“I mean exactly what you think I mean. And I think we’d better hurry.”

<20>

Less than a minute later, they had gathered up their coats and boots and they were headed for the stairs, Norman on one side of Andrea and Hannah on the other. Luckily, Delores was dancing with Winthrop and she failed to notice the exodus of her pregnant daughter, her eldest daughter, and her dentist.

Michelle was talking to Lonnie, who was still manning the front door to discourage anyone who might be foolish enough to brave a blizzard. Hannah called out to Michelle as they helped Andrea up to the final stair.

Michelle’s face paled as she caught sight of Andrea. “Is it …”

“Yes,” Hannah told her. “Norman and I are taking Andrea to the hospital in Mike’s Hummer. I need you to do a few things for us here.”

“Anything. What?”

“We need you do deal with Mother. She’s bound to guess what’s happening when she realizes that we’re gone. You have to convince her to stay here and not try to get to the hospital?”

“Mother would drive to hospital in a blizzard?”

“Absolutely,” Andrea gave a little grin. “She wants to be the first one to see her namesake.”

Michelle looked stunned. “You mean …you’re going to name the baby Delores?”

“I said I would if the baby was a girl. But that won’t happen.”

“It won’t? How do you know that?”

“I had the test. And since it’s a boy, I can get full credit for offering, and I don’t actually have to do it.”

“Nice,” Michelle said. “Don’t worry about a thing here. I’ll make sure Mother doesn’t get within fifty feet of a motor vehicle.”

“There’s one other thing you can do. If she’s too excited to take charge of Tracey, will you do it?”

“Of course I will!” Michelle reached out to give Andrea a little hug. “This is so exciting. I get to be an aunt again!”

Hannah turned to Lonnie. “Will you help us get Andrea out to Mike’s Hummer? It rides pretty high off the ground, and she might need a boost up. Michelle can guard the door until you get back.”

With Lonnie helping, it didn’t take long to load Andrea in the backseat of the Hummer. The moment he’d run back inside, Hannah turned to Norman and held out the keys. “Do you want to drive?”

“You do it. I’ll ride in the back with Andrea.”

“But don’t you want to drive a Hummer?”

“Sure, but not as much as I want to see the expression on Mike’s face when you tell him you drove.”

Hannah could hear Andrea panting as she started the engine and pulled away from the curb into the swirling blanket of white snow that awaited them. “What are you doing back there?”

“Panting. It slows down labor. I’m just glad Norman’s here with me.”

“Why?”