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“Everything at home is getting under control. Chase will handle the mess from here. Hope to return to the hotel the day after tomorrow.”

Thrilled, Emmie texted: Great. Excited to see you again. Let me know when you arrive.”

Feeling better, Emmie went to her suite to change for dinner. She already knew what she wanted to order. Emmie was picking out what she’d wear when her cell rang. Lauren. “Hi, honey. What’s up?”

“Mom, you’d better come home. Rick is taking me to the hospital. It looks like the baby is arriving tonight, and I’m scared.”

Emmie’s heart stuttered and then pounded with dismay. “Are you alright?”

“My blood pressure is suddenly very high, and the doctor is worried about eclampsia. She told me to come right to the hospital.”

“Okay, darling. I’m on my way. I should be able to get an evening flight out. I’ll let Rick know when I arrive.”

“Thanks, Mommy,” said Lauren, using a term Emmie hadn’t heard from her in years, and she realized how frightened Lauren was.

“No worries. You’re in capable hands,” said Emmie as calmly as she could. “I’ll be there as quickly as I can.” She ended the call.

Emmie, organized as always, called the airline to get a flight to New York , phoned the hotel’s reservations office, and then arranged for the hotel limo to take her to the airport in Tampa. Next, she changed into comfortable clothes for the trip home and quickly packed in time to answer the door for the bellman.

On the drive from the hotel to Tampa, Emmie called the hotel and left a message for Ann and Rhonda, telling them about her emergency and asking about any billing issues. Next, she texted Ted to explain that when he returned to the hotel, she wouldn’t be there.

Minutes later, she received a text from Ted: Sorry things didn’t work out for us. Maybe we’ll meet in the future? Wishing all the best to you and yours.

Disappointed, but thinking it might be for the best, Emmie thought about answering him and decided not to. She had other things on her mind.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The cab dropped Emmie off at Mt. Sinai Hospital in record time from the airport. At one in the morning, traffic was fairly easy.

Emmie got out of the car and stood by while the cabbie got her luggage out of the trunk. She waved cash in front of her. “Will you help me get the luggage inside?”

The cabbie took hold of her two rolling suitcases while she grabbed her purse and carry-on bag.

She’d called Rick from the airport, and he was waiting for her in the lobby of the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Center for Labor and Birth. Knowing Lauren was in a top-rated facility had helped Emmie get through the endless flight home, even as worry filled her every thought.

Seeing Rick, Emmie hurried forward. “Lauren? How is she?”

“Both she and our baby are okay. Thank God, they both got excellent medical care. I didn’t realize how critical it was for Lauren to be treated right away. As soon as they got her blood pressure down, she went in for a C-section delivery.”

Emmie clapped her hands to her lips and said a silent prayer of thanks. When she opened her eyes, she saw Rick struggling to hold back tears of his own. She hugged him. “Thank you for taking care of Lauren and the baby. Can we see them?”

“Yes, he and Lauren are in a fetal surveillance room for extra care. We’ll get you checked in at the registration desk and ask them to store your bags safely.”

“Thank you,” said Emmie. “Have you been able to get any sleep in the last day or so?”

Rick shook his head. “Not much. I’m allowed to fall asleep in the room with Lauren and the baby.”

Emmie saw how exhausted he looked. “I can stay with Lauren if you want to go home and get some rest.”

“Thanks. Maybe later. I want to make sure they’re both okay before I leave. It’s been pretty frightening.”

Emmie wrapped her arms around him. “I’m very grateful you did as the doctor requested when she told you to come to the hospital.”

“I thought Lauren was just overtired from Christmas,” said Rick. “But both Lauren and I trust Dr. Spellman, so we didn’t hesitate to come right in.”

Emmie checked in, took care of her luggage, and followed Rick to Lauren and the baby’s room.

Lauren was in bed, sleeping.