By now, everyone had become experts.
Not medical experts.
Not childbirth experts.
Alankrita experts.
Mrs. Kapoor could identify her hunger level by looking at her face.
Mrs. Higgins somehow knew exactly when she needed tea.
Mrs. Finch in the library monitored her walking speed more carefully than overdue books.
Professor Thorne had started ending classes with:
"Miss Alankrita, if labor begins during my lecture, I would appreciate twenty seconds warning."
The class laughed every time.
He never smiled while saying it.
Which somehow made it funnier.
Sara had a hospital bag permanently prepared near the front door.
Three sweaters.
Two blankets.
One elephant plush toy.
Emergency snacks.
And apparently six different varieties of baby socks.
Her friends had developed an emergency response plan.
Oliver would drive.
Sam would call Dr. Ellis.
Chloe would inform everyone.
Porter would update the university group.
Mei Lin would stay beside Alankrita.
Elara would argue with anyone who slowed the process down.
The entire university was waiting.
Especially Baby Pumpkin.