Shattered Treasure

by Cindy Patterson

  “Of course, I am.” He gently caressed the back of her hand and with his other brushed a stray strand of hair from her eyes. “I had to see for myself that you would be all right.”

  She nodded, her eyes drifting closed again. “They gave me something to help with the pain. It makes me sleepy.”

  He studied the machine. Her heart rate was being monitored, but so was the baby’s. The steady rhythm calmed his nerves. He sat down softly on the mattress next to her, careful not to waken her, when she squeezed his hand. She pulled her body upward and her face twisted in pain.

  “What is it? Should I call for help?”

  “It’s the baby. She’s trying to come now.”

  She? Did Addison know it was a girl? She’d never talked about the baby, and neither had he. Addison was lying here in the emergency room because of the baby she carried … because of the baby’s father. How did Addison feel about this baby? He had never asked her and now regretted it. What if she wanted to talk about it but didn’t to protect his feelings?

  “The doctor told me they were trying to slow the labor down.”

  “What if it doesn’t work? What if the baby comes too soon—” She didn’t finish her sentence as her face twisted in pain.

  After it had passed, Logan responded to her question. “You can’t think that way. God is in full control of this. You have to trust him.” He squeezed her shoulder.

  “I’m so scared.”

  Tears filled her eyes and he leaned closer into her. “I won’t leave you.”

  The nurse entered and asked, “How are you feeling?”

  “The pain has increased, and the contractions are stronger.” She still squeezed his hand. “What does that mean?”

  The nurse studied the machine. “It’s too soon to tell. We’re monitoring your contractions, so we’ll just have to wait and see if they’ll slow down or not.”

  “Okay.”

  Addison’s soft tone, the way she showed respect as though she understood, though she didn’t, deepened his love. The nurse left, leaving them alone once again. But his resolve to open his heart remained and he wanted to ask her now, before another moment escaped.

  The vibration of Addison’s phone startled him, and the ring tone rang out through the room. Addison’s gaze darted around the room. “Is that my phone?”

  “Yes.” Logan pulled it from his pocket. “I grabbed it from your purse and called Taylor. They wouldn’t let me come back here at first. She’s on the way.”

  “Hello.” He paused, keeping his eyes locked with Addison’s. “No, she’s awake now. The doctor said she was going to be okay.” He handed the phone to Addison.

  He stepped to the window, looking through the darkened sky, grasping the reality of where they were. Why they were here.

  “I’m in labor, but they’re trying to slow it down. I’m thirty-four weeks, so if they can’t, the baby should be fine as long as there are no other health issues. They’ll have to keep the baby a few days longer,” she said, her voice breaking, “I don’t know. They have me on a monitor.” Addison paused, taking a deep breath.

  Logan listened to the one-way conversation. The unmistakable concern in Addison’s voice tortured him. He waited until she ended the call before he approached her.

  “Do you want me to go out so Taylor can come in?”

  Her chin dipped to her chest. “You both can be back here with me. You don’t have to stay though.”

  “I would like to—” He hesitated as the doctor entered the room.

  He walked past Logan and stopped at the edge of the bed. “How are we feeling?”

  “A little better. I haven’t felt a contraction in a while.”

  “When was the last one?”

  Addison glanced at the clock. “I don’t remember.”

  Logan took a step forward. “It’s been four minutes.”

  Within the next few hours, they admitted her to a labor and delivery room. She was in labor, but stable. Taylor helped Addison get settled into the bed, while Logan waited outside in the hallway. He called his mom.

  “She’s going to have the baby tonight? Oh, Logan. I’m so glad you decided to go to her. We’ll be there in a little while.”

  “You don’t have to come, it’s already so late.”

  “Yes, we do, especially if her aunt’s out of town. She’s like family to us.”

  Taylor stepped out when a nurse entered Addison’s room and he ended the call.

  “Thank God she’s going to be okay.” Taylor said. “I’m so glad you were there. What happened?”

  Logan remembered the teacher. He hadn’t followed them to the hospital. “I went to her house. One of the teachers she works with was standing on the porch talking to her.”

  “McKenzie?”

  Hearing Taylor mention the teacher’s name as if Addison had told her all about him nauseated him. “Are they seeing each other?”

  Taylor’s eyes crinkled under her frown. “What?”

  “I saw them together this afternoon.” He turned, the memory slamming into his consciousness as if it were happening all over again.

  “What do you mean you saw them together?” Taylor had taken a step closer. There was a certain determination in her voice. “Today?”

  He was hesitant to put his thoughts into words. “I found them kissing in her classroom—”

  Taylor’s smile was replaced by an incredulous look. “Wait. You were there? She didn’t tell me that.”

  The nurse left the room and told them they could go back inside. He started to walk through the door when Taylor grabbed his arm.

  “They weren’t kissing, Logan. McKenzie kissed her, but it wasn’t something Addison wanted. And no, they’re not dating. She’s in love with you. She has been for a long time.”

  Taylor walked past him, leaving him to gather his thoughts.

