by Marie Force
“Where have you gone off to, love?” he asked, his cock hard against her center.
“I’m here,” she said, reaching for him. “I’m right here.”
He thrust into her, filling her so completely in every possible way. Her heart overflowed with love for him, with the desire to have everything with him. She wanted little Irish babies who looked just like him and yearned to watch them grow up with him by her side.
Victoria hadn’t often entertained those thoughts, because she’d always suspected something was holding him back from fully committing to her. Now that she knew why, it was like the floodgates had opened and all the things she wanted so desperately surged to the surface, making her cling to him as he made love to her.
They’d been together long enough that he sensed something was wrong. “What is it, Vic? Why’re you so tense?”
“I’m sorry,” she said, unable to let go and relax after the emotionally charged day she’d had. Soon she would have no choice but to do something with the information Seamus had given her. But not now. Not tonight. She wrapped her legs around his waist and ran her fingers through the thick hair that curled at the ends.
“You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Don’t stop.”
He grasped her hips and picked up the pace.
Normally, she couldn’t form a coherent thought when he was inside her, but tonight, pleasure was no match for the insecurities that filled her mind.
“Tell me you’re close, love,” he said, sounding tense.
“So close.” She wasn’t. She’d never faked it before with him. She hadn’t had to.
“You feel so good.”
Victoria held him tight, fighting the emotional firestorm that threatened to erupt at any second.
“Vic,” he said, sounding desperate as he came with a gasp, surging into her.
She couldn’t find the wherewithal to pretend she’d come, too. Instead, she caressed his back and continued to run her fingers through his silky hair.
“What’s wrong?” he asked after a long silence. “If you were too tired, you could’ve said so.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“You’re not going to tell me what’s on your mind?”
“Not now, if that’s okay.”
He withdrew from her and moved to his back, bringing her with him and arranging her head on his chest, usually her favorite place to sleep. But now she had reason to wonder if the heart that beat so hard and fast belonged to her or if it would forever belong to the woman he’d loved and lost so tragically.
“Whatever it is,” he said softly in the voice that touched her soul, “I hope you know you can talk to me.”
“I know.” Victoria closed her eyes tight against a new flood of tears that wanted out. She felt so raw and exposed, as if her heart were outside her body, unprotected. If she gave in to the tears, she feared they might never stop.
Exhaustion was her savior, dragging her into the oblivion only sleep could provide.
* * *
It was still dark when Victoria woke to her ringing cell phone. Groaning, she left the warmth of Shannon’s embrace to grab the phone, taking it with her to the bathroom, where she closed the door so she wouldn’t disturb him.
“This is Victoria.”
“It’s Luke Harris. I think Syd is in labor. It’s come on fast and furious.”
“Can you get her to the clinic?”
“I don’t think so. She says she needs to push right now.”
In the background, Victoria could hear Sydney’s anguished cries. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Thank you so much.”
Victoria ended the call and found David’s number on her list of contacts.
“Dr. Lawrence,” he muttered.
“David, wake up. Sydney Harris is in labor at home, and it’s happening fast. Can you meet me at their place?” She pictured him sacked out on the sofa in his office.
“Yeah.”
“Are you awake?”
“I am now.”
“Hurry.”
“On my way.”
Victoria got dressed as fast as she could, took a second to brush her hair and teeth, and then grabbed the bag she kept at home, just in case. It contained some of what they’d need, but not everything. She left a note for Shannon and headed out. From the car, she called Katie.
“Sorry to wake you up, but Sydney Harris is in labor at home. I need a few things from the clinic. Can you help me out?”
“Of course,” Katie said, sounding wide awake when she’d been fast asleep one minute ago.
Victoria gave her a list of the supplies she needed.
“Did you call David?”
“He’s on his way. I didn’t want to slow him down by asking for supplies.”
“Understood. I’ll be quick.”
“Thanks, Katie.”
Victoria yawned and glanced at the clock. Quarter to six. She’d gotten about two hours of sleep. Nowhere near enough. Three babies arriving in twenty-four hours was an island record. Fortunately, none of her other expecting moms was close to term, so she should get a break after the Harrises’ baby arrived.
