BOYS TO BE PROUD OF

By Canadagal

“Station 51, Captain Stanley Speaking,” came the formal voice on the phone. 

“Hi, Cap, it’s Laurie Gage, is Johnny there?” she asked.

“Sure hang on a second. Gage, phone for you,” he said, holding out the phone.

“Hello,” Johnny said , grabbing the receiver.

“Hi, sweetie” Laurie warmly greeted her husband, “I just wanted you to know that I am off to the park with the kids.  Beth and Joanne are going shopping and I am taking the kids to the park for the afternoon.  I should be home around 4 or so,” she said.

“What did the doctor say today?” Johnny asked.

“Everything looks good.  Baby is doing great.  4 more weeks and we should finally get to see this little one,” she said, patting her stomach.

“Well you drive carefully and call when you get home,” Johnny said.

“Okay, hun, talk to you later.  Thomas, Chris, Jen, Sarah and I will have fun”  she laughed, “good practice for me I think”

“You don’t over do it.  Make sure the boys help with the heavy stuff okay,” Johnny said, firmly.

“Don’t worry we are going to the park for a picnic and play catch.  We’re only going to be gone till 4 o’clock so don’t worry so much.    What could happen,” She joked as she hung up the phone.

Johnny returned to the table to finish his coffee. 

“Everything okay with Laurie?” Roy asked.

“Oh yeah it’s fine.  She is taking your kids and Mike’s kids to the park for the afternoon.  She said Beth and Joanne are going shopping,” Johnny explained.

“Yeah they are getting stuff ready for the baby shower this weekend,” Mike explained.  “Is she sure she's ready to handle 4 kids?  That’s a real handful.”

“I am sure she will be fine. If she can run an emergency department with unruly patients and staff she can handle 4 kids,”  Johnny joked.

The tones broke up their banter as the station was dispatched out to a MVA.  They pushed the thoughts of the kids and their park trip out of their minds as they rushed to the rescue.

Laurie and the kids made their way to the park.  It was a beautiful summer day and the kids were excited to be out playing.  The Chris and Thomas had brought their baseball gloves to play some catch.  Jennifer had brought her dolls so she could play with Auntie Laurie and the baby, Sarah, who was only 6 months old didn’t offer much up in the way of entertainment.  The group had a wonderful time at the park. 

They played for a couple hours before Laurie gathered them together to have lunch.  They sat cooperatively and ate the sandwiches and fruit that was brought.  The baby was fed and changed and started to nap in the warm afternoon sun.  Chris and Thomas were anxious to get back to their game so they hurried through their meal.

“Slow down, boys, it’s not a race,” Laurie scolded them gently. 

“Sorry, Aunt Laurie,” Chris apologized as he started to eat his food with a little more restrain.  Finally Laurie took pity on them and said, “Okay fine, just go and play.  You two pout almost as well as your Uncle Johnny,” she laughed.

The two grinned back at her as they put their wrapping in the trash and ran back with their gloves and ball.  The afternoon started winding down and Laurie called the boys back over.  Jennifer had already packed up her toys and was helping put the baby stuff in the diaper bag.

“Chris, Thomas it’s time to go,” she said, “Your moms are expecting us back around 4.”

The two boys ran back over to the picnic blanket and helped put things back in the cooler.  Chris being the total gentlemen, reached out his arm to help Laurie up.  Being 8 months pregnant made it awkward to up off the ground by herself.  “Thanks, Chris,” she smiled as she mussed up his hair.

“Aww, my dad said to be a gentleman and help,” he explained.  “Well I will tell you dad you were a perfect gentleman today,” Laurie smiled back.  Soon the group was heading across the field back to the car.  They loaded everything in the vehicle, secured the baby in her car seat and were just about to leave when a very large man came running up to Laurie’s window.  He pounded on it.  “Got any money?” he demanded. 

“Go away,” she said, nervously, thankful that the windows were up and the doors were locked.  She started the vehicle and put it into drive as the man kept smashing at her window.  He was in a rage.  “Give me your money,” he kept yelling as she put her foot on the gas pedal and took off.  The man was incensed.  He ran to his vehicle, which was a dilapidated old piece of junk.  He gunned his engine and started to follow her out of the parking lot.  She pulled into the road and headed off, keeping an eye of the man in the rear view mirror.

“Make sure your seatbelts are fastened properly,” she directed, as she gave her own a re-assuring tug. 

