WindSwept Narrows: #8 Hannah Taylor

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “You have homework to do…” he kissed her lightly before leaving the bed and heading to the closet.

  ****

  Hannah was still thinking about the whole circle thing as she wandered toward Frannie’s office the next afternoon. She sat with Frannie in her office, her head shaking.

  “I don’t know what to do,” Hannah said simply. “In theory, it all sounds so easy. But…classes, and work and Lili and now Noah and…cooking and cleaning and shopping and…”

  “I think you should slow down, Hannah,” Frannie suggested quietly. “Think for a minute. First, you must talk to Noah and make a decision.”

  “I don’t know if I’m ready for another baby, Frannie,” she said softly. “I love my work. I want to learn more and more…if I talk to Noah, he might…” she shook her head.

  “I don’t know if this will help or not, Hannah…but having Noah in your life is part of the whole balance thing that’s missing in a single parents’ existence. Think about this weekend. Noah took Lili out to play while you got things accomplished. With or without Noah, you still had cooking and cleaning and shopping,” Frannie leaned back in her chair. “You’re four weeks pregnant. It would be a very simple procedure if you choose not to have a baby now.”

  “I know…” Hannah stood up and went to the door. “I’ll make a choice on Friday. I have to think. Thanks for listening, Frannie.”

  Noah shook the chilled can and slid it in front of Hannah as she read through her calendar at the counter on Wednesday morning. She absently lifted it and drank, a frown tilting her lips.

  “I put in the address changes for my mail,” she commented, glancing at Lili as she finished her cereal. “Don’t forget…Lili and I are going to the mall at noon, so I’m not sure what time we’ll make it home.”

  “I’ll be here a little after four,” Noah said with a shrug. “Barring complications…and I’m bringing pizza home,” he promised the little girl with a bright grin as his thanks. “We got a plan.”

  “Mama?” Lili crooked her finger, whispering in her ear.

  Hannah crooked her finger at Noah, passing on the whisper.

  “She wants to know if you’ll come to show and tell this morning at ten,” Hannah asked softly.

  “Tell her to ask me herself,” Noah returned, keeping a serious face. He watched the exchange continue until Lili put her spoon down and looked him in the eyes.

  “Will you come to show and tell, please, Noah?”

  “I would be delighted, Miss Lili,” he kissed her nose and grabbed up his keys before kissing Hannah. “Later. Drive careful out there.”

  “You, too!” She called, quickly cleaning up the kitchen and getting Lili into her jacket. She wandered if she should have warned him about the show and tell Lili had planned, but decided to simply watch him at ten AM.

  Eve sat in the room with the three year olds as they presented their first show and tell class. Lili sat on the side, looking over her shoulder now and then anxiously, her little face a taut frown until she saw the door open. Noah glanced around as he entered, inhaling slowly since he’d run most of the way to get there on time. He caught sight of Lili and was immediately trapped in the bright stars in her eyes, a broad grin on her face. He wasn’t the only adult there and was surprised when Hannah came in a few minutes later.

  Hannah aimed the little video recorder and waited. Lili stood up when it was her turn and went to Noah, taking his hand and leading him to the front of the small room.

  Other kids had also brought their parents and told why.

  “This is Noah,” Lili told her class mates with a bright smile. She tugged on his hand until he dropped to his heels.

  Noah frowned when Lili tugged on the white smock. He looked at her quizzically.

  “What do you want me to do, Lili?” He glanced up at Eve and then at Hannah, the first shot of trepidation going through him when he saw her biting her lip.

  “Take this off,” Lili said simply, pulling the smock off when he moved his arms back. “Now…turn this way…”

  Noah felt his mouth open, his shoulders not moving.

  “I want to show them,” Lili said with a frown, moving around him and trying to push his shoulder to face the kids and various parents.

  “Lili, I don’t…” Noah looked into the wide blue eyes and groaned, his shoulder giving way to the child pushing, his sigh long. He watched her struggle with the sleeve, pushing it totally out of the way and stretching the fabric with her little hands.

