“Tell her thanks, but we’ll pass.”
“She might have learned her lesson.”
“I can’t take that chance, Dad. She and Molly hurt Jess, and I won’t set her up for it again. Especially not this close to her due date.”
“I understand. I’ll let her know.”
“I appreciate that, Dad. Are you coming to the shower this weekend?” Darby had arranged a couple’s shower but, he figured his father wouldn’t feel too out of place since Ed and Jon wouldn’t be bringing dates. Technically Sam wouldn’t either, but Holly would be there so they more or less counted as a couple.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Nate promised him. “I can’t wait until you see what I picked up for my grandbaby.”
~~~~~
Jess was trying to knit a baby blanket. She thought it would help pass the time, but it only increased her feelings of irritability and restlessness. Two weeks until the baby was due, and she knew she wouldn’t be bringing it home wrapped in this. Her fingers were clumsy, and she barely had three rows done. In frustration she threw the mess on the sofa, and started to pace.
What was wrong with her? Did all first-time mothers go through this mood, whatever this mood was? She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was that was wrong, but something definitely wasn’t right. At least during the hours Dan worked. When he was home she was fine. It was only the time he was away that was intolerable. Was that it? Was she lonely for him, or so frightened by the imminent arrival of their child that she needed his comforting presence?
Their child? When had she begun to think in those terms? Then she realized that while Frank might have been as good a father as Dan, he certainly couldn’t have been a better one. Dan was, and always would be, this child’s father. Frank couldn’t, and never would be. Perhaps it was time to put the past where it belonged. In the past. The future, her future with Dan....
A knock sounded at the door, interrupting her thoughts.
“Monica-” To say that she was shocked to see her mother-in-law on the doorstep was to put it mildly.
“I know I should have called first, but I was afraid you wouldn’t let me come. When Nate called me a little while ago to say that Dan had declined- Well, I really need to talk to you, Jess. May I come in?”
“Of course.” Jess held the door open, wondering what she was in for now. When they were inside, she asked, “Can I take your coat?” Monica shrugged out of her white spring jacket, and handed it to Jess, who hung it up and offered her coffee.
“If it’s no trouble.”
“Not at all. Why don’t you have a seat, and I’ll bring it in. I won’t be but a moment.”
“You shouldn’t be waiting on me at all in your condition,” Monica protested.
“Believe me, I can use all the exercise I can get. Make yourself at home.”
Jess hurried to the kitchen and willed her hands to stop trembling as she filled a tray with a cup of coffee and glass of milk, adding a plate of oatmeal cookies she’d baked the day before. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to face her guest.
“Good lord, let me take that,” Monica exclaimed, jumping up from the sofa when she spotted her daughter-in-law.
“Is there a problem?” Jess asked after several moment of silence. She’d taken a sip of milk, but her stomach was in knots, and she sat the glass down.
“In a way, yes.” Monica clasped her hands in her lap, staring at them intently.
“Is it Nate? Is he all right?” she asked anxiously.
“Heavens, yes. The problem is me. I’ve treated you badly, Jess, and I’m sorry. I realize now that Bruce brought everything on himself, and I was wrong to hold it against you. Can you ever forgive me?” For a moment Jess could only stare, awed by the unexpected apology.
“Of course, Monica. I know you’ve had a difficult time with everything that’s happened.”
“So did you. There is no excuse for my behavior.” She finally looked at Jess, her eyes filled with tears. “I’d like to start over. To have a chance to get to know you, and maybe be a grandmother to your child, if you’ll let me.”
“Doesn’t every child need a grandma?” she asked, wiping at her own eyes. Monica reached across the coffee table to where Jess sat in a chair, and squeezed her hand.
“And every girl needs a mom. I promise I’ll try and do better from now on.”
And then they were both crying, and hugging.
~~~~~
Seeing his mother’s car out front, Dan rushed into the house, fearing what he might find, wondering why she’d come. Nothing could have shocked him more than the sight of the two women he loved most in the world weeping, their arms wrapped round each other in a long overdue embrace. With a smile, he turned and crept to the kitchen, giving them more time alone.
