**Chapter 1: The Unexpected News**

Dorothy gripped Lucas's arm tightly, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and panic. "Lucas, I think it's happening," she said, her voice trembling. They were stuck in traffic, crawling along the congested roads, and she could feel the contractions getting stronger by the minute. Lucas glanced at her, concern etched on his face. "We're almost there, honey. The hospital is just a few blocks away," he said, trying to reassure her. But Dorothy knew better. She could feel the pressure building, the pain intensifying. This was not going to be a normal delivery. They had been planning this for months, taking prenatal classes, setting up the nursery, and preparing for the arrival of their baby. But nothing had prepared them for this. The traffic was going to make it impossible to get to the hospital on time. Dorothy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She had been having contractions for hours, but they had been manageable. This one, however, was different. It was like a tidal wave of pain, washing over her and refusing to recede. "Lucas, I think we're going to have to do this somewhere else," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Lucas's eyes snapped to hers, alarm written across his face. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tight with worry. "I mean, I don't think we're going to make it to the hospital," she replied, her eyes welling up with tears. Lucas's face went white as he quickly scanned their surroundings. They were stuck in traffic, surrounded by other cars, with no way to get to the hospital quickly. Lucas pulled out his phone and started dialing. "I'll call Rose, Blanche, and Sophia. They can help us," he said, trying to stay calm. Dorothy nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Their friends would know what to do. As Lucas waited for someone to pick up, Dorothy felt another contraction wash over her. This one was even stronger than the last. She cried out, her body tensing up. "I've got you, Dorothy," Lucas said, pulling her close. "We're going to get through this." But as he looked around, he knew they were running out of time. They were going to have to deliver this baby at their friend's house, and fast.