Is this destiny?

Emma bit her lower lip guiltily. Since she married Charlie, she got immersed in the drama with the Smith family, with the rest of her time split between her work and Charlie, and she neglected her own brothers. And it's not that she only neglected them, but she also believed that they turned bad. First, she assumed that they became corrupted by the sudden power and wealth, and that they will act against her when she discloses her intention to get into Nero Armi business… and now she didn't know that her brothers have crushes. For a whole year.

It's not unusual that Emma didn't know about crushes. After all, when does a sister know everything about her brothers? But Sarah knew about the crushes and Angelo knew that Sean and Ryan will welcome Emma with arms open wide and that only told Emma how others are paying more attention to her brothers than she does.

Emma grew up taking care of Mike, Ryan, and Sean, and in the last few days, she realized that she failed by neglecting her big-sister role. She went to Sicily with an intention to take over, yet she returned with the knowledge of how much she slacked.

"Emma… Come to the medical room."

JoAnna's voice pulled Emma out of her thoughts. "What? Why?"

JoAnna gestured below Emma. "You either peed yourself or your water broke."

"Oh, oh…", Emma said while glancing down. She was so consumed in her thoughts that she didn't notice. Actually, she was aware that she was wet, but she assumed that it's the sweat from dancing.

Charlie bolted to his feet. "Oh, God!"

JoAnna rolled her eyes and tried not to laugh. Charlie was pale like a sheet of paper and staring at the puddle that was below Emma's chair. Between Emma with her amniotic sac broken and Charlie, it seemed that Charlie had more need for medical assistance.

"Jeff, Felix…", JoAnna called. "Take care of Charlie. Aiden, call the ambulance. We should go to the hospital."

"Is there a safe hospital here?", Aiden asked, and everyone paused before looking at Charlie.

Emma planned her delivery in LA Medical Center. Because of her identity as Smith, and Charlie being the father, they would close off the whole floor and place their people as security. They can't go into a random hospital and demand to seal off the floor and use personal security. Now what?

JoAnna didn't want to spend time on technicalities because the baby was coming, regardless of what arrangements they made. JoAnna called Imani and Jamari to join her. The two of them are her assistants at work and in medicine. She also called Oni and Nala to join, as they are very proficient medics as well. Actually, many other kids could help, but more than that would be crowding the place.

Seeing that no one is able to decide on the next move, JoAnna waved to get everyone's attention. "I'm taking Emma to the medical room to check her condition. Once I know something, I will let you know. In the meantime, you can figure out a hospital that is safe and suitable for our needs. If you don't come up with anything, she can deliver her baby here. We have here all the equipment and qualified people so…", JoAnna turned to Charlie. "Whenever you snap to your senses, it's up to you to decide if you want us to take Emma somewhere or not. If not, you can change into scrubs and join us in the delivery room. Do you want to cut the cord?"

Charlie blinked and JoAnna shook her head helplessly. He was obviously non-responsive.

"Men…", she mumbled and turned to Sarah and Sophia. "Maybe you should decide where the delivery will happen. And try to wake him out of his daze before the baby comes."

Charlie saw that Emma was walking away with JoAnna and he followed robotically.

"Where are you going?", Felix asked while grabbing Charlie's shoulder to prevent him from walking after Emma.

"I'm going to have a baby.", Charlie said matter-of-factly.

Felix shook his head in disapproval. "Didn't you hear that Anna will check on her and let us know the progress? Until then, you need to figure out if Emma will give birth here or if we will take her to a hospital."

Charlie frowned and nodded solemnly.

"Do you have a safe hospital in the area?", Aiden asked. Since Charlie didn't respond, Aiden continued: "We have a trustworthy hospital in Austin, but that might be far away, and Los Angeles is even further."

Charlie shook his head while trying to focus on what Aiden said. But his brain refused to cooperate and the only thing he could think of was Emma. "Do you think that Anna can do this?"

Jeff was insulted by the insinuation that JoAnna is not capable to deliver a baby. "She fixed your legs. Compared to that, delivering a baby is a child's play."

Charlie smiled nervously. In this rush, he forgot that JoAnna operated on his legs. Charlie remembered that JoAnna is not just a surgeon, she is the woman who can make miracles with her science. If anyone can deliver his baby safely, that is JoAnna.

"Let's do this here.", Charlie decided after a second. "I want to confirm some details with Emma…"

Charlie went into the medical room and found Emma on the exam table with JoAnna checking the baby's position with ultrasound.

"She is dilated 3cm and the baby is in the right position…", JoAnna said to Charlie. "If you want to move Emma to a hospital, I suggest you do it right away and I hope that the hospital is close by."

Charlie took Emma's hand in his and looked at her seriously. "I believe that Anna can do it. What do you say?"

Charlie's words made JoAnna, Imani, Jamari, Nala, and Oni freeze. Everyone was looking at Emma expectantly.

Emma's eyes darted from Charlie to JoAnna. "What about the hospital?"

"There is none nearby with the required security. To get things in place, it will take a few hours, and I'm not sure if we have them. Instead of scrambling with hospital protocols and hoping that baby will wait, I suggest that we welcome our baby girl here."

Emma nodded in agreement. If anyone believes in JoAnna's medical skills, that is Emma. Considering all that JoAnna knows, Emma is confident that JoAnna can handle anesthesia and the c-section if necessary. Sure, Emma hoped for a natural delivery, but she wanted to be ready in case of emergency.

"Alright.", JoAnna said when she saw that Emma agreed. She was touched to see that Emma trusts her so much. They did many surgeries together, but this is about delivering a baby, a new life, Emma's baby. It's personal.

JoAnna started instructing. "Nala and Imani, help Emma change into a hospital gown, the opening should be at the back. Jamari, show Charlie to the room next door where he can change into scrubs… and you change as well. Oni, ask Sarah for some extra towels…"

"I will be back in a minute…", Charlie said to Emma and kissed her forehead before walking out with Jamari.

"Oni, can you tell Sean and Ryan that I will have my baby here?", Emma asked. "They can contact dad and mom…"

Within minutes, they were all dressed up and ready to deliver the baby.

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