The man in the vehicle behind her was inching closer and closer to her bumper as he accelerated his car more and more.  Laurie was watching both the mirror and the road ahead, praying that she would find some help somewhere.

“What is that idiot doing?” Chris said, nervously as he saw the car behind get even closer to the back of Laurie’s.

“He’s going to hit us.  Go faster, Aunt Laurie,” Thomas said, his voice rising.

“I am doing my best, boys,” Laurie said, as her heart was racing.  The road had several twists and turns as they made their way back towards a more populated area.  The vehicle behind was determined to catch them.  He pulled up along side them and motioned for Laurie to pull over.  She shook her head vehemently, as she pushed the pedal down harder on the gas.  ‘please God let me get these kids out of here’ she said silently in prayer.

The vehicle was closing in on her again as she swung another corner.  His bumper was only inches from hers as they both went around the corner.  As the two cars tapped each other they both fishtailed.  Laurie’s vehicle went down the right embankment, the other vehicle went down the left. The vehicle down the left embankment exploded on impact with a tree.  Laurie’s vehicle traveled a long ways down the bank, knocking plants, shrubs, and other debris on its way.  Laurie fought as hard as she could to control the vehicle.

“Put your hands over your faces and heads on your laps,” she screamed at the kids as she felt her car leave the road.  The impact at the bottom as sharp and sudden as the occupants in the car were all knocked unconscious from the jolt.

Back at the station, the crew was making their way back into the kitchen after mopping up a messy tanker vs sports car accident.  They were dirty, tired and hungry.  “It’s almost 6, who’s turn is it to make dinner?” Johnny asked.

“Yours,” came 5 voices around him. 

“Damn I forgot.  Hot dogs anyone?” he asked standing up.

“Sheesh, Gage, can’t you cook anything other than hot dogs,” Chet complained, lightly.

The phone ringing broke up what was promising to be a good verbal sparring match between the two.

“Station 51 Paramedic DeSoto,” Roy said as he answered the phone. 

“Hi, Joanne, no I haven’t heard from Laurie.  Why, isn’t she there?” Roy asked.

He held the phone away from his ear for a minute, “Johnny, what time did Laurie say she was taking the kids home today at?” Roy asked.

Johnny turned from the stove where he was starting to boil the water.  “She said she was taking them home around 4, why?” he asked.

“Joanne says they aren’t home yet,” Roy explained.

“That’s strange, maybe they are over at Mike’s place and forgot to phone?” Johnny offered as a viable answer.

“Beth is still at my place.  They were going to have a barbeque together this evening,” Roy continued.

“Well I am not sure.  I guess they could have lost track of time,” Johnny deduced, but not really convinced himself.

“Did you try calling the ranch?  Maybe Laurie decided to take the kids there instead and they are still out riding or something?”  Roy asked.  “oh you called there too.  Well give it another half an hour and then call us back.  Maybe they were having so much fun they talked Laurie into staying longer.  We all know how convincing Chris and Thomas can be when they get into playing catch,” Roy said lightly.

After Roy hung up the phone he returned to the table.  Johnny mechanically started to make supper but he was not focusing on the task at hand.  Everyone kept looking at the phone willing it to ring.

Mike got up and started to set the table.  He couldn’t stand being still at that moment.  When the phone rang 20 minutes later Mike practically yanked it off the wall.  “Station 51, Engineer Stoker,” he said hurriedly.  “Beth calm down, I am sure they are fine.  There has to be a reasonable explanation for this,” Mike said, trying to soothe his emotional wife.  “I know you only sent stuff for one meal. I am sure Laurie is perfectly capable of making a bottle if she needed to.  Yes we are going to fine them.  They are going to be fine.  We will call if we hear anything”.  Mike hung up the phone.

When Johnny put the food on the table everyone just stared at it.  No one had an appetite to eat. 

Johnny couldn’t sit still.  He kept walking around the kitchen, wiping the counter.  Putting things away, basically just trying to keep his hands occupied.

“Why doesn’t that damn phone ring?” he said, as he slammed the dish cloth into the sink.

Back in the vehicle everyone was slowly coming around.  “Jenn, Thomas, Auntie Laurie,” Chris said, as he tried to shake the fuzziness out of his head.

“Chris, you okay?” Jenn asked as she sat up.  “Yeah I think so.  Thomas you okay?” Chris looked over at his best friend.  “I am ok.  I bumped my foot but I think it’s okay.  How about Auntie Laurie?” Thomas asked, looking towards the front seat.

