Jason and Charlotte, along with their toddler and infant daughter, Ann Marie, were among the first to arrive. Many of the friends who’d worked so hard on James’s campaign showed up soon after, shortly before the first election results were announced.
Summer planted herself in a chair in the family room and didn’t move for an hour. The ache in her back had intensified.
Feeling the need to move about, she made her way into the kitchen. She was standing in front of the sink when it happened. Her eyes widened as she felt a sharp, stabbing pain.
“James,” she cried in panic, gripping the counter. Water gushed from between her legs and onto the floor. “Oh, my goodness.”
“Summer?” James stood in the doorway, along with at least ten others, including Elizabeth Manning.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, looking at James. “But I think it might be time to take me to the hospital.”
She saw her husband turn and stare longingly at the election results being flashed across the screen. “Now?”
Fourteen
“James... I’m sorry.” The pain that had been concentrated in the small of her back had worked its way around her middle. Summer held her stomach and closed her eyes, surprised by the intensity of it.
“Sorry,” James demanded, “for what?” He moved quickly and placed his arm around her shoulders.
“You’d better get her to the hospital,” Elizabeth advised.
“I’ll phone the doctor for you,” Eric added.
James shouted out the number he’d memorized, and five or six Mannings chanted it until Eric found a pad and pen to write it down.
Summer felt as if everyone wanted to play a role in the birth of their twins.
“Toss me the car keys, and I’ll get the car as close to the front door as I can,” Jason Manning shouted.
James threw him the keys, and Jason hurried out the front door.
“What about the election returns?” Summer asked, gazing at the television.
“I’ll get them later,” James said as if it meant nothing.
“I’ll leave messages on your cell phone,” Charlotte volunteered, “and James can call us when he has an update on Summer and the babies.”
Summer bit her lip at the approach of another contraction. It hurt, really hurt. “James.” She squeezed his hand, needing him.
“I’m here, sweetheart. I won’t leave you, not for anything.”
Jason reappeared, and the small entourage headed for James’s car. It was parked on the grass, close to the front door, the engine running.
“The doctor said you should go directly to the hospital,” Walter said breathlessly. “He’ll meet you there.”
“Don’t worry, Summer, this isn’t his first set of twins,” Elizabeth said in a reassuring voice.
“True, but they’re mine,” James said.
“James?” Summer looked at her husband and noticed how pale he’d suddenly become. “Are you all right?”
He didn’t answer for a moment; instead, he helped her inside the car and strapped her in. Before long he was sitting next to her, hands braced on the steering wheel. Summer saw the pulse in his neck pounding.
“It’s going to be fine,” she whispered. “Just fine.”
“I’ll feel a whole lot better once we get you to the hospital.”
“Call us,” Charlotte shouted, standing on the steps, waving.
Summer waved back, and no fewer than fifteen adults crowded onto the Mannings’ front porch, cheering them on.
“James, are you okay to drive?” Summer asked when he took off at breakneck speed. He slowed down and stayed within the speed limit, but there was a leashed fear in him that was almost palpable.
“I’ll be okay once we get you to the hospital.”
“The birthing process is perfectly natural.”
“Maybe it is for a woman, but it isn’t as easy for a man.”
With her hands propped against her abdomen, Summer smiled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know if I can bear to see you in pain,” he said, wiping his face as they stopped for a red light.
“It won’t be too bad.”
“Hey, you saw the films in our birthing class. I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
“You!” she said, and giggled.
James’s fingers curled around her hand. “This isn’t a laughing matter. I’ve never been more frightened in my life. No, only once,” he amended. “The night I came home and found you gone.”
“The babies and I are going to be just fine,” she said again. “Don’t worry, James, please. This is your night to shine. I’m just sorry Mutt and Jeff chose right now to make their debut.”
“At the moment, the election is the last thing on my mind. None of it matters.”
“You’re going to win the primary,” she insisted. Summer knew the competition had been steep, and Ralph Southworth had done what damage he could, eager to prove himself right.
“We’re almost at the hospital,” James said, sounding relieved.
“Relax,” she said, and as it turned out, her words were a reminder to herself. The next contraction hit with unexpected severity, and she drew in a deep breath trying to control the pain.
“Summer!”
“I’m fine,” she said breathlessly.
James pulled into the emergency entrance at Virginia Mason Hospital and raced around the front of the car. He opened the door, unsnapped the seat belt and lovingly helped her out.
Someone rolled a wheelchair toward her, and while Summer sat and answered the questions in Admitting, James parked the car.
She was on the maternity floor when he rejoined her, looking pale and harried.
“Stop worrying,” she scolded him.
James dragged a chair to the side of her bed and slumped into it. “Feel my heart,” he said and placed her hand over his chest.
“It feels like a machine gun,” Summer said, smiling. She moved her hand to his face and cupped his cheek.
“I need you so much,” James whispered.
Summer couldn’t speak due to a strong contraction. James clasped her hand and talked to her in soothing tones, urging her to relax. As the pain ebbed, she kept her eyes closed.
When she opened them, she found James standing by the hospital bed, studying her. She smiled weakly and he smiled in return.