  “He’s a doctor and this is his healing angel. Isn’t she beautiful?” Lili whispered, her hand up to urge her friends closer. “He was in the Army and helped soldiers live. That’s his job.”

  None of the kids saw the flush of heat in Noah’s cheeks as they admired the tattoo. The kids all returned to their seats and Hannah felt her heart jump when Lili tiptoed and kissed his cheek.

  “You’re the best daddy ever,” she told him with a hug.

  Noah felt his world explode, his arm out and holding her close for a few seconds. He knows he heard Eve congratulating the kids and he heard parents gathering kids for the early start to the Thanksgiving weekend. Until he saw the video, he didn’t know he was wearing such a big grin on his face.

  He watched Lili go off with some friends and play, his attention on the woman watching him.

  “You knew what she was going to do,” he said, walking with Hannah to the hallway.

  “She asked me if it was okay,” Hannah admitted. “I didn’t know about the last part. She never asked me…if it’s okay…are you alright with that? If not, Noah, I can talk to her…”

  “Huh…yeah…it’s okay,” he answered, feeling warm all the way to the floor. “I’ll see you later. I’ve got appointments to see…” He kissed her and took off at a light run along the corridor.

  Hannah was still puzzling through the look deep in his eyes as they shopped. He wasn’t opposed to the idea of being a father at all. Being responsible did not mean being against, she thought.

  Frannie was right. She had to talk to him before making a decision.

  Chapter Nine

  Noah stood before the mirror at noon, straightening his tie when he saw Hannah and Lili come out of the back bedroom. Lili’s hair had been pulled back into a tiny ponytail, the dress she wore a mix of crème and blue, the skirt twirling around her knees as she twisted, giggling at the movements.

  “Look!” She exclaimed when she saw him looking. She took off at a run and launched herself into his arms. “New shoes!”

  “Very pretty,” Noah felt himself lost in the blue eyes watching him, her dress similar to Lili’s, a blue and crème that dropped to the middle of her calves, red toes peeking out through the low heels she liked.

  “I got a new coat, too,” Lili wiggled to be set down, going off to her bedroom.

  “You look beautiful, Hannah,” he took her palm, her fingers cold in his hand. The top had a scooped neckline, tiny buttons down the front and soft sleeves barely touching her elbows. His hand settled over the slim gold belt, his mouth down to gently cover hers. “Very pretty,” he whispered, lifting the thick crème shawl she held in the other hand and draping it around her shoulders. “Close your eyes, Hannah.”

  Noah pulled the delicate silver chain from his pocket, opened the clasp and let it rest against her throat, fastening it and guiding her to the mirror. Her fingers went to the pendant, the blue heart sparkling and surrounded by diamonds. She looked up into the mirror at the grin on his face.

  “Noah…it’s beautiful…thank you.”

  “A girl needs some bling,” he teased, kissing her forehead. “And it matches your eyes.” He held up a smaller one. “Just so you don’t get anxious…yours is real…this isn’t…Lili!” He called out, dropping to his heels with a wink at the woman watching him. He turned Lili away from him, fastening the sturdier chain around her neck and lifting her in his arms to see in the mirror next to Hannah.

  Lili lifted the little heart, her eyes wide.


  Noah decided that the hug he received from those tiny little arms would never get old.

  “Now…we need to get going, ladies, or we’ll be fashionably late,” Noah lowered Lili to the floor and helped her get into her jacket while Hannah waited by the door. “You’re staring again,” he whispered, buckling Lili into the car seat and adjusting the driver’s seat before joining her in the car.

  Hannah knew she had butterflies in her stomach as they approached the large, unfamiliar house. A valet took the car off and Noah lifted Lili in his arm, his other hand comfortably entwined with Hannah’s. She listened and watched, introduced to people working for his parents as well as friends in the large room filled with tables and chairs. She knew there were tears in her eyes at the way he held Lili, introducing her, inviting her giggles with his teasing and helping her with a large decorated cookie.

  When the sun came out a little after two, Hannah was with the group of smaller kids that wanted a chance to run on the dry, covered deck and patio. She had Lili and another small girl with her when they stopped at the top of the stairs. But Hannah’s shoes hit a spot of moss and she went into a skid down the short grade and into the low fence posting.

