**Chapter 7: Blanche's Quick Thinking**

Blanche's voice was calm and reassuring as she spoke to the 911 operator, providing their address and a brief description of the situation. Lucas listened, feeling a mix of emotions: panic, worry, and guilt. He had never felt so helpless in his life, unable to protect the woman he loved. As Blanche finished the call, she turned to Lucas and said, "The ambulance will be here in about 10 minutes. Let's try to keep Dorothy comfortable until then." She gently took the baby from Lucas and began to examine Dorothy's condition. Lucas nodded, still feeling panicked, but trying to focus on the present moment. He looked down at Dorothy, her face pale and clammy, and felt a pang of fear. He gently stroked her hair, trying to stay calm. Blanche quickly got up and grabbed some pillows and blankets from the nearby couch. She carefully positioned them under Dorothy's head and body, trying to keep her comfortable. Lucas watched, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Blanche for taking charge. The baby, still crying, was swaddled in Blanche's arms. Lucas looked at the little one, feeling a mix of emotions: joy, love, and worry. He had never felt so overwhelmed in his life. Blanche handed Lucas a warm blanket, saying, "Here, try to keep her warm." Lucas wrapped the blanket around Dorothy's body, trying to keep her warm and comfortable. As they waited for the ambulance, Lucas couldn't help but think about the events of the night. They had come to Blanche's house for a quiet evening, and now...now they were in the midst of a medical emergency. The minutes ticked by, feeling like hours. Lucas looked at Blanche, who was trying to calm the baby. "How's the baby?" he asked, his voice shaking. Blanche smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "The baby is fine," she said. "A little loud, but that's to be expected." Lucas nodded, feeling a sense of relief. He looked down at Dorothy, still unconscious, and felt a pang of worry. What if she didn't wake up? What if something went wrong? Blanche seemed to sense his thoughts, and she put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "She's going to be okay, Lucas," she said. "We just need to get her to a hospital." The sound of sirens echoed in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. Lucas looked up, his heart racing with anticipation. The ambulance was on its way. As they waited, Lucas held Dorothy's hand, trying to stay strong for her, for the baby, and for himself. He whispered softly, "Please, baby, come back to me." The words were a prayer, a plea for her to wake up, to be okay. The sirens grew louder, and Lucas knew that help was on the way. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. They were going to get through this, together.