She felt a twinge of anxiety about how Sydney’s much-anticipated child would enter the world at home and not in the clinic. Like Tiffany and Jenny, Syd had been due to deliver on the mainland in two weeks. But the baby apparently had other plans. Nothing could go wrong with this delivery. There was, Victoria thought, no room for error.
Sydney had lost her first husband and two children in a drunk-driving accident a few years ago. After she married her first love, Luke Harris, Sydney had undergone a procedure to reverse her tubal ligation and had soon conceived what she called her miracle baby. If anyone deserved a miracle, Sydney did, and Victoria was determined to make sure she got one.
Victoria pulled into the Harrises’ driveway and parked next to Syd’s Volvo. She’d been here a few times for one of the frequent girls’ nights out that the island women were so fond of, especially since the guys always crashed. Grabbing her bag, she ran for the door, where Luke greeted her, looking tense and worried.
“Is it bad that the baby is coming so fast?”
“It’s not uncommon when it’s the mom’s third child. Try not to worry.”
“That’s like telling me not to breathe.”
Sydney let out a cry from a bedroom in the back of the house.
“Vic…”
“I know, Luke. We’re going to do everything we can for her. David and Katie are on their way. We’ve got this, but she needs you, too. Get yourself together and come help her.”
He nodded and gestured for her to head down the hallway to the bedroom on the left.
After being told that Sydney’s first two children had arrived quickly, she’d tried to prepare Sydney—and Luke—for the possibility of that happening again.
“Vic,” Syd said, sounding frantic, “the baby is coming.”
She was propped up on pillows, towels under her, legs splayed.
On first glance, Victoria could see that the baby was crowning. “When you say fast, you mean it.”
“I had a backache all day yesterday. Do you think that was labor?”
“I would say so. Let me wash up, and we’ll get that baby out to meet her mom and dad.”
“Please hurry. I can’t stop it.”
Victoria went into the adjoining bathroom to thoroughly wash her hands. Then she donned gloves and a gown before positioning herself between Syd’s legs.
Luke came into the room, seeming noticeably calmer than he’d been when he greeted her. “Where do you want me?”
“Behind Syd so you can support her when she pushes.”
He got on the bed and took his place behind his wife, gathering her long red hair and smoothing it back from her face.
“On the next contraction, I want you to push,” Victoria said. “As hard as you can.”
Sydney nodded, and though she looked determined, Victoria cou
ld also see a hint of panic.
“Everything’s going to be fine, Sydney,” Victoria said, praying that was true. “Focus on breathing. Deep breath in. Hold it. Now let it out.” She walked her through several more deep breaths before Sydney tensed with the start of the next contraction. “Okay, let’s do it.”
She’d pushed twice by the time David and Katie arrived.
“We’re almost there,” Victoria told them. “One more big push, Syd.”
With Luke’s arms around her, Sydney screamed as she pushed her daughter into the world.
Victoria held her up for her parents to see.
“Oh, Syd,” Luke said. “Look at her!”
The baby let out an indignant cry, her face turning red with the rage of being disturbed.
Victoria quickly cut the cord and turned the baby over to David so she could focus on Syd.
“Is she okay?” Luke asked.
“She’s perfect,” David said. “What’s her name?”
“Lillian Alice Harris,” Sydney said as tears ran down her face, “after Luke’s mom and mine. We’re going to call her Lily.”
“What a beautiful name,” Victoria said.
“My parents are going to be so bummed that they missed this,” Syd said. “They’re in Wisconsin until next week. So much for their plan to be back for my due date.”
“They’ll be thrilled to hear she’s safely arrived and it all went well,” Luke said.
“Yes, they will.”
David brought the baby to her elated parents and put her in Sydney’s arms.
These were the moments that made Victoria’s professional life so very rewarding. She found herself wiping away tears right along with Sydney and Luke, which wasn’t uncommon. After spending nearly a year tending to her moms—and their nervous partners—it was always an emotional moment to welcome a new baby, especially one like Lily, who truly was a miracle.