Chris climbed over the seat and saw Laurie with her head back against the head rest.  She was slowly blinking her eyes.  “Chris?” she said, still trying to focus.  As the reality of what was going on came back into her mind she tried to sit up quickly.  “Thomas, Jen, Sarah you all okay?” she asked anxiously.

“I think we are fine, Auntie Laurie.  Sarah is a little smelly but she is fine too,” Jenn said.

“How about you, Auntie Laurie, are you okay?” Chris asked.  “That was quite a bump we had and you are so pregnant,” he reasoned.

“You sound more and more like your dad everyday, Chris,” Laurie smiled.  “I think I broke my wrist, ” she said, holding her left hand gingerly.  I,” she paused, as a pain shot through her abdomen,  “I think we could have a problem though”

Thomas had climbed over the front seat to join Chris.  He had a swollen foot, but other than that was only marked with a few minor cuts and bumps.  “What’s the matter?” he asked, his voice quivering slightly.

“I think the baby is coming, ” Laurie said, fighting to stay calm for the kids.

“You can’t do that here.  Uncle Johnny and Daddy aren’t here to help, ” Jennifer said, her voice almost hysterical. 

“Well, Jenny, the baby doesn’t know they aren’t here, ” Laurie said, biting her lip, “and I think this baby wants to come out to visit soon,” she panted.

“What are we going to do?” Chris said nervously.  "We don’t know what to do”

“Chris, Thomas I am going to need your help, ” Laurie explained.

“We can’t help.  We’re only kids.  That’s a grown up thing, ” Thomas said apprehensively.

“I know boys, and normally I would never ask for your help, but you two are the men at the moment and I need you to help, ” Laurie said, trying to boost their wavering confidence.

“We don’t know what to do, ” Chris said, scared.

“I will help you, ” Laurie explained.  “This baby is very anxious to come out and I can’t stop it”

“Are you sure?  Can’t you make it wait until later? ” Thomas asked, hopeful.

“No kiddo, doesn’t work like that, ” Laurie laughed lightly.  “Once they decide to come, there is no stopping them.”

Laurie looked around for a blanket to help cover herself up. She had to settle for an old coat of Johnny’s that was on the back of the seat.  She bit her lip as she explained how the baby was going to be born.  She tried to keep the explanation as simple as she could but knew that no matter what she said it was going to be very intimidating to the boys.

“Jen, I want you to keep an eye on Sarah.  I don’t want you to be up here at all.  Chris and Thomas are the only ones, okay sweetie, ” Laurie said, firmly. ‘I don’t need her to have to see this yet’ she decided.

Chris and Thomas were both white as sheets as they realized what they were going to have to do.  The contractions were now almost one after the other.  “Okay boys time to find out if you were paying attention, ” Laurie joked as she held her breath, as a wave of pain shot over her.

“Chris, can you see the head of the baby, or hair?” Laurie asked. 

“It’s gross, Auntie Laurie. I can’t do this, ” he said, almost in a whine.

“Chris, listen to me, you have to.  This baby will die if we don’t help it.  I need you to help me, ” Laurie said, her fear showing in her voice.

Chris bit hard on his lip and set his jaw like Roy does.  Thomas put a re-assuring hand on Chris’s arm,  “We have to do this, ” he said, as he grabbed the blankets from the diaper bag as Laurie had told him.

“Okay I see the baby’s head, ” Chris said, finally sucking in his courage.

“Okay on this contraction I need you to gently guide the head, ” Laurie said, as she pushed hard.  Chris did as he was told and slowly manipulated the baby.

“The head is out.  Now what, where’s the rest of it?”

Laurie had to smile, “Its’ coming, Chris, believe me.  On the next push put your hands inside and try to make the shoulders come out.”

“Its so messy and stuff.  Oh, Auntie Laurie, ” Chris complained.  Laurie couldn’t speak at that moment because another contraction washed over her.  She pushed down hard and Chris and Thomas both put there hands around the baby’s head and Chris slowly guided the baby out.  “It’s here, oh my god it’s here, ” Thomas said excitedly. 

 “Now turn the baby on its side so that the stuff in its mouth can fall out.  It will clear its airway, ” Laurie explained.   Thomas held the baby on its side as Chris took the blanket like he was told to and wiped the stuff away from the mouth and nose. 

“Okay, Chris give him a tap on the bottom, ” Laurie said, tiredly.  “Won’t I hurt him?” Chris asked.

