Alethea's Redemption(3)
“I’m at the east door.”
“Roger that,” Craig said.
With a wave of his right hand, Marc sent a line of men outside to flank the couple’s walk from the limo to the hospital entrance. Presidents moved with less security than had been hired for this big day.
Dominic stepped from the limo and turned to help his wife out. A nurse rushed forward with a wheelchair. Dominic leaned down and kissed his wife on the cheek. In the distance a flash went off. Marc looked up and saw that someone had climbed into a tree across the street. He nodded his head toward it and two of his men took off after the photographer.
That picture will never see the tabloids.
Not on my watch.
How they’d erase the photo might not be entirely ethical, but, simply by working for Dominic, Marc had made enough influential friends that a complaint would never go public. If resolved correctly, the photographer would either leave happy with some extra money in his pocket, or scared that he’d never sell another photo. The choice would be his, but the result was not in question. There would be no photos of the baby until Dominic and Abby released one.
Taking his place beside Dominic as they entered the building, Marc smiled for the first time that day as he spoke to Abby. “You look ready to have this baby.”
She smiled up at him and winced. “I am. Anything you can do to help the next phase of this along?”
“Not part of my job, ma’am. Thankfully.”
He turned to Dominic. “Everything is in place upstairs. Your suite is secure. The doctor is here. Your family is gathering along with the Andrades in an adjoining private sitting area.”
“Good,” Dominic said, not letting go of his wife’s hand as the nurse pushed her wheelchair along.
Marc lowered his voice and said, “Piece of advice?” Dominic raised one eyebrow—enough of a show of interest for Marc to continue. “Follow the baby. I know you want to see your daughter born. I hear it’s one of the most amazing experiences in life. However, once she’s out, keep your eyes on her. Everything after her arrival is like a gory car crash and will leave you with memories that will haunt you. Look away, especially if you want more kids.”
Although Dominic still had a worried, protective look on his face, he spared Marc half a smile. “I didn’t realize you had children.”
“I don’t,” Marc said. “Just a hoard of nephews, nieces, and sisters who overshare.”
Dominic chuckled. “Understood.”
They rode up the elevator together. Just before the door opened, Marc reiterated, “Follow the baby.”
Abby looked up and over her shoulder at her husband. “What does that mean?”
Dominic kissed her forehead. “It means Marc is worried that he’ll be carrying my sorry ass out of the delivery room if I pass out.”
Abby smiled up at Marc.
He winked. “Exactly.”
When the family came rushing toward Dominic and Abby, Marc retreated to a nearby position. He pressed a button on his earpiece and ordered, “Close off the entrances and stairways leading up to the suite. No one but cleared staff gets in.”
Craig relayed the message to the rest of the men. “The stork is perched. Repeat. The stork is perched. Make a nest.”
Chapter Two
“Get out,” Lil said in her sternest voice. “You are making things worse instead of better. Please don’t make me call Marc.”
Dominic roared, “I’m not going anywhere.”
His sister-in-law didn’t back down. In fact, his refusal brought an angry red heat to her cheeks. “You’re scaring the nurses. The doctor can’t get the information he needs. You need to take a walk and cool off.”
Arms folded across his chest and feet planted, Dominic held his ground. “I will not miss the birth of my daughter.”
From the bed beside them, Abby said softly, “We have plenty of time. I’m not fully dilated.”
Lil continued her reprimand. “At least, we don’t think she is. We’d know if you hadn’t just threatened the doctor’s license and sent him scurrying.”
Remembering the arrogance of the doctor, Dominic didn’t regret his outburst. “He brought interns with him. I said no students. Abby is not a case study.”
Her expression softening, Lil touched his arm. “It’s common, Dom. It’s how new doctors learn. I’m sure Abby doesn’t care as long as the baby comes out today. Trust me, when I had Colby, I didn’t care if ten people were standing around me. All I cared about was getting her out and getting the right painkillers. Which won’t happen if you don’t let anyone help her.” With a shake of her head, she looked at the door that led to the attached suite. “Where is Jake? Maybe he can talk some sense into you.” With that, she stepped out of the delivery room to find her fiancé.