  Addison waited patiently for Logan and Taylor to return. This baby was coming tonight, and she wasn’t prepared to face the decision she’d been dreading all these months. She wanted to love this baby, to be the kind of mother she’d always longed to have. But how?

  “Logan, were you at my house?” she asked when he entered.

  “Yes, I got there around seven-thirty.”

  “I remember seeing you, but I thought maybe I was dreaming.” Addison stared at him in wonder. “Did you see McKenzie?”

  His eyes swept the room, his facial expression blank. “Yes.” He did not react until his gaze reached hers.

  Unspoken questions filled her mind and in that moment the memory of McKenzie’s words came rushing back. “Did he say anything to you?”

  Logan shook his head. “No, I never spoke to him.”

  She leaned against the propped-up pillows. “He said something about Philip. I thought he was talking about one of the students, but then he said, 'No, my cousin Philip.’”

  “Philip’s cousin?”

  “He said he graduated from UNCW too.”

  Logan’s detached stare broke her heart, but then, as if someone switched places with him, his gaze filled with a combination of love and protection. “Did he say anything else?”

  “No, I don’t remember anything after that.”

  “Did you tell McKenzie about Philip?” Taylor sat on the bed next to her.

  “No. He said Philip knows I’m pregnant.”

  Logan stood by the chair in the corner and stared through the window. She turned to Taylor, who was watching him also. The epidural had eased her pain and she now only felt the hardening of her middle.

  Her doctor entered the room. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Good. I’m beginning to feel pressure.”

  “That means it’s getting close. Let me check you to see how much progress we’ve made.”

  Taylor stood next to her bed holding her hand. Logan returned to the window while the doctor did his examination. Her heart ached with yearning at the sight of him standing here in her hospital room. She loved him. Desperately.

  “I
t’s time. I’ll be back shortly.” He closed the door behind him.

  Logan suddenly stood next to her. She never saw him move from the window.

  Taylor’s eyes widened. “It’s almost time. Do you want me to stay in here with you?”

  “Yes, thank you for coming, Taylor.”

  Taylor squeezed her hand. “Girl, you know I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

  Addison looked at Logan standing on her other side as her contraction relaxed. He had come to see her. She’d been hoping he would all day and now despite everything that had happened, he was here.

  His smile, when it finally reached his lips, revealed a depth of emotion she hadn’t seen before.

  “I’m glad you came.”

  “Me too.” Logan took her pinky in his. “I’m going to step out. I’ll be right down the hall in the waiting room.”

  “Thank you for coming. For being here.”

  He stepped outside but within seconds reopened the door. “Aunt Brenda’s here.”

  Addison’s tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “How did you—”

  “Logan called me.” Aunt Brenda kissed her on the forehead. “And it looks as if I made it just in time.”

  The doctor entered seconds later. “Are we ready to have that baby?”

  As agreements were lifted into the room around her, Addison whimpered. All those months of fears were finally coming to a head.

  Now that the time was here, she longed for her mama to hug her tight and tell her everything would be all right. Addison’s chin trembled. Thinking about her mama always made her sad. Made her wish things could go back to the way things were before daddy had died. Made her worry she wouldn’t be a good mama.

  Made her want to believe she would be.

  48

  One hour later, Logan stared in awe at the baby girl Addison held in her arms. Countless emotions fought for their place in his heart.

  Addison had been so brave and had given birth to this baby when it would have been so easy to take a different route.

  The admiration and respect Logan felt for this young woman caused a longing in ways he hadn’t known possible.

  Logan sat on the edge of Addison’s bed, his gaze drawn to the softness of the baby’s cheeks, her tiny lips, her squinting eyes.

  A nurse entered carrying some paperwork. “I’ll need you to fill these out when you can,” she said, placing the clipboard on a nearby table.

  He glanced at Addison and found her cheeks wet with tears. Their gazes met and he read her heart. Would she put Philip as the father on the birth certificate? Would she leave it blank? For the first time, Logan wished he was this baby’s father.

  “I’ll need to take the baby now,” the nurse continued, coming for the child bundled so tight Logan could barely see her face.

  Wonder enhanced Addison’s beautiful features as the nurse reached for the baby. A sob escaped Addison’s throat and the sound ripped through another layer of his heart as the nurse left the room with the baby. He had never seen so much love in an expression in his entire life—or how one could grieve so rapidly.

  “Why don’t we go downstairs for a coffee, Taylor, and give these two a few minutes alone?” Addison’s aunt said.

  Aunt Brenda and Taylor followed the nurse into the hall and closed the door behind them.

  “She’s so beautiful.” Addison turned her head slightly into her pillow and let her tears fall. “I love her, Logan. How am I going to let her go?”

  Logan’s commitment and desire strengthened. “You don’t have to.”

  Addison lifted her wet lashes to him. “What?”

  “You don’t have to give her up.” Logan searched Addison’s eyes, raw and tormented and painfully beautiful. He had never felt more connected to anyone than he did to Addison in that moment. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

  “But—”

  “I love you, Addison.” He sat down next to her and took her hand. “I want to marry you.” Battling a swell of emotion, he continued, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I promise to love you both forever.”