“Him?” Laurie said surprised, “it’s a boy? And no you won’t hurt him.  It will get his lungs going”

Chris tapped the baby on the bottom and a very healthy cry could be heard in the car.  Laurie sat back and sighed.  “Thank god, ” she said.  Chris laid the baby on Laurie’s stomach gently as Laurie continued to wipe the baby up.  “Okay just cover me up as best you can and the baby and I will be fine, ” Laurie said, putting her head back against the window.

“I am so proud of you two.  That was a very grown up thing you guys did, ” Laurie said, weakly, as she put her head back.  She was exhausted from her whole ordeal.

“What are we going to do now?” Thomas asked, looking outside.  No one is going to find us here, ” he said, logically.

“Auntie Laurie, what do we do?” Chris asked, giving her a gentle shake.

Chris and Thomas stared outside.  “We are going to have to get some help.  They aren’t going to find us down here, ” Chris said.

“Yeah I know.  We are going to have to climb up and find help, ” Thomas agreed nervously.  

When Laurie opened her eyes again, Chris and Thomas told them their idea.  She was reluctant at first but agreed that there probably was no other option. 

“What about leaving you alone, are you going to be okay,” Thomas said, concerned.

“Thomas, Chris – I have Jennifer to help me.  I know you need you to do this, ” she whispered. 

Chris and Thomas swallowed hard, and looked at each other. “We can do this.  We have to, ” Chris said firmly.  He whispered to Thomas,  “I think Auntie Laurie really needs help bad”

Thomas nodded that he understood.  Thomas climbed into the back seat and tended to his little sister.  He changed her diaper and gave her a drink of juice.  Then he re-buckled her back in the seat.  The fresh pants and drink settled the baby down and she stopped fussing. 

“Jennifer, you are going to have to watch this baby.  Auntie Laurie isn’t very awake right now.  Make sure the baby doesn’t move too much” he said,  “But don’t pull on that cord thingy, Auntie Laurie said to leave it all attached” Chris said, making sure Jennifer nodded her head in understanding.

“I am scared, Chris.  I don’t want you to go, ” Jennifer whined.

“I am here, Jen, don’t be scared, ” Laurie said, opening her eyes again.  “I wasn’t sleeping I was just resting for a minute”

Jennifer smiled, relieved that she wasn’t going to be alone.

She looked at the two boys with serious reservations, “you two be careful.  Stay together and come back as soon as you can, ” she said, worried.  “I really hate sending you out but we have no choice.”

“We will be careful and will come back as soon as we can, ” Chris said.   The pair took one last look back at the group in the car and climbed out the window they had opened.  They had already discovered that the doors were all jammed shut.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Back at the station the hours had ticked by, it was now 830 in the evening and the phone still had not rung.  Captain Stanley had requested that the station be allowed to help with the search for the missing group.  Beth Stoker and Joanne DeSoto had both come down to the station and were waiting impatiently with the others.  “If this is some kind of joke I am going to be livid” Joanne said, angrily.

“I don’t think Laurie would pull a joke like this, do you?” Mike reasoned.

“No I guess not, but where the hell are they?” Joanne complained.  “It’s 4 and a half hours past when they were supposed to be home.  I don’t understand this.  Where are they?”

Johnny kept very quiet, as he paced.   He could feel the tension in the room.  He was equally as nervous but he had no idea why they were so late.  “Something has had to have happened” Johnny said, very quietly.  “Laurie would never worry all of you like this”

“Does anyone know what park they were going to?” Marco asked.

“No clue.  I didn’t ask her.  She just said she was going to the park with the kids.  I should have asked her.  Damn it, ” Johnny cursed. 

“Well does she have any favorite places she goes, maybe we can start there?”  Hank said, calmly.  He knew at that moment that there had to be a calm voice in the room because he could see the tension in Mike, Roy and Johnny.  He knew they were all at the edge.

“She doesn’t usually go to the park.  When we ride we go on the ranch and usually we go together.  I can’t think of any place in particular she would take them, ” Johnny admitted.

“So it’s like a needle in a haystack, ” Mike said, frustrated.  He laid a map of LA County on the table.  “Where do we start?” he asked.  No one had an answer.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chris and Thomas made their way slowly up the embankment. It was a long climb and the fact that it was getting dark didn’t help at all.  It was nearly 10 at night when the boys finally reached the top of the ravine.  They looked around and saw the road was barren.  “Now what?” Thomas asked, nervously.

