Miss Diana Rose Meyers-Reid decided to put in her appearance approximately six weeks early. An unusually strong spring storm with hurricane force winds had begun pounding the East Coast of the U.S. and torrential rains were drowning the area. The state police were closing all the low-lying roads and advising people to stay at home when Laurel's cell phone rang.

"Tovah?" she answered after checking the screen.

"Can you come over?" Tovah asked fearfully. "I know it's getting really nasty outside and all, but I really don't want to be here alone."

"Are you okay?" Laurel aske concerned. "You don't sound okay."

"I think I may be going into labor, but I'm not sure," Tovah confessed. "This baby isn't due for another six weeks and I am here by myself with Max. Spencer is spending several days in Boston lecturing with Blake at Harvard."

"Let me round up the kids and their gear," Laurel immediately replied. "With the ground clearance on the SUV, we should be able to make it over to your place without any problems. How is Max doing?"

"He's sleeping at the moment," Tovah replied. "This storm doesn't seem to be bothering him at all."

"Why don't you call Dave, too?" Laurel suggested. "He and Jack can entertain the kids while I look after you."

"I'll call him as soon as I finish talking with you," Tovah promised.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Upon her arrival at the Meyers-Reid house, Laurel took one look at Tovah and immediately asked, "Have you called an ambulance?"

"Not yet," Tovah replied, before doubling over in pain. "This shouldn't be happening - This baby isn't due for another six weeks!" she gasped.

"I have news for you," Laurel told her. "Babies aren't all that great at reading calendars. You get into bed and I'll make the call."

"This wasn't what I signed up for when I agreed to help out," Rossi commented a short time later as he walked into the bedroom holding up a handful of alcohol wipes he had gathered from various first aid kits throughout the house and cars. "What did the dispatcher say, again?"

"She said that they would be here as soon as possible," Laurel reported. "However, she also warned that because of the weather that may be a while. There are other, more urgent cases out there."

"Why don't you take an alcohol wipe or two and clean off the blade of that knife you brought up from the kitchen?" she added. "I don't think it is going to be long now."

"Please make it soon!" Tovah pleaded. "It hurts!"

"I think I see a head," Laurel reported as she checked Tovah's progress. "From what I remember, that means it is time to start pushing."

"What do you need me to do?" Rossi asked.

"Make sure you have a towel ready," Laurel told him. "When this little one comes we are going to have to make sure that she is wrapped up so she stays warm."

"Mom – I think I see the ambulance coming down the street!" Paige's voice came up the stairs.

"Have Jack put on his rain jacket and go outside to flag them down," Laurel instructed. "And then make sure there isn't anything in the way for when they take Tovah and the baby back down the stairs on the gurney."

"How are the little ones doing?" Rossi called down.

"Max and Sophia are both still down for their after lunch naps," Paige reported. "And, here comes Jack through the door with the EMS guys."

"You seem to be doing real good, all by yourselves," the first EMT into the bedroom commented with a smile.

"I don't see what you needed us for," the second one teased. "You seem to have everything under control."

"This baby is about six weeks early," Laurel told the two techs. "So we thought we should call in the experts."

"Smart move," the first EMT told her. "Now, why don't you catch that baby as it comes out and then we can take over?"

"Dave, why don't you grab the baby in that towel you are holding?" Laurel suggested, moving to one side. "I'll keep an eye on the cord."

As Rossi looked down at the red, squirming, little girl he was holding wrapped in a bath towel, he promptly fell in love.