Against All Odds

Chapter Twenty-Four

My phone rings as I wait for the last two parents to come pick up their children. This isn't surprisng, since these children's parents run late everyday, making me stay later than I would like.

After making sure that Mamoru and Erin are still busy coloring at the craft table, I pick up the phone. Caller ID tells me that it is Milo's shop phone that is calling me. Weird, seeing as Milo always just calls me using his phone.

He probably just misplaced his phone. He has been doing that a lot lately, forgetting the little things, and then getting upset in his attempt to find them.

With a small smile on my face, I press the green button, putting the phone up to my ear. "Lose your phone again, love?"

The line is silent for a moment before a distinctly female voice comes over the phone. "Hi Mr, Bellamy. This is Xania."

Immediately, worry settles in my gut. The last time Xania had called me, I had to take Milo to the hospital. "What's wrong?"

She doesn't hesitate to continue, the worry in her voice coming over the phone. "Mr. Katz started having contractions."

"Oh shit," I whisper, eyes darting over to my students. They didn't seem to hear me though, still talking to each other as they scribble on the pieces of paper I had given them. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"He's already on his way to the hospital."

"He's driving himself?" My worry only grows, imaging Milo alone as he tries to get himself to the hospital. He loves those babies just as much as I do, probably more since he is carrying him.

"No, no," Xania assures. "Janette is taking."

"Janette?" I question, mind scrambling as I try to find a face for her name.

"Yeah. She was in here earlier, came to talk to Mr. Katz. They weren't speaking for long before she was saying that he needed to go to the hospital. I called you right away."

My breath comes out shaky, eyes closing. "Okay, okay. Thank you for calling me, Xania."

"Of course." She pauses for a second. "I hope he's alright. Mr. Katz doesn't deserve anything else bad happening to him."

"No, he doesn't." The doorknob turning has me opening my eyes. Mamoru and Erin's parents are finally here, looking mighty suspicious with their flushed cheeks and swollen lips. "I've gotta go, Xania."

"Keep me updated," she says before hanging up.

The parents apologize as they sign their children out, but I just raise an eyebrow in response, not having the patience to say anything else. It takes me ten minutes to get out of there, making sure everything is in order and my bag is packed. So, by the time I make it to the car, I am on the edge of my seat, hands gripping on to the steering wheel so tightly that my fingers are turning white.

The thought of Milo and our babies being in danger has me sick to the stomach. They are way too earlier, just hitting the sixth-month mark. Our doctor had reassured us that they are far enough along that they would have a chance if born, but I don't want them to just be given a chance. I want them to come out healthy, not fighting for their lives.

By the time I make it to the hospital, a headache is just starting to come on from how tightly I am clenching my jaw. The nurse at the front desk tells me that Milo has already been admitted, giving me his hospital room number.

The elevator seems to take forever but is most likely just a minute. Everything is moving too slow for my liking, my heart on edge as I practically run to Milo's room, opening the door.