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He approached the ad for the clerk to finish up with an elderly couple Once they walked away, he began speaking with her She see Shepley patted the desk a couple of ti thank you and then returned to us

"They’re taking her to the o to the waiting rooent Blevins was inhis tiny radio, I assumed to update the person on the other end of our whereabouts I knew he couldn’t tell us any more information, so I tried not to dwell on it An entire departer our fa than we did The very principle, even beyond a sound reason, infuriated me, but I had to focus on Abby

We found an elevator and crowded inside--all eleven of us--including Agent Blevins The elevator dipped a bit when he stepped on, but he didn’t seem worried Olive pressed the button, and the doors swept shut The kids were uncharacteristically quiet while the red digital number above the door climbed with each floor Finally, the door opened, and Trenton stepped off, the rest of us filing out behind hient Blevins "Have you heard from Perkins yet?"

"He’s arrived at the location He’s currently waiting for Mrs Maddox to enter the vehicle There is a security guard presenting a small problem"

Trenton smiled "That’s Drew He’s the bouncer Good kid I should call her Tell her it’s okay to leave with hient Blevins touched his ear "She’s in the car, sir Agent Perkins will deliver her to the hospital shortly"

Trenton see the nurse’s station A woreen eyes and a platinuh most of us knehere it was already Travis and Abby’s third child would be the sixth Maddox grandbaby born in Eakins We were very familiar with the maternity ward

"In here," the nurse said "Snacks and drink estured to the hall and to her right "So"

"The baby is early, but he’ll be all right, right?" I asked

The nurse s and ready to iven the best care possible"

I turned toand couldn’t wait to meet her," I said with a contrived smile No one responded except for Shepley, who si For James and Jessica’s sake, I tried not to show any worry Abby’s due date was still seven weeks away, and even though the deliveryuntil after he was born It was enough of a hint that the adults were so quiet, very different froiddy excitement the other times our family had spent time in that room

The nurse returned with blankets and pillows "These are if the kids want to rest for a bit Abby’s water broke They’ve done an ultrasound, and the doctor has evaluated the baby He feels that to avoid the risk of infection and complications for both mom and baby, he will let the labor proceed"

"Can I see her?" I asked, trying to keep ht about it for half a second and then nodded "Of course"

I kissed Shepley quickly on the lips and waved to the kids He switched off the light, and Trenton and Olive beganin