  Noah came outside in time to see her strike the posts and bounce off, rolling down the wide stairs to the grass below. He shouted her name and issued orders for the kids to get inside before he took off at a run. Hannah was sitting upright, shaking her head when he got to her.

  “Hannah!”

  Pale lashes blinked and looked up at him, smiling. She tried waving him off, but he was lifting her off the ground before he would listen.

  “Noah!” Hannah laughed and laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m okay. Can’t have a little kid and not fall a few times, believe me. Put me down, okay?” She felt the ground beneath her feet and tried straightening her dress.

  “No loss of dignity?” Noah helped her smooth down the dress, meeting the arched eyebrow.

  “Try giving birth in a room of strangers,” she suggested with a wink, striding into the large dining area and locating Lili.

  “She’s got you on that one,” his mother said with a chuckle and gentle pat on his cheek. “So…tell me where you met Hannah,” she said with a smile.

  Hannah took Lili to the restroom and got them both cleaned up. She was positive she could name every thing her daughter ate from the spots she was cleaning but only shook her head, straightened the little ponytail and sent her back to play.

  She watched Noah talking to old friends and leaned against the comfortable chair she’d found, listening and talking about the big after turkey day shopping sprees being planned.

  She drained half the glass of cranberry juice when she felt the first twinge in her abdomen. It was dark outside, almost five when she glanced at the clock and made an effort to stand when the first large cramp struck her.

  It had been a little over two hours since she fell, she realized, stark reality striking at her strongly.

  She fell back into the chair, one arm across her middle. It hurt. She was breathing too fast and scanned the room, trying to remember where she left her purse.

  She needed to talk to Frannie. Hannah forced herself to straighten up, closed her eyes and pulled in a long, slow breath before putting her hands down flat on the chair and pushing herself to her feet.

  Hannah made it two steps before another wave of cramping bent her over and sent her to her knees with a soft groan. Several people came over to her at the same time Susan placed her palm on Noah’s arm.

  “Noah, something’s wrong with Hannah,” Susan gave him a little push, something she realized was unnecessary, as he immediately broke into a brief run and was on the floor next to her. Susan spoke to someone near her who immediately nodded and looked toward Lili playing on the floor. She quickly crossed the floor to Noah and Hannah.

  “Noah…I need my phone,” Hannah used his hand and pulled herself to her feet, mustering a small smile. “I’m fine…I just…” another groan broke free, without her permission. “Oh, god…it hurts…”

  “Hannah…what’s wrong?” Noah didn’t wait for permission, lifting her in his arms and looking at his mother.

  “Noah…please…my phone…I have to talk to Frannie,” she said painfully, her head falling to his shoulder no matter how strong she wanted to be.

  “Hannah, you’re not fine,” he frowned at the perspiration breaking out on her forehead. “Let me…”

  “Your room is clean and empty, Noah,” Susan took Hannah’s palm. “He’ll take care of you, Hannah…I’ll watch Lili…”

  “No…put me down,” She struggled weakly. “Noah, you’re not…I want Frannie…”

  “I’m a doctor, Hannah, I can…”

  “You’re not my doctor, Noah! You’re my husband! I want Frannie…please…” She couldn’t stop the tears from falling through her shout, nor did she see the expressions on the faces of everyone in the room and hall. Noah continued carrying her from the room and up the wide staircase to the familiar room. His mother was behind him, pushing the door wide for them.

  “Where’s your phone, Hannah?” Noah ground out between his teeth, laying her on the large bed and taking a step back. He felt completely helpless as she curled slightly from the pain. He had his suspicions.

