Jeff caught up with them as they headed up to a room. Meg got onto an examination bed and Jeff and the nurse checked her out while Luc paced. Jeff caught his eye and then looked over towards a chair. Luc sat.
“Okay Meg, I guess these babies decided to arrive a little early. Your waters did break and while you aren’t feeling any labor pains right now, you may very soon. Get comfortable and we’ll monitor you from time to time,” said Jeff.
“Am I going to have the babies naturally?” Meg asked.
“I don’t see why not. They’re in place and everything looks fine. If you want any painkillers, just holler,” he said and smiled as the nurses came in to attach monitors and bring in extra pillows.
“Honey, you just relax. Birthing babies is hard work. Rewarding, but hard work. Sleep while you can and if you’re uncomfortable, move around until you are. If you want a soak, we have a birthing pool,” said one nurse.
“Thanks. I’m just nervous,” said Meg.
“We all are,” said the second nurse. “Especially the dads.”
Meg looked over at Luc who was tapping his fingers on his leg trying to sit still.
“Luc, call Ginny and Angie. Let them know what’s happening and cancel your appointments for the afternoon,” she said.
“Oh. Yeah. Forgot all about that,” said Luc. “I’ll be just a second.” He stood up and left the room to make his calls.
Meg got settled in and then tried to rest. She wasn’t really sleepy, but she knew this was far from over.
Ginny picked up the phone. “Alpha Wolf…” was as far as she got before Luc’s voice and message interrupted her. “Oh! Oh god! Oh my!” said Ginny. “Yes, we’ll take care of things! Love to you both!” she said and hung up the phone. She ran down to Patrick’s office.
Patrick wondered what was going on that had Ginny running. “Gin, what’s the matter?” he asked.
“Nothing! The babies are coming!” she said much louder than she meant.
Patrick smiled. “Guess we’d better take care of things and clear the deck then,” he said. “Did you get a chance to tell Luc about Sam?”
“Yes, but I don’t know if he had time to tell Meg. Apparently her waters broke about the same time we hung up,” said Ginny.
“Oh. Okay. This is one hell of a day then,” said Patrick.
“I agree. Now where is that list of techs?” she asked.
*
Luc called Angie and let her know the news. Angie promised to call Sam and let her know. He walked back into the room in a daze. His pups were coming. He felt elated and confused all at the same time. Meg was trying to nap, so he decided to relax in the chair. It was a big sturdy one, so he wasn’t too worried as he felt himself shift as he too fell asleep.
“Pups!” Wolf wanted to howl with joy. He walked over and sniffed his mate. She was asleep and the pups were quiet. He walked out of the room and checked the hall for danger. He didn’t find any, but this wasn’t his den. Not his territory. He nosed his way back into the room and curled up on the floor. “Pups!” he thought again as he went to sleep.
*
Ginny and Patrick cleared the work roster and closed down the business for the week. They both knew that work would be the last thing on anyone’s mind. Then they headed to the hospital. Cal promised to feed Fezzik and Buttercup. Peter and Kevin headed over to give ‘Solda a hand to make sure the house was clean and ready for their return after the babies were born. Ginny had also promised to call Sam, Angie and George the minute there was any news.
“Where are you headed?” Ginny asked Patrick when they didn’t turn towards the hospital.
“Our favorite burger joint. I’m picking up food for Luc. You and I both know he has totally forgotten about eating. Last thing we need is a worried hungry new father,” said Patrick.
Ginny nodded and laughed.
Forty minutes later, they pulled into the hospital parking lot. Ginny grabbed the bag full of burgers and they headed inside. It didn’t take long to figure out where Meg was. Luc was outside the door pacing.
“Hey Luc, how is Meg doing?” asked Ginny.
“She’s dilated and Jeff is checking things out. I got told to leave the room,” said Luc.
Ginny looked at Luc. “Were you growling?” she asked.
Luc went red around the ears. “I can’t help it!” he said.
“Dad was never good around Mom when she was in labor either,” said Patrick. “How about you eat some of this food we brought you.” He handed the bag to Luc.
Luc looked into the bag and smiled. “Oh man, just what I needed,” he said as he sat down and started to devour a burger.
“Figured you might be hungry. We’ve got work taken care of and ‘Solda’s cleaning house with Kevin and Peter. Oh, and we’ve called all the gossips so that they will pass out the news as it happens,” teased Patrick.
Luc laughed around a mouthful and nodded. He knew that once a few people knew, the whole pack or family would know in minutes. He finished off the first burger and started on a second one.
Ginny slipped into the room as Luc ate and Patrick kept him occupied. She waved at Meg who was holding onto a nurses hand as Jeff was poking and prodding.
“Don’t just stand there,” said Martha from the other side of Meg. “Come hold her hand while I get some circulation back in mine.”
Ginny laughed and walked around to the far side. “How’s it going Meg,” she said.
“Tired. Felt better, and oh do they mean labor when they call it labor,” Meg gasped. She panted through a contraction.