He’d been prepared to write off his relationship with his mother if it were necessary. He was glad it hadn’t been. She was basically a good person. He loved her, and missed having her in his life. Whatever brought on this about-face didn’t matter. He was grateful that the two most important women in his life now seemed to be friends.
Noting that Jess hadn’t started supper yet, he picked up the phone and dialed the office number, asking to speak with his father.
“You’ve got a lot to learn about taking the afternoon off,” Nate said with a chuckle. “We haven’t had a catastrophe yet.”
“Well, something’s happening here.”
“What? Jess? Is the baby coming?” His excitement was almost comical.
“Not yet. Would you believe Mom’s here?”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
“Is she making trouble?”
“Not exactly.” He described the scene in the other room.
“Well I’ll be. I’ve been trying to talk sense into her for months. I guess something must have finally gotten through.”
“Whatever it was you said to her, I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Glad I could help.”
“I think a celebration is in order here.”
“What did you have in mind?” Nate asked.
“Dinner out. Since everyone is here but you, why don’t you run out, and we’ll find someplace in Charlotte?”
“In an hour?”
“Sounds good. I’ll let our wives know.”
“Let your wives know what?” Monica asked, when he’d hung up. Dan turned to see them both, arm-in-arm in the doorway.
“That Dad’s coming over, and we’re going out to celebrate.”
“We’re celebrating your dad coming out?” Jess asked. “He comes out all the time.”
“No, silly.” Dan crossed the room and kissed Jess, then leaned down to kiss Monica on the cheek. “We’re celebrating the fact you two are finally friends.” Jess looked in dismay at the pink sweat suit she wore.
“I think I’d better change first.”
“I don’t know. You look pretty good to me.” He draped an arm across her shoulders. “What say you, Mom?”
“It depends on where we’re going.” Dan rattled off the name of The Gavel. “Is it fancy?”
“Kind of.”
“Run and change, Jess. Not that you don’t look good, but...”
“You don’t need to say it. I’m not going anywhere in this.”
“What brought this about?” Dan asked, hugging his mother when Jess had gone.
“I guess you could say I came to my senses. She really is a sweet girl.”
“That she is. A cranky girl lately, but I love her anyway.”
“With the baby due any day, I’m not surprised she’s cranky. Be patient.” She kissed his chin. “I hope everything works out the way you want.”
“It will.” He grinned down at her. “I won’t have it any other-”
“Dan!”
Jess’s shout sent both Dan and Monica running. They stopped short when they saw Jess standing on the stairs staring helplessly at her pants, now dripping wet. Needlessly she said,
r />
“My water broke.”
CHAPTER 13
Oh no- What to do? They’d practiced for this moment for nearly two months, and everything Dan thought he’d had down to almost an art simply flew out the window. He could tell his face had gone white as he stood there like an idiot. Monica cuffed his shoulder.
“Call her doctor. And then call your father and have him meet us at the hospital.” She moved toward the steps. “Hurry up before he leaves to come out here.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to help her upstairs so she can clean up and change her clothes. Is the bag up here?”
No. It’s- It’s...” For the life of him he couldn’t remember where he’d put the bag.
“It’s in the coat closet,” Jess said with a smile, as Monica reached her side.
“That’s right. I’ll get the bag.” He turned toward the dining room.
“Dan, make those calls,” his mother reminded him, taking Jess’s arm. “We’ll be back down in a few minutes. It’s a good thing I finally worked up the courage to come out here today.”
“It sure is,” Jess agreed with a chuckle.
Dan tried hard to get a grip on himself, but now that the moment was here, he was terrified. Deep breaths. Take slow, deep breaths. Janine said it worked for pregnant women, so it surely should work for him. Jess was going to think he was a fool.
