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“Man, it’s really coming down now.” I looked out the windows, willing the skies to clear.
“I have to get to West Chester.” Gabe looked ready to join me in battle against the weather gods.
“We’ll get you there.” Atlas spoke in soothing tones, far more confident than I could be, as he rubbed Gabe’s shoulder. “Promise.”
Twenty-One
ATLAS
Out of all the missions I’d undertaken over the years, the mission to get Gabe to the hospital before Paige went in for a c-section to deliver the twins was one of the most critical. And perilous, given the increasingly thick snow. All trembling hands and nervous energy, Gabe was in no shape to drive, and he’d handed the keys to his four-wheel-drive SUV to me, not Zeb. I’d driven any manner of large vehicles, tanks and transport trucks included, under some harrowing conditions, but Zeb likely had more hours of snow driving than me. I hadn’t missed his heavy sigh when I’d ended up with the keys.
However, I was determined not to fail at any part of the mission, winter driving included. I kept a steady grip on the wheel as we crept down the highway to West Chester.
“This has to be the worst Christmas Eve blizzard in decades.” Positioned in the center of the backseat, Zeb leaned forward to peer out the windshield.
“Not helping.” Gabe’s eyes were tightly closed, likely praying for an alternative route to his wife.
“We’ll get you there.” Zeb rubbed Gabe’s shoulder. “If anyone can get you there, it’s Atlas.”
“Thanks,” I gritted out. The vote of confidence felt particularly warm, given Zeb’s reaction to not driving. “And I’m going as fast as I dare. We’ll make it.”
We had the radio on for weather updates, and a cheery Christmas carol gave way to a crackling announcement from the DJ.
“The governor has issued a state of emergency in the face of the latest blizzard. She is mobilizing national guard units to deal with power outages across the state, road closures, and other ongoing needs. We expect to see more highway closures in the next hour.”
“Fuck this storm.” Gabe sounded closer to tears than rage. Right as I was about to reassure him, police lights appeared in the rearview mirror, and I carefully pulled to the shoulder.
A tall officer in a heavy parka rapped at my window. ““You boys have reason to be out in this weather? Governor ordered this highway closed.”
The officer had the posture, military short haircut, and commanding voice of someone who’d served, so as I produced my license, I added my military ID and made sure to let my coat sleeve slip to reveal part of my anchor tattoo.
“Yes, sir, officer.” I addressed him with all the respect I’d give a captain. “I hear you on the closure, but my buddy here is about to be a first-time dad at the hospital in West Chester. Twins.”
“Huh. Twins, you say?” The officer twisted his mouth as he glanced over his shoulder. “Harry, get over here. We got a situation.” A younger officer made his way over to our car, and the first officer pointed at me. “Harry, this is…”
“Chief Atlas Orion out of Little Creek, Virginia.” I almost never used my rank or duty station in the civilian world, but I wasn’t above pulling out all the stops for Gabe. I gestured at him next. “This is my friend, Gabe, and his brother, Zeb.”
My back muscles tensed. I felt more than a little disloyal to Zeb, reducing him to nothing more than Gabe’s brother. In a few short weeks, he’d become so much more to me. Sure, Gabe was my best friend, but Zeb was the center of my world, an uncomfortable secret that grew harder to keep by the minute.
“Got a good buddy at Little Creek. Spec Ops.” The first officer nodded as I’d hoped he might. “Did my time on the USS Enterprise. Let’s see what we can do.”
He stepped away to confer with Harry and was back in short order.
“You’re in luck. We’ve got a plow coming through and a plan to get you to the hospital for your babies.” Harry’s chipper tone contrasted with the seriousness of the storm, but his cheer was oddly reassuring. And thus, we ended up under police escort, following a plow, making painstaking progress.
Finally, we arrived at the hospital, said our thanks to the officers, and made a mad dash up to the birth center. Gabe had a room number for Paige, but the room was empty, with the door wide open.
“Are we too late? Are the babies already here?” Gabe demanded of the empty room, but before Zeb or I could calm him, a passing nurse snagged Gabe.
“Mr. Seasons? Right this way. We’re already getting Paige prepped. We need to get you gowned up, Dad.”
“Dad,” Gabe whispered to himself, expression wide-eyed and pale.