  Addison stared into his eyes, drawing him closer. “Logan, are you sure? What if you change your mind? What if—”

  “There will always be what-ifs. But I want to share all my what-ifs with you. I’m committing to you and your baby right now, Addison.”

  Addison reached up and swept a shaky finger through his hair. “I love you so much.”

  “Does that mean yes?”

  “Yes, that means yes.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. Absorbing her yes, his mind raced thinking of all the ways his life would forever be changed from this moment on.

  He pulled away from her only when his cell phone vibrated against his leg. He glanced at the message written across the screen. We’re here. Tell Addison we’re praying.

  “Do you feel up to having company?”

  Addison wiped the tears from her cheeks and sat up a little as the tiny lines on her forehead crinkled. “What do you mean?”

  “My mom and Ami are in the waiting room.”

  Her eyes widened, her expression astonished. “They’re here?”

  “I’ll go get them. I’ll be right back.”

  People were scattered throughout the waiting room, but he found his mom and Ami easily. Mom stood when he stepped toward her, and he fell into her arms. Unexpected tears welled in his eyes.

  Taking his hands, she pulled away. “What’s wrong? Is Addison okay?”

  “She’s fine. The baby and Addison—I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in all my life.”

  Mom squeezed his hands. “The baby has already come?” A wave of relief leaked into her voice.

  “Can we see her?” Ami asked.

  “Of course.”

  He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but the profound happiness in Mom’s eyes filled a jagged hole in the core of his soul.

  Mom’s shoulders lifted with excitement. “Oh, Logan. Take us to her.” His mom held so much love for Addison.

  Ami followed behind, and he slowed to keep pace with her.

  “She’ll be so happy to see you.”

  She glanced up, sorrow filling her eyes. “I’m sorry, Logan, for being so hard on you.” She slipped her arm beneath his. “Please forgive me.”

  He stopped and wrapped his sister in his arms there in the hospital hallway. “I love you.” He pulled away and looked into her eyes. “You were right all along, you know.”

  A half sob, half giggle fell from her lips. “I know.”

  He stepped backward and pointed the way to Addison’s room. “You go ahead. I need a few minutes.” His mom and sister walked away, and he sat and studied the square pattern of the waiting room carpet as he said a prayer of thanks.

  A few days later, Addison was near tears as she sat in the cool leather seat beside Logan, her mind unable to comprehend all the changes she’d faced over the last few days. She had given birth to a baby girl and was taking her home. She’d accepted a marriage proposal from Logan, and the three of the them would be a family. A real family. Sophia was secure in the car seat behind her, but Addison kept peeking over her shoulder unable to keep her eyes off her.

  She was so beautiful—so perfect.

  When Logan started the truck, Addison forced herself into her seatbelt and stared through the passenger window as the world sped by in a blur. It was hard to sit still for the ten-minute ride with the baby sleeping right behind her. “There’s so much to do. I need to call Principal Andrews. I have to move my things out of the house in Jacksonville.” She shot Logan a quick glance. “I need to call Charlotte.”

  “Don’t worry. We will have plenty of help.” Logan pressed his lips to her temple after he parked the truck. “But first we have to get the nursery ready for Sophia.”

  Logan’s voice caressed her as he spoke Sophia’s name. Addison followed Logan as he carried Sophia’s baby seat up the stairs of her aunt’s porch. All at once
, a current of emotion surged through her, baring her pent-up feelings. The happiness, the desire, the love she felt for Logan.

  Shutting the door, she turned to face him. “Thank you for everything.”

  Logan set the carrier, holding her sleeping baby, on the floor next to where they stood and gently took her hands into his. When he pulled her against his chest, she savored the feel of being in his arms again. The woodsy scent of his cologne filled the space between them and a wave of burning desire washed over her. She had longed for the feel of his lips against hers for months and she pulled back to look at him.

  Reaching up onto her tiptoes, she closed the space, connecting her smiling mouth to his, melting into him as he devoured her with a passionate kiss. Control of her emotions had long abandoned her as the kiss ended and she snuggled into his embrace.

  “I’m home.” The door burst open, breaking the moment.

  Logan rushed across the room to take the grocery bags from her aunt. The tenderness and loyalty he had shown in the last few days played over in her mind as Addison watched him from where she stood. He had stayed at the hospital, even though Aunt Brenda had offered to stay with her instead. And he stayed awake with her every time the nurse brought her the baby throughout the night.

  Smiling as Logan walked outside to gather more groceries from Aunt Brenda’s car, she thought to herself, I’m going to marry him.

  “This came,” Aunt Brenda said with apprehension.

  Addison took the envelope from her aunt as she walked outside to help Logan. It was addressed to her from New Hampshire with Philip’s name listed in the return address.

  Not until Aunt Brenda had closed the door behind her did Addison sit on the floor beside Sophia and open the envelope from Philip, her hands trembling.

  Addison,

  I know I’m the last person you want or expected to hear from, but I needed to do this, for you and myself.

  I’m not writing to give you excuses, but to ask your forgiveness for my behavior and the awful things I’ve done to you.

  I have been in a very bad place for a very long time and only added to it with the drugs and alcohol.