“Now we find a phone somewhere, ” Chris said, trying to feign confidence.

“We better make a sign or something where we came up.  I don’t want to forget where the car went down, ” Thomas said, as he took off his red baseball cap.  He took a stick and anchored it to the ground.  “There now we will be able to find this spot again, ” he decided.

“Which way?” Thomas asked.

Chris picked the direction and they headed off. It was a dark, cool night and they were both feeling the weather because they were only wearing shorts and t-shirts.  They shivered slightly as they walked. The walk took them over 30 minutes before they came to a closed gas station.  They were so relieved that there was a payphone on the side of the building.  They ran over to it.  Chris fished a dime out of his pocket and dialed the number for the station.

“Station 51, Firefighter Lopez, ”  Marco said, as he grabbed the phone, being the closest at that moment.

“Uncle Marco, it’s Chris.  We had an accident, car chased us, baby, explosion, need help, ” Chris blurted out without taking a breath.

“Calm down, Chris, let me get your dad, ” Marco said, waving Roy over.

Roy quickly grabbed the phone, “Chris, ” Roy said.

All eyes were on Roy as he spoke to his son.

“Dad, we were in an accident.  The man was chasing us.  Down the embankment,  Baby came,.  Lots of blood, gross.  Need help.  Auntie Laurie needs help, ” Chris said breathlessly.

“Chris, you need to calm down, ” Roy said, trying to settle the emotional boy.

“Now tell me again what happened?” Roy said.

Chris was so keyed up, he was finding it hard to talk, Thomas grabbed the phone.

“We were in an accident, a car chased us.  The baby came.  We put it on Auntie Laurie’s tummy.  Lots of blood.  We need to get back to Auntie Laurie.  She said we needed to get help.  Tell my dad to come and get us, ” Thomas said, his voice cracking.

“Thomas, you need to tell us where you are, ” Roy said, now trying to calm two distraught boys.

Mike rushed over to the phone, “here let me try, ” he said, taking the phone from Roy.

“Thomas, talk slow.  We need to know where you are, ” Mike said. 

Thomas looked around trying to figure out if he knew the area. “I don’t know where we are, Dad.   We are at a gas station in the middle of no where, ” Thomas said.

Chris looked closer to their surroundings.  “I need to talk to Uncle Johnny, ”  Chris said, grabbing the phone.

“John, Chris says he needs to talk to you, ” Mike said, handing Johnny the phone.  “Chris, ” Johnny said, putting the phone to his ear. 

“Uncle Johnny, we are down by that road that leads to the riding trails.  You know where those big rocks are.  We are at the gas station that we always get our pop at.  You have to hurry Uncle Johnny, Auntie Laurie needs you.  We had to help her,  the baby came.  She is so tired.  She keeps falling asleep, ” Chris said. 

“Where exactly are you from the gas station?” Johnny asked, trying to figure out exactly where they are.

“We walked about 20 minutes to get here. Thomas put his hat on a post.  Its bright red.  We have to get back.  Come quick, ” Chris said as he hung up the phone.

“Chris, wait, ” Johnny called but all he got was the dial tone.

“We have to hurry.  They are on Madison Bluff Road.  I can lead you, ” Johnny said, as he ran to the squad.

Everyone ran to the vehicles and with Johnny behind the wheel of the squad.  His heart was racing as he was running through his head what Chris said.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chris and Thomas hurried back down the road back to the landmark they had left for themselves.

It only took them a few minutes to get back there.  They climbed back down the embankment to the car.  When they climbed back inside they saw Jennifer sitting quietly with Laurie.  “She keeps falling asleep.  I couldn’t wake her up,” Jenny said, “I was so scared”

“We talked to Dad and Uncle Mike and Uncle Johnny.  They are coming to get us, ” Chris said, trying to re-assure his frightened sister.  “Now we just wait”

The 3 kids sat back and waited impatiently.  “I hope they get here soon.  It’s getting so late, ” Chris said, looking at his watch. It showed 11:15.  He knew the longer it took the colder it was going to get.  “We better cover the baby up more.  It’s getting cold, ” he said as he climbed into the back of the Rover.  He found an old blanket and dragged it up front.  He stopped to check on Sarah.  She was sleeping. He tucked a blanket around her shoulders as he climbed over the seat to the front.  “We need to keep Aunt Laurie warm.  Something about shock or something if she gets too cold.  This blanket should help, ” he said, tucking it around Laurie as much as he could. 