Keep breathing. That’s it. He was fine now, he thought, waiting impatiently at the foot of the stairs for his wife. He was in control again, until he saw her, and then his hands shook so badly that Monica had to drive them to Lansing. She said she was afraid he’d wreck the car, and Dan figured she probably was right.
Nate had taken the time to call Ty and Emma, and all three were waiting at the emergency room entrance when the soon-to-be parents arrived. Monica dropped them at the door, urging Jess to hurry. She’d join them once she’d parked the car.
“It’ll be all right,” Dan said, patting Jess’s shoulder all the way up to labor and delivery. “There’s no need to worry. None at all.”
Jess was biting her lip, and he wondered if it was to keep from grinning. It would serve him right given all the fun he’d poked at their classmate.
“If you’ll just wait out here,” the nurse pushing the wheelchair said, coming to a stop outside an open door, “we’ll get Mrs. Mulholland settled, and then you can come in.”
“Will you be long?” Dan asked anxiously, not wanting to let Jess out of his sight.
“No, sir. Just a few minutes. I’ll let you know when she's ready.”
“Just a few minutes,” Dan repeated, wiping his sweaty palms on his slacks, and turning to the others saying, “So stop worrying, okay. She’s going to be just fine.”
“Who are you trying to convince?” Ty asked, grinning broadly. “Us, or yourself?”
“Maybe a little of both.” He ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I didn’t think it would be this hard.”
Hours later, long after midnight, Dan had a good idea just how hard it really was – on Jess. Exhausted and pale, her contractions were getting worse, with no end in sight. Never leaving her side, he was finding it more and more difficult to watch her suffering like this.
“Here,” he said gently, offering her a spoon with an ice chip. Her lips were drying out, even though she had been given an IV.
“No.”
“Come on, sweetheart, it might make you feel better.”
“What would make me feel better is if you just shut up,” Jess snapped, groaning when another contraction started. Even knowing that laboring women tended to get ornery, it hurt that her irritation was directed at him.
“Come on, Jess, focus. Breathe.” There was nothing else he could do to help her, except talk her through the contraction. “Look at your bear.”
“Oh, God, I want an epidural,” she moaned, clutching her stomach when the pain reached its peak.
“Janine said not to make that decision in the middle of a contraction,” he reminded her, wiping her brow with a damp cloth.
“Dan?”
“What, Jess?”
“Come here, please.” He leaned near, and was shocked when she grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him down so he was nose to nose with her.
“Jess?”
“I don’t care what Janine said. I want an epidural.” Each word was emphasized slowly, and through clenched teeth. Dan looked at her, hair damp from perspiration, and her eyes blazing, and realized she meant business. Carefully, he reached up to loosen her hold.
“I’ll just go and get the nurse.”
“Try the call button, coach. You’re not leaving.”
~~~~~
It wasn’t long before the worst of the pain eased, thanks to the epidural she wished she’d asked for long before she’d caved in. She still felt some discomfort from the pressure, but it was at a tolerable level now, and her mood was much improved.
“Dan, I’m sorry,” she apologized when they were alone again.
“For what?” he asked, stroking her cheek.
“For being so nasty to you.” She cringed when she thought of it.
“Jess, you weren’t nasty.” She laughed at his diplomacy and insisted,
“I was and you know it.”
“Okay. Maybe you were a little irritable,” he conceded, “but who can blame you? You’ve held up better than I have.”
“You’re always so nice about things. I don’t know how you put up with me sometimes.”
“You really don’t know, do you?” She shook her head, and he said quietly, “Because I love you, Jess. I know it wasn’t part of our bargain, and you probably don’t want to hear it, but I love you very much.”
“Dan...” Her eyes filled with tears, and he immediately regretted his honesty.
“Look, I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. And it doesn’t have to change anything between us. Forget I even opened my mouth, okay?” Oh man, he’d blown it this time. Blown it bad.
“Dan, I love you, too,” Jess whispered.
“What did you say?” He was almost afraid to have her repeat it in case he’d heard wrong. She smiled a watery smile and said a little louder,
“I love you.”