  “I think…I saw her bag and shawl in the dining room, Noah, where you were all sitting at dinner,” Susan went with him to the hall. “Noah…”

  “Yes, we’re married,” his voice was quietly dry. “Four weeks tomorrow, mom. I’ll be right back…” he took the stairs two at a time, quickly finding her shawl and bag and digging inside. He stood outside the bedroom, tapped the phone a few times and waited, pacing impatiently. “Frannie, it’s Noah Madison. I’m sorry to bother you…Hannah took a fall a couple hours ago…yes…yes and I think…yes, I know…she won’t let me…damn it, I know I’m her husband but I can damn well…alright, thanks…yes, I’ll shoot it right to you.” He ended the call and quickly sent her the address in a text, then snapped the phone closed and dropped it into Hannah’s bag, leaving them both on the nightstand.

  “What’s wrong, Noah?” Susan asked softly, watching the worry on his face.

  He took her hand and led her to the hall, two hands raking through his hair as he paced like a husband, not a doctor, he realized.

  “Hannah…she’s probably having a miscarriage, mom,” he said quietly. “She was outside with the kids and fell against the railing…pretty hard…I…she won’t let me…”

  “You’re a good doctor, Noah…it’s difficult to explain, but I understand what she means,” Susan said gently, going into the bathroom and finding a cloth, damping it down and sitting at Hannah’s side, placing the cool cloth on her forehead. “Wait downstairs for this Frannie, alright?”

  Hannah opened her lashes slowly, looking around. “Susan…I’m so sorry…”

  “Don’t you dare apologize,” Susan warned with a smile, her hand taking Hannah's with a squeeze. “I’ve never seen my son look so happy in his life, Hannah, and I thank you for that. I know it hurts…I’ve had a few myself before I managed to have Noah. But we’re tough…” She wiped gently at the tears flowing from the closed eyes.

  Noah stood in the doorway, watching the unfamiliar SUV come along the driveway. Tense as he was, he had to smile at the ankle boots that hit the ground almost at a run. She held her bag in one hand, her dress in another as she moved at a very fast walk toward him.

  “Where is she?” Frannie demanded instantly, following Noah until they reached the door, her palm on his chest. “No. Wait out here.” She closed the door firmly in his face, moving to Hannah quickly, introducing herself to Susan as she dropped her cloak and began examining her.

  Frannie and Susan helped her into the steaming sunken bath. Frannie sprinkled a generous helping of bath salts and put a thick towel on the side. Susan went out to talk to Noah.

  “Do I need to give you a lecture about birth control, Hannah?” Frannie teased softly, meeting the blu
e eyes with a smile. Hannah turned over and lay in the water on her stomach, her hand reaching for the button and sending the jets blasting around her. “Stay there awhile, okay?”

  “Thank you, Frannie…I’m sorry about your holiday…”

  “Hey, don’t you even…” She grinned. “Donovan was too funny…I think he was afraid I’d draft him as birthing coach again,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m going back home. You’ll be good as new in a couple days.”

  Noah was pacing a hole in the carpeting. He’d checked on Lili who was comfortably ensconced on Granpa’s lap listening to a story. His mother came out but didn’t say anything.

  “Thanks for coming out,” Noah looked at Donovan.

  “I’m just the driver…she’s good at her job,” Donovan said simply, both of them looking up when the door opened again. Frannie held her hand out to him.

  “Do you want to go someplace…” She looked at Noah expectantly, but he shook his head. “She was four weeks pregnant. She’s not now. We have her in the Jacuzzi soaking. I told her spend most of the weekend in a tub. I gave her some herbs, she knows how to use them. Do I need to give you a lecture about birth control? No…good…if you two…plan another child, not until after the first of the year, okay? Give her body time to fix itself. I’ll see you at work. You know how to reach me if you need me, Noah. Bye…nice meeting you, Susan.”

  “I’ll go see to my guests and make sure Lili isn’t worried,” Susan hugged her son warmly. “Go spend time with Hannah.”

  Noah tossed his suit coat to the bed where Hannah’s clothes lay in a neat pile. He lifted the stool from beneath the counter and set it lightly next to the sunken tub. His fingers shook slightly when he brushed the damp bangs from her forehead, the pale lashes opening slowly.

  Hannah had her arms crossed on the thick, fluffy towel. Her head resting on top. She unfolded one arm, entwining her fingers with his.

  “I’m sorry I yelled at you,” she said with a weak smile.