“Come on wake up, Aunt Laurie, talk to us, ” Jennifer said, running her hand on Laurie’s cheek.  “Please wake up”

Laurie forced herself to open her eyes again.  “Shh it’s okay, Jen.  I am just very tired.  I didn’t meant to fall asleep”.  She forced herself to sit up a little so she could check the baby.  She checked him as well as she could one handed. 

“Is he okay?” Chris asked. 

“He’s going to be fine, ” Laurie said, “after all I had two great helpers deliver him didn’t I, ” she smiled.  

“We have help on the way.  We talked to our dads and Uncle Johnny.  They are coming to help, ” Thomas said, eyeing Laurie carefully. 

“Isn’t there anything else we can do to help you. Your face is really white, ” Thomas said.  Laurie knew the reason for the pale demeanor was from the blood loss but she didn’t want to worry the kids.  “I am going to be okay.  Can you get Johnny’s backpack from the back of the car.  Maybe we can prop up my feet a little.  It might help, ” she said.

Soon they had her feet elevated and she was resting as comfortably as they could get her.  She faded off to sleep again.

“I sure hope they get here soon, ” Chris said, as he tucked the baby tighter to Laurie’s body. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Johnny drove the squad as fast as he could without losing control of it towards Madison Bluff Road.  There was no conversation between Johnny and Roy as they drove.  Everyone was so stressed they didn’t know what to say.  It was only 20 minutes later that they pulled up to the gas station that Chris and Thomas had called them from.  “This is where they called from, ” Johnny said,  “and Chris said they walked for 20 minutes from here, ” he said,  “they have to be that way, ” he pointed down the road. 

The engine and squad drove slowly down the pitch black road, looking desperately for the landmark sign that Thomas had left behind.  It was not going to be easy to find in the dark and they knew it. 

“Anything on your side?” Roy asked, craning his neck to look down the embankment.

“Nothing, damn it, ” Johnny swore.  He slammed on the brake on the squad.  “This isn’t going to work.  You drive I am going to walk along the edge.  I think it might be easier with a flashlight and on foot, ” he said.  He grabbed his flashlight from the back compartment. 

Captain Stanley walked over, “What’s up?” he asked.

“Cap, we are never going to find that marker in the dark.  I am going to walk the edge.  I think we might find it this way.  I think it might be a good idea to have someone walk the other side, ” Johnny said.

Marco and Chet both grabbed their flashlights and jumped off the engine.  They began the slow tedious task of searching the ravine a few feet at a time. Foot by foot, they searched.   

“Chris, Thomas, Jennifer, ” Everyone started to yell, hoping the kids could hear them.  Johnny finally stumbled across the post with the hat.  “Mike, ” he yelled.  Mike slammed on the engine brakes and jumped out.

“Is this Thomas’s?” he asked, hopefully.

“Yeah that’s his.  I gave it to him for his birthday, ” Mike said.  The guys walked closer to the edge of the ravine.  They ran the beam of their flashlights down the ravine.  Slowly the made a pattern across the bottom of the ravine.  Finally Roy’s light caught the taillight of the rover.  “There it is,” he yelled.

“We are going to need some ropes, ” he said, running to the squad.  In a matter of a couple minutes Roy, Johnny and Mike were heading down.  Protocol normally dictated that the engineer stayed with the rig but there was no stopping Mike from getting to his kids.  They three repelled carefully down the embankment.  They finally reached the car.

“Chris, Thomas, Jennifer, Laurie, ” Roy called into the car.

The kids had fallen asleep and were startled awake by his voice.  “Daddy, ” Jennifer cried out.

“Are you guys okay?” he asked.  “We are okay, Auntie Laurie won’t wake up, ” she said.  “She said she was tired.  “

Roy and Johnny started yanking on the door, but it wouldn’t budge.  “Cap we need a pry bar and a stokes down here, ” Johnny said,  as he started to climb in through the window.

“Laurie, ” he said, trying to contain the waver in his voice.

“About time you got here, ” she opened her eyes slowly.  “Your son was wondering when you were going to show up, ” she said, faintly.

“My son?” he said, shocked.  “Yeah he couldn’t wait any longer, ” Laurie said softly. 

“I am going to need the OB kit, ” Johnny said into the radio.  “We need to get this little guy clamped off and then you can hold him, ” Johnny said, looking down at the baby.