Dan stared at her for a moment, his heart beating double time, before he leaned down to kiss her. She loved him. His wife loved him. The timing had been bad. It couldn’t have happened at a worse moment. And it was a miracle.
~~~~~
“It’s a girl,” Dan announced to the small group in the waiting room. He noted that everyone was all here now. Apparently Emma had phoned Darby, and the troops had come out in force.
Nate and Ty had been dozing on the sofa, but jumped up at the sound of the door to stand anxiously beside their wives. Everyone else just crowded around him, slapping his back and offering him their congratulations.
“I’m an aunt,” Emma exclaimed, positively glowing as she beamed at the others, before looking back at Dan. “Are they all right?”
“They’re fine. You can see for yourself, if you want to,” he said, a twinkle in his eyes. He was whipped, but felt like he could take on the world. “Hold it,” he told them, when the group moved as one toward the door. “Only two at a time.”
“Aunt and Grandma first?” Nate offered. Needing no further prodding, the women tore down the hall, Dan following behind.
~~~~~
Jess, reclining in the bed, was cuddling a small bundle when her visitors tiptoed in. She’d known she’d have to let someone besides Dan hold their daughter, and was already wishing she didn’t have to, but Emma walked over, clad in a green surgical gown and gloves, and boldly held out her hands. Jess reluctantly handed the infant over.
“She’s beautiful, Jess.” Emma gazed lovingly at the tiny features and mostly bald head. “What’s her name?”
“Madeleine Kate,” Dan answered, crossing the room to stand beside his wife. He bent down and kissed her hair. “But we’re going to call her Kate.” Emma looked
at them for a moment, before returning her attention back to the baby.
“Madeleine? Isn’t that what Frank- Oops.” Her eyes darted toward them briefly, an apology in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Frank said he always wanted a daughter named Madeleine, so we honored that wish,” Jess murmured, looking up at Dan. “Kate is the name we chose.”
“It’s beautiful,” Monica said, peering over Emma’s shoulder, and stroking the fine hairs that almost covered Kate’s scalp. “She’s absolutely perfect.”
“We think so,” Dan said proudly, sitting down on the edge of the bed, and wrapping an arm around Jess. She smiled up at him. “Just like her mother.”
“Hmm.” Emma didn’t take her eyes off the baby, but asked, “Has something changed that we should know about?” Dan grinned from ear-to-ear, and pulled Jess just a little closer.
“Well, the only thing I can think of might be that we won’t be getting that annulment after all.”
~~~~~
“Tomorrow I’m getting a small refrigerator and a microwave to put in here,” Dan said with a yawn, handing Kate to Jess for a diaper change, while he headed for the kitchen to warm a bottle. At two weeks, the baby was still waking twice a night. Every night, yet neither one had the heart to insist on a four hour feeding schedule. Consequently, they hadn’t had a full night’s sleep in what felt like forever.
Staggering back upstairs, bottle in hand, he saw that Kate was lying quietly on the bed, and that her mother had dozed off. Smiling tenderly at Jess, he lifted the baby and carried her to the rocker, deciding to let his wife sleep. Soon Kate was sucking greedily, her small fists hugging either side of the bottle.
“You know, gorgeous, you’re going to have to start letting Mom and Dad get a little sleep,” he told his daughter softly, gently stroking her arm with his thumb. “Much as I love spending time with you, I’d rather do it when the sun is up.”
A glance at the alarm told him that time was fast approaching. He might as well stay up, and give Jess a little more time to rest.
Smiling as he watched her sleeping, it was still hard to believe she loved him, and he thanked God every day that she did.
He sat the bottle on the floor to put Kate against his shoulder, patting her back before she had much of a chance to fuss.
A wife. A child. Six months ago he hadn’t cared whether or not he ever had a family. Today, he didn’t know what he’d do without them. Each night when he held Jess in his arms, just before he fell asleep, his last thought was that tomorrow would be another good day.