing in Vanessa the fire and headstrong nature she often saw in her youngest son, along with his bravery and loyalty. "But you need to know that they wouldn't be who they are doing anything else. This is their calling. My son adores you, as we all do. I understand what you're feeling. Joseph is your husband, but he's my baby. Frank is, too- though everyone, myself included, sometimes rely on him to be the source of everyone's strength, and that's not really fair. Those handsome young men who have charmed you and Callie are the same little boys whose diapers I changed, who cried to their mommy when life got hard, and who adore their father. I love my sons, and my daughters," she added with a smile, "and my husband, who, I swear, has made me very old before my time with his shenanigans. But I never question why anymore, sweetheart. I just pray for the best."

Vanessa leaned over from her chair and hugged Laura tightly. "I love you, Laura. Thanks for being my second mom all these years."

"Thank you for being my son's angel," she replied, hugging her back. "And my other daughter. I love you and Callie very much, and I love how you love each other and how you both love my sons. This nightmare will end soon, honey. May it be the worst thing you ever face. Just know that, no matter what you face in the future, I- WE- will always be here for you."

Vanessa smiled as she pulled back from Laura, who didn't miss the fact that Vanessa had surreptitiously sneaked a glance at her watch. Laura grinned.

"Hello!" a very tall, broad doctor said gruffly as he walked into the room.

"Hi," Laura said, not recognizing the new doctor. "May we help you?"

The doctor gave a small smile and walked to Callie's bed, picking up the chart and examining it. As he did so, he glanced at the monitor for several moments, looking back and forth between the monitor and Callie.

"Is everything okay?" Laura asked hesitantly. Vanessa met her eyes, questioning.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, continuing to stare at Callie, causing Laura to feel uncomfortable.

"I can assure you, my daughter -in -law has received excellent care here. A nurse just stopped by an hour ago and said she was stable."

The doctor nodded, grunting something. "How far along is she again?" he asked, gruffly.

"Almost 33 weeks," Vanessa answered, and Laura followed up with, "Shouldn't you know that?"

The doctor's stare was disconcerting. "Of course I know that, but sometimes mistakes happen and it never hurts to verify information with the family." He glanced at the chart again. "Hmm. It seems like there have been some issues with her blood pressure and the child's. That's a concern."

"She's been through an absolutely traumatic experience," Laura replied, eyes never leaving his.

"Of course," the doctor replied. He looked up at the various IVs attached to Callie's arm. "Some of these are running low. I may have them changed- up the antibiotic dosage a bit; make sure her fluid levels are okay."

Something about the doctor bothered Laura, but she fought off the nagging feeling that something was off. She had always relied on instinct, a trait she had passed down to Joe, she knew well, and she was not often off. Still, she had been incredibly worried about Fenton and the boys and hadn't slept well, so her logical thought process and instinct as well wasn't fine tuned today, to say the least. Besides, officers surrounded Callie's room. I'm just tired, she thought.

"I'll be right back," the doctor said, and walked out of the room.

"He's a weirdo," Vanessa said with a yawn, and Laura chuckled. Maybe that was it-he was a weirdo. Vanessa's way with words always amused her.

Several minutes later, the doctor returned with two bags filled with fluid. He certainly looked like he knew what he was doing, effortlessly switching out two bags without so much as waking Callie. "We'll keep a close eye on her, be sure of that," he said with a tight smile. "Have a good evening, ladies." And then he was gone.

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"Do we have any leads on Cotnig?" Frank asked Chief Collig. Now that Joe was settled into his room with Vanessa, his dad and mom were reunited in the waiting area outside Joe's room, and Callie was safe with her parents, Frank had a few minutes to catch up with Chief Collig.

Collig had met briefly with Fenton and Joe, and was still at the hospital with several of his officers and a few FBI agents. He had wanted to see Frank as well.

"None," he said evenly. "And that's what I don't like. A person just doesn't disappear, especially with every law enforcement officer in the area searching for him."

"So you think he's close by," Frank responded.

"I don't know how he would have escaped," Collig answered. "Not to mention…"

"I know," Frank answered with a sigh. "He didn't finish the job."

"That's why you're all in one place- we have it under lock and key. A hospital is a hard place to secure, but, between John Gellers's death, your family under attack, and my own situation- it's just better to have us all in one place. It shouldn't be too much longer, lord willing," Collig said as he smiled at Frank. "Get some rest, son. Go- stay with your wife. This has been a hell of a day. Give Joe my best again, and Callie as well. I'm going to rest myself. The staff has been kind enough to set up a room for my officers and I to rest while we're working."

He bid Frank goodnight, and headed away.

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A few hours later, Frank had fallen asleep in the chair by Callie's bed. He had no idea how long he'd been sleeping when he was awakened by a soft cry. He blinked his eyes several times before he could focus, but, once he did, he immediately became alarmed. Callie was sitting up in bed, gripping the side rails tightly. Her cheeks were flushed despite her pale countenance, and she was sweating and trembling. The monitors started beeping.

