Page 123 of Missing Marcus

Gabby didn’t hear the reply as Knight dove for the door and Patch covered her as gunshots sounded. When it stopped, they lifted her inside, causing the pain to shoot through her. She cried out.

Patch turned toward the pilot. “Go!”

The helo rose in the air and sped away from the scene.

Patch immediately pulled out supplies and set up an IV. He winked at Gabby. “Knight, you didn’t tell me you married a SEAL,” he teased Knight. Then he focused on her. “Where did you learn to use a knife like that?”

“Marcus taught me self-defense,” she panted. “Something’s wrong.”

“We’ll be at the hospital in a few minutes. Dr. Beecham and Doc will be waiting on the helo pad,” Patch reassured her as he cut through her pants and undies. “Hey, Knight. Make yourself useful. Grab some wet towels in the cabinet behind you and wipe down her face.”

Knight turned and searched through the cabinets.

“I feel pressure,” she winced as another pain shot through her.

“Knight, she’s going into labor. Hand me the scissors and a new set of gloves.”

Gabby watched as her husband frantically searched and handed the items to Patch. “I need to see if you’re dilated.”

Gabby held her stomach and water gushed from between her legs. “I’m sorry,” she apologized.

“Don’t even worry your beautiful head about it. This kid’s a SEAL. Did you see all that water? It’ll probably come out wearing fins,” Patch kept his tone light, yet his firm mouth indicated he worried.

“You’ll feel some pressure, Gabrielle. Tell me when the next contraction ends,” Patch ordered.

Knight moved behind her, positioning himself for her to lean against him.

Another contraction hit. She squeezed Knight’s hand and nodded to Patch.

“Gabby, I’m checking you.” A minute later, he moved faster, pulling stuff from bins and covering Gabby’s legs, giving her a bit of privacy.

“I hope you’re ready to become parents. This kid can’t wait to meet you. Gabby, on the next contraction, push.”

The helo landed, the door flew open as Gabby pushed. Patch moved out of the way as Dr. Beecham climbed in. Patch reported Gabby’s vitals. “Hello, Gabrielle. It appears we’re having the baby right here.”

“It’s too soon,” she cried between contractions.

“The baby has other ideas.”

“You’ve got this Gabrielle,” Knight encouraged as she pushed again.

“One more push and we’ll have a baby’s head. Are you ready?” Dr. Beecham encouraged.

Gabby nodded, pushed, the baby’s head came out and Doc handed Dr. Beecham a suction for the baby’s mouth. “Oh, It’s beautiful, Gabrielle. You’re doing great,” she reassured her patient.

Gabby didn’t feel wonderful. She lay against Knight like a limp noodle. “I don’t think I can do it.” Gabby peered at her husband. “I’m tired.”

“I’m right here. We’re doing this together,” he encouraged.

“Uh huh,” she replied weakly as the contraction started. She grunted and pushed.

The rest of the baby slid out, Doc placed something over her as Dr. Beecham laid the baby on her chest. “Congratulations, Mommy and Daddy, you have a little boy.”

Gabby weakly smiled and stared down at her son. “We have a little boy. I told you I wanted to see him.”

Marcus gazedat his newborn son and kissed Gabby’s temple. The words hit him like a brick as Gabby’s arm fell to her side. Dr. Beecham shouted orders and Doc pushed him out of the way as they transferred her to a gurney and he rushed the baby inside. Knight jumped from the helo and ran, following them to the surgical unit. Gabby’s head turned toward him, her arm stretched out to take his hand. “Tell him I loved him. I forgive you?—”

Patch held him back as he heard Dr. Beecham give orders. “She’s hemorrhaging people, get me blood.” Marcus struggled to follow her.

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