“Jennifer, you and Sarah okay?” Johnny asked leaning over the back seat.

“We are fine, Uncle Johnny.  Auntie Laurie had us duck real low with our seatbelts on when we started to crash, ” Jennifer explained.

In a couple minutes Chet had arrived carrying the OB kit and the pry bar. Mike quickly pulled the front and back doors open.  He picked up Sarah from her wet car seat.  Hugging her tightly as he fought to maintain his cool exterior.  The single tear on his cheek betrayed him.  He hugged his son tightly as well as relief washed over him as he saw that they both appeared to be okay.

Roy also scooped up his two kids and held them tightly, relieved that they seemed to be okay despite the accident. 

“Roy can you get on the biophone to Rampart, ” Johnny called out.  “We need to get an IV going here, ” Johnny called.  Roy was distracted at that moment with his children and didn’t hear him.  Chet grabbed the biophone and established contact.  “Rampart, this is squad 51, come in, ” Chet called.

“Go ahead, 51, this is Rampart, ” Came Dr. Brackett’s calm voice.

“Rampart, we have a female, aged 27 years old.  She is semi-conscious . She delivered a baby a few hours ago.  Stand by, ” Chet said.

He looked over at Roy.  “Roy Johnny  needs your help, ” he called.  Roy looked at his kids, “Go dad, Auntie Laurie needs you, ”  Chris said, giving him a push back towards the Rover.

Roy rushed back over to the car.  “What have we got, Johnny, ” Roy asked, as he climbed in the car. 

“Roy she’s pale, diaphoretic.  BP is 80/40, pulse 120, respiration 20, ” Johnny told him. 

“Vitals are BP 80/40, pulse 120, respiration 20.  The baby was delivered about 5 hours ago.  The umbilical cord was just tied off.  Baby seems to be fine.  There has been at least 1000 CC of blood loss that we can tell, ” Roy said.

“51, start two IV’s Ringers, wide open.  Put her on 6 liters O2 and get her in here as soon as you can, ”  Dr. Brackett said, as he ended transmission.

Johnny looked to Roy, “Can you help me with the IV’s?” he said as he lifted the baby up and wrapped him in a warmer blanket.  The healthy cry from the newborn was a welcome sound for everyone.  Johnny handed the baby to Chet as he went to start one of the IV’s.  Roy started the other.

Soon they had Laurie ready for transport.  The kids were brought up on life belts to help them on the trip up.  Johnny put Laurie in the ambulance and climbed in beside her.  The rest of the kids were transported in a second ambulance to be checked over.

The ride to Rampart was long and tedious for Johnny.  Laurie drifted in and out of consciousness.  She was concerned about the baby when she did become coherent enough to talk.  Finally the ambulance backed into the bay at the hospital.

Kel Brackett pulled the stretcher out of the ambulance and rolled it to a waiting treatment room.  “I need a set of vitals and a complete  blood work up” he called out.  The baby was removed from Johnny’s arms and taken to a warming bed to be examined.  Johnny’s eyes traveled back and forth between the treatment table and the warming bed.  Taking in the activity in both.

After a short while Kel walked over to him, “Well, Johnny congratulations you have a healthy son., ” he started, “and I think your wife is going to be fine.  She’s a little weak so we are going to give her a transfusion to help replace some of the blood loss.  After her wrist is set we are going to move her up to a room.  You are welcome to stay with her if you like, ” Kel said.

The look of pure relief was evident on Johnny’s face.  “Thanks, Doc.  Thanks a lot, ” Johnny said, shaking Kel’s hand enthusiastically.

“Why don’t you go and get some coffee while we get her settled in her room. I will come and get you in a little while”  Dixie said, gently, “and congratulations, Daddy”

“Daddy, wow, he’s finally here, ” Johnny said, shaking his head.  “Not how we planned but at least they are both healthy that’s the main thing”

Johnny headed to the lounge to get some coffee and wait for Dixie to bring him to see his family.  When he walked into the lounge he found Roy and Joanne waiting there.  “How are the kids?” Johnny asked.

“They are fine.  Dr. Early is giving them a once over.  He says they can probably all come home tonight.  No major problems at all, ” Roy said, relieved.

“How about Laurie and the baby?” Roy asked Johnny.

“Dr. Brackett said the baby is fine, and that Laurie should be okay with a transfusion and some rest” Johnny said, as he exhaled slowly.  “I can’t believe how close we came to losing them, ” Johnny ran his hand through his hair.

