She had already been taken up to the fifth floor. When he got there, the first person he saw was Dr. Caruso.

“All is well,” Caruso told him reassuringly. “I had her taken straight up—she’s actually dilating pretty fast.”

“She shouldn’t have gone into the office, should she?”

The doctor shrugged. “You know your wife. Though unless there’s a problem, active women often have babies with greater ease.” He grinned. “I might have preferred a less hurried schedule than this.”

“At least you didn’t have to deliver the baby in the Branch & Cabell conference room. Be grateful for that.”

“True. So, Maggie says you’re coming into the delivery room.”

“I have to.”

“It’s not obligatory.”

“No, actually, I have to.” Gorham smiled. “I’ll explain later.”

“We’ll need to get you suited up then,” said Caruso. “The nurse will give you the scrubs, and if you’re wearing a watch, take it off. In the meantime, her room’s just over there, second door.”

As he looked at Maggie, a great wave of affection passed over him.

“Hi. I brought the bag. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Maggie said brightly. “No problem.”

She was a little bit scared. But only he would have known it.

“Bit of an interruption to your meeting,” he joked. “You couldn’t ask the baby to reschedule?”

“I guess not.” She smiled. “Obstinate like his mother.”

“Did you call your mom and dad?” Her parents had retired to Florida recently.

“Yes. I promised to call again, afterward. And you?”

Gorham’s mother lived in Florida too.

“I didn’t have time yet.”

A nurse appeared with pale blue scrubs. Gorham put them on. He wondered what to do with his watch. He didn’t want to leave it in the room, he’d rather keep it with him. The scrubs had a pocket, so he put the watch in there.

Dr. Caruso came back and examined the patient. A big smile.

“Well, well. You don’t waste any time. I’ll return shortly.”

Gorham went to Maggie’s side and took her hand.

“All right?”

Maggie had refused an epidural. Typical Maggie. She was going to do it all herself, without help, in her own way.

“Okay,” said Gorham. He went to the foot of the bed and looked at her severely. “I guess it’s time you learned how to breathe.”

The first breathing lesson had taken place three months ago. Husbands and wives were supposed to go together, so that they could learn to practice as a team. It was all part of being a modern husband and father, and he was fine with that. They’d gathered in a little conference room at the hospital. He and another father got there first. The nurse who was giving the class arrived a couple of minutes afterward. Then they waited.

After five minutes, the nurse asked where their wives were. After ten she started to get cross. The other man, a small, balding guy of about his own age, sighed and looked at him.

“What’s your wife do?”