Bianca struggled onwards through the storm. The sudden gusts of wind always threatening to knock her down and the heavy rain driven into her face in unrelenting torrents. Twigs and small branches were ripped from the treetops littered the road, catching on her crutches and always underfoot threatening to trip her up. Not for the first time she wondered if she had been better off just waiting in the car. No matter how much effort she put into going forward the weather seemed determined to send her back.

A new gust of wind blew up and she braced herself head down as it pushed the rain and leaves into her face.

Oh why hadn't she waited in the car?

…

Suddenly the driving wind vanished. Bianca looked up surprised. Ryan was standing right in front of her shielding her from the worst of the weather.

"There you are." he said with a grin. "We were wondering what kept you."

"Just the weather." said Bianca, trying to stop from shivering.

Ryan scooped her up in his arms and strode back to Kendall's house. Bianca didn't protest.

…

Ryan dropped her onto her feet the moment they got through the front door. Cara was bent double over the back of the couch letting out a long painful moan.

"It's okay we're back." said Ryan.

"Mmm hmm," moaned Cara, an affirmative that turned into another painful groan.

Bianca literally hopped to Cara's side. She took her hand and began to rub her other hand up and down Cara's back in a comforting gesture.

"You're doing great." said Bianca with an encouraging smile. "I've got ya. Just remember to breathe." Cara nodded and began the panting breaths.

Ryan was still stood frozen with inaction by the door.

"What should I do?" he asked.

Bianca turned back to him.

"First call the ambulance, find out how long they will be and second find us all some dry clothes."

"Sure, yes!" cried Ryan and he dashed off to the bedrooms.

Bianca continued running her hand up and down Cara's back.

"How are you doing?" she asked, "Are you comfortable like that or do you want to lie down?"

Now the contractions had abated Cara found herself able to speak and she turned to find a more comfortable position on the couch.

"This is crazy. I'm a doctor. I know how this should go."

"It's very different when it's actually happening, I know." said Bianca, helping Cara to lie more comfortably. "How far apart are the contractions?"

"Quite far." said Cara, "Six, seven minutes."

"We've got a while yet then."

"I just thought when the baby came I'd be in hospital." confided Cara, "I've never really been one for pain."

"Well hopefully the ambulance isn't far now." said Bianca taking her hand once more.

Ryan chose that moment to reappear with an armful of clothes.

"I'm afraid the ambulance is stuck." he said, putting the clothing on the coffee table. "The river has burst it's bank. We're on our own."

Bianca shook her head in amazement.

"Déjà vu all over again."

"What?" asked Cara

"I was trapped by a storm like this when I had Miranda."

"Although I think you topped that by having Gabby after the hurricane in the rubble of your sister's house." said Ryan

"Seriously?" asked Cara.

"Seriously." said Bianca with a modest grin.

"So it looks like you are in the hands of an expert." said Ryan, slapping Bianca on the back. "There is no need to fret."

"Thanks for that." said Bianca. "Look, what do you say we get dried off and then worry about what's coming next."

Cara nodded again and began unbuttoning her shirt. She stopped when she realised Ryan was still there.

"Maybe a little privacy, Ryan!"

Ryan suddenly looked embarrassed.

"Sure I'll just go… um." He pointed with his thumb over his left shoulder and sheepishly retreated back to the stairs.

"You need to get dry as well." Bianca called after him. "It's no good our knight in shining armour catching the flu. I think some of Zack's old things are still in the dresser in Kendall's room. I'm sure she won't mind if you use them given the circumstances."

"Good idea." said Ryan as he disappeared to find his own change of clothes.

Bianca turned back to Cara.

"Okay let's get you out of those wet things and get you comfy."

…