The sound of sirens was never more welcome in the Fierro household. In only a few minutes, two EMTs and two Fierros ran to Sandra’s side with a stretcher. Jayce and Miguel helped transfer Sandra from the chair to the stretcher. Blood on the chair didn’t escape the notice of the first responders.
Noah removed her shoes and said, “Dante and Luca are standing in the parking spaces in front of the ambulance in case some numbskull decides to park there.”
Gabe unfolded the blanket he held and laid it on top of her.
“I’m going in the ambulance,” Miguel said.
The EMTs nodded. Jayce didn’t know either of them, but they seemed to know what they were doing and didn’t give Miguel a hard time. Jayce felt assured that Sandra would get the care she needed as soon as possible.
As they were wheeling her toward the front door, Jayce happened to glance over at his father. Antonio had put down his phone and gave Jayce a sad look.
Gabriella had her hands folded in front of her and her eyes closed. He imagined she was praying, so he didn’t say anything that would interrupt her thoughts.
When the second EMT had closed the front door, Antonio let out a deep breath. He rose and stood next to his wife as tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. As soon as she was finished with her prayer, she turned into his embrace and let the tears fall.
“She might not have lost it,” Jayce said. “It could be any number of things. She might be put on bed rest for a few weeks and still carry the baby to term.”
Gabriella swiped at the tears on her cheeks. Jayce handed her his napkin, which was still clean, and she dried her eyes. “I hope you’re right, dear. She’s only twenty-four weeks, but babies have been born that early and survived.”
The amount of blood on Sandra’s chair might suggest differently, but Jayce didn’t want to worry his mother. Mr. Fierro glanced over at the chair, which Jayce subtly pulled out enough for him to see, and he shook his head. He was so much taller than Gabriella that she didn’t see him.