"Frank," she moaned. "Help…"

"What's the matter?!" he asked, alarmed, pushing down one rail and sitting on the edge of her bed.

"It hurts," she gasped, tears starting to stream down her face. She started shaking and clung to his hand, and he could tell that she was in pain.

"What? Where?" he asked, holding onto her arm as he heard a commotion in the hallway.

She started panting and closed her eyes. "Oh, God. My back. My stomach." It seemed as if she could not catch her breath.

"Sir, you have to move," a nurse said, and moved past him. She glanced at the monitor and her eyes grew wide. She shouted into the hallway for backup. "Code blue. Code blue! BP 180/ 120. Page a doctor now."

Frank watched in horror as several doctors and nurses ran into the room. All he could do was hold onto Callie's leg as oxygen masks were applied and doctors started reading charts and calling for a gurney. He couldn't even get in a word between all the chaos. For several agonizing minutes, he was ripped away from her and could only watch helplessly as all hell broke loose in the room.

Finally, an older doctor seemed to noticed his presence.

"Are you the father?" he asked.

"Yes- yes! Callie is my wife. What's wrong?!" He was panicking. Callie was trying to reach for him in vain, and he almost shoved the nurses away to get to her.

The doctor pulled him aside. "Your wife's blood pressure has skyrocketed; the baby is extremely unstable. She seems to be in very active labor all of a sudden. We have to take her for an emergency c-section. This is a dangerous situation," he doctor said quietly to him. "You have to be calm. Listen to me," he emphasized. "Be CALM."

Frank nodded, unable to swallow the lump in his throat.

"Go with the nurse-" The doctor indicated for a young man to come over to them. "Get prepped- you can come into the room."

"She's barely 33 weeks along," he whispered, desperate.

"Son, right now, that's the least of your problems," the doctor said, emphatically. "This blood pressure situation is life threatening. You'll have about five minutes to speak to your wife while the prep is complete and you fill out emergency forms. Tell your family what's going on. Come back in five minutes. Then, we're in surgery. Go-"

Frank reached for Callie's hand quickly and motioned that he'd be right back. He managed to see his in laws, who immediately entered Callie's room while he found his own parents.

"What?" Laura asked, shocked."She's in labor-now? She- I mean…"

"Ma, I know," Frank managed to get out. "I… I have to get back to her." He rubbed his head, his hand shaking. "They want me to fill out forms and…"

"The Shaws and I will do that," Laura said evenly as Frank felt his dad's arm around his shoulders. She took the papers from Frank and scanned them quickly. "Sign here," she told him, and he did as instructed, having no idea what he was doing. "And here. And here again," Laura finished.

"Thanks, mom," he managed.

"We love you, son," Fenton said. "And we love Callie. Go. We'll tell Joe and Vanessa what's going on. Hey-" Fenton added, squeezing Frank's shoulders. "It's going to be okay. Breathe."

Frank nodded, quickly hugging his parents, and then ran back to Callie.

"She's okay," Mrs. Shaw said before he was able to enter the room, but Frank saw the fear in her eyes. He paused another quick moment. "I'll let you both know what's going on," he said quickly to both of his in- laws, "as soon as I can." He gave his mother- in -law a quick hug and patted his father in-law's arm.

Finally, he got into the room. "Mr. Hardy?" a nurse inquired. "We're heading down in five minutes. Put these on when we get there." She handed him scrubs, which he threw on faster than he thought humanly possible, not waiting as instructed, as the nurse spoke. He couldn't even think. "I'll give you two minutes, but it's going to be very fast from here."

She stepped outside.

Frank stood beside Callie, who was already on the stretcher. Be calm, he told himself. "Hey baby," he said to her, touching her cheek. Despite how pale she was, despite the noticeable flush on her face, despite how ragged her breath was, he was struck again by how very beautiful she was. He looked in her eyes, and managed a smile, and she mirrored it slowly. Time froze for a brief moment, and suddenly there was only silence; only them.

"This is it, sweetheart," he managed tenderly, and reached for her hand, which she clutched as a refuge against the pain.

Callie whispered, "This is the last time it's just us, huh?"

Frank nodded, then got as close to her as he could. "You fight as hard as you can, okay? Please, baby. And I'll be with you every single step." He bent down and kissed her. "Like I always have been. I love you," he mouthed, words leaving him at last.

Callie squeezed his hand again and gasped as pain ripped through her abdomen. "I love you, too, babe," she mouthed back, exhausted.

A doctor came into the room. "It's time to go," he said. Kindly, he touched Callie's shoulder."Hang in there, young lady," he said to her. And, to Frank, he added, "Congratulations. You're about to become a father."

Frank nodded, grasping Callie's hand, and they started to exit the room, leaving only the softest echo of those profound words hanging in the air.