Soon Johnny found his way up to Laurie’s room.  She was resting and he didn’t want to disturb her.  He sat down in the chair beside her.  He looked over and watched her sleep.  Taking note of the bruise on her cheek, and the fractured wrist.  “This could have been so much worse.  God was definitely watching over you all today”

The night passed quietly as Laurie continued to sleep.  The next morning Johnny was joined by the others in the crew with their wives.  Chris, Thomas and Jennifer were also allowed in the room briefly.

“Hi, ” Johnny said, as he watched everyone file into the room.  “Laurie is just waking up, so give her a couple minutes”

Soon Laurie was feeling up to company .  “I am sorry for worrying you all yesterday, ” Laurie began.

“Can you tell us what happened?” Officer Vince Howard asked, as he made his presence know.

“I can try, ” Laurie said, as Johnny helped her sit up in the bed.  “We spent the day at the park and when 330 came we decided we better head back to get home for 400.  When we were pulling out of the parking lot this guy ran up to my window demanding money.  I had the windows and doors locked so he couldn’t get inside.  I took off from the parking lot and headed off.  He jumped into his car and followed us.  He was crazy.” Laurie paused, as Chris continued.

“Auntie Laurie tried to get away from the guy but he kept getting closer and closer to our bumper.  He even pulled up even with us at one time but Auntie Laurie got ahead of him”  . . Thomas continued, “we went around this corner and the guy rammed the back of the car,  it spun out of control. The other guy’s car went down one side of the road and we went down the other.  . . Jennifer continued, “The other car went boom and there was a loud noise”  

“We were in the car for a while, I think everyone was jarred unconscious from hitting the tree, ” Laurie continued. “When we woke up it was dusk.  I realized that we would never be found in the ravine.  We were too far down”

“That’s when Auntie Laurie made a funny sound and said the baby was coming.  She told us we had to be really brave and help her, ” Thomas explained.  “It was really scary, ” Chris admitted.  “But we had to do it, ” Thomas added.

“You two helped delivery the baby?” Mike asked, surprised. 

“We had to, Auntie Laurie told us she needed us to help” Thomas said.

“Dad I have never seen anything more amazing than that baby being born, ” Chris said, “When we had to help the baby come out it was scary but so incredible as well.  I don’t think anything in school could compare to seeing a real baby being born and knowing we were helping it, ” Thomas said, proudly, “ I think I will remember that day forever when I felt that baby wiggle in my arms for the first time and when I gave him a little smack on his bum he cried really loud.  What a feeling, ” Chris gushed. 

Roy put his arm around Chris proudly.  “I know that feeling, ” Roy nodded.

“Later when Auntie Laurie fell asleep Chris and I talked.  We knew we had to get help.  There was no way anyone was coming for us, ” Thomas explained. “We got Auntie Laurie to agree and we climbed up the hill.  We phoned you and that’s how you found us, ”  Thomas concluded.

Dixie walked in at that moment with the baby in her arms. “Here’s a little guy that would love to see his parents, ” she said, handing the little bundle to Johnny. 

“Well hi there.  I am your daddy.  I heard you had a real adventure yesterday on your birthday, ” he said, smiling down at the little boy.

“So what’s his name, Uncle Johnny?” Jennifer asked.

“Well Laurie and I have been talking and we are going to name this little guy, Christopher Thomas Gage, after the two heroes that brought him into the world.  We owe you two the life of this little guy, ” Johnny said, pulling Chris and Thomas into a warm embrace.  “We don’t know how to thank you.”

“Aww it was nothing, Uncle Johnny, ” Thomas said, embarrassed.  Chris just grinned widely.

“Guess what, Dad, I think I am going to be a paramedic when I grow up.  Delivering babies, climbing up steep cliffs, what a cool job, ” Chris grinned.

“Now I know why you guys love it, ” he said.

Thomas looked at his Dad, “Well I know that I am going to be a rescue man too, until I get to drive the rig like my dad does.  It was pretty cool, ” he admitted.

“You putting your baseball cap on the stake was a great idea.  Shows you have a real head on your shoulders, ”  Hank said, “something your dad would do.”

Mike embraced his son proudly. 

“Well today we have two bona fide heroes, ” Johnny said.

“Well I am so proud of them, ” Joanne said, hugging her son, as Beth hugged hers she said,  “Yesterday they acted like men, they took charge, did what had to be done and got everyone to safety.  You really are two boys to be proud of”