Frederic heard harried footsteps just outside his window as he was bidding a customer goodbye and he frowned as a woman- one he faintly recognized, but how? -burst into his shop with a worried expression.

"Miss Calloway," she panted. "Something's wrong with her."

At once, Frederic was up from his chair and half-out the door when he remembered his coat. He doubled back, snatched it from its hook, and took off, handing the woman (who he know remembered as Karen's neighbor, the one who often looked after her kids) the keys to his shop with a quick plea for her to lock up and drop the key off at Karen's when she could. Knowing she probably needed a rest after hurrying here, Frederic left with a hurried thank you for getting him and took off down the street. He didn't much care for the stares passerby gave him, his only priority right now was getting to Karen. His lungs started to burn, but he ignored the ache and sprinted on, coming to the yellow house in a matter of seven minutes (he knew because he'd been glancing at his watch every few seconds on the way). The door was half-open and he hurried inside, not even bothering to take off his coat.

He could hear the babies crying and his worry grew. What was so wrong with Karen that she wasn't tending to the children she adored so much? He searched around and found the bedroom in a few seconds' time- and when he saw Karen, holding herself and trembling on the bed, he rushed to her side, reaching out to gently touch her hand and shoulder, careful not to spook her. "Karen? Karen, can you hear me? What happened? I'm here, darling, I'm here."