A New York Secret

Chapter Eighty-Six

As the elevator doors opened, Steve stood in the middle of it, his eyes wild. "Emily! Thank god. Mary was tending to... a patient, when she started having contractions. Her water isn't broke, but she sent me up here for our doctor's bag."

"Deep breath." James told Steve. "I will go grab the bag, alright?" He added, knowing Steve needed a minute to get his head together.

Emily took Steve's hand and led him out of the elevator. "You're okay, Steve. We've been prepping. Just take deep breaths."

Steve nodded and leaned against the wall just outside of the elevator, but kept a grip on Emily's hand. "As prepared as we've been trying to be, I feel completely unprepared." He admitted.

"I think that's everyone who's having a baby," she told him softly. "Just focus on being there for Mary."

"That's what I'm trying to do." Steve said, doing his best to stay calm. He saw James return with the bag for him.

"Come on man, we will all go together." James told Steve.

Emily reached out to hold Steve's hand. "Just think. You'll be holding that baby soon."

Steve gave Emily's hand a gentle squeeze as he pressed the button to call the elevator again. Having not moved, the doors reopened almost immediately. "That is also scary though. Up until now, I've felt ready, but now I wonder if I truly am." He admitted as they all stepped into the elevator.

"Steven, no one will fully be ready. Just focus on being able to hold your son and helping Mary as much as you can."

Steve gave Emily a gentle smile. "That's what I'm trying to do. It's just a big change all at once." He said as he hit the button to return to the medical wing.

"Which is what the other eight to nine months have been for," she chuckled. "Your mind will settle when you see him."

"I know everything is going to be fine, but I'm still just anxious. Mary had also said that it's normal to feel that way though." Steve added, trying to convince himself more than anyone else. When the elevator doors opened, he was the first to step out, not wanting to waste any time in returning to Mary.

James and Emily followed Steve through the medical wing, glad that Mary had decided to have the baby in the tower. "Is her doctor in route?"

"Yes. She is on another delivery right now, but she said it's likely to be several hours at least for Mary. She will be here in about an hour." Steve answered. He led them to Mary's room and just walked in, leaving the door open for Emily and James.

Emily stopped at the entrance of the room to see Mary sitting on an exercise ball while on her phone. "Hey."

"Hey." Mary replied from where she sat on the exercise ball. "You guys got down here quick." She chuckled.

"Steve calls, we come," James grinned.

"That's why you two are the best." Mary told James and Emily. "You don't have to wait around right now though, if you don't want to. The contractions aren't very close together yet."

"If you want me here, I'll be here," Emily told her. "But we could also give you and Steve some time alone too."

"Of course I want you here. I just don't want you stuck here for hours with nothing happening." Mary answered. "Did you have any plans for today?"

Emily sighed softly and smiled at her best friend. "We were going to go for a walk."

"Since it's still going to be a while, why don't you go ahead and go on the walk? Steve can call you if anything changes." Mary suggested.