“She’s so beautiful, Syd,” Luke said. “Just like her mother.”
“She looks like you,” Syd said.
“No way. God wouldn’t be that mean to her.”
Everyone laughed.
“She should be so lucky to look like her gorgeous daddy,” Syd said, gazing at the baby with amazement and joy that had been a very long time coming.
“Does Syd need to go to the clinic?” Luke asked.
“If you don’t mind if I stick around for a couple of hours to keep an eye on both your ladies, they should be able to stay here,” Victoria said.
“That’s totally fine with us,” Luke said.
“I need to get back to the clinic,” David said. “We’re having a regular baby boom around here.”
“We heard Tiffany and Jenny had their babies, too,” Luke said.
“I see a big first birthday party in our future a year from now,” Katie said.
“I can’t believe she’s finally here,” Sydney said, staring at her daughter.
Luke kept his arms around Syd as she relaxed against him.
Victoria left the room to give them a few minutes alone.
Katie had already left, but David lingered.
“Did you get a chance to talk to Shannon?”
Victoria shook her head. “It was so late when I got home. I didn’t want to get into it then. Hopefully, we’ll have time to talk later.”
“We should be out of the baby delivery business for a while now.”
“Let’s hope so. Three in twenty-four hours is a new record.”
“One I hope we don’t beat any time soon.” He squeezed her arm. “Call me if you need me—for anything.”
“I will. You guys will take care of my appointments today?”
“We’ve got you covered.”
Her absence would make for a busy day for David and Katie, but they could handle the extra appointments.
“Did Tiffany and Jenny have a good night?”
“The babies were up and down, but overall, everyone got some sleep. I’m going to send them all home today.”
“Sounds good. Tell them I’ll see them in six weeks or sooner if need be.”
“Will do.” He paused on his way out the door. “So this isn’t the time or the place, but Daisy will kill me if I don’t get this taken care of.”
“Get what taken care of?” Victoria asked, looking up at him in confusion.
“I was supposed to ask you two weeks ago if you’d be in our wedding.”
“For real?”
“Yes, for real,” he said with exasperation and laughter. “You’re one of my best friends and—”
Victoria hurled herself at him, taking him by surprise.
Luckily, he recovered and caught her before they landed on the floor. “Is that a yes?” he asked, laughing.
“Yes! I’d love to be in your wedding. You’re one of my best friends, too. Am I a groomsman or a bridesmaid?”
“Bridesmaid,” he said. “You’d look silly in a tux.”
“No, I wouldn’t. I could totally rock a tux.”
“I’ll let you work that out with Daisy,” he said, cuffing her chin on the way out the door.
“David?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for asking me. Means a lot.”
“Thanks for saying yes.”
Victoria smiled and waved as he headed for the driveway. She was so happy for him and Daisy. After the guilt and recriminations he’d suffered through after his engagement to Janey had ended in dramatic fashion after she caught him in bed with another woman, David had worked hard to turn his life around. He’d been so happy since he’d fallen in love with Daisy, and Victoria couldn’t wait to dance at their wedding.
While she was truly happy for her friends, she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d ever get to dance at her own wedding.
Chapter 5
As the first boat off the island cleared the South Harbor breakwater and headed for the mainland, Shannon made his way to the bow, his favorite place to stand during the hour-long ride. He stood at the rail, letting the spray from below wash over him every time the big ferry crested a wave. With his cousin at the helm, Shannon relaxed and took in the scenery as they traveled along the island’s rugged north coastline.
He loved this job and the island and the life he’d found there with Victoria, Seamus, Carolina and their vast circle of friends. After a year, Gansett felt like home in a way that Ireland hadn’t for quite some time. When he’d accompanied his aunt Nora on her trip to visit Seamus, he certainly hadn’t expected to stay when she left to go home.
But he also hadn’t expected to meet Victoria his first night on the island. Two weeks later, he’d been nowhere near ready to leave her. He still wasn’t, which counted as the biggest surprise of the last year.
Nine years after losing his beloved girlfriend in an act of senseless violence, he was a shell of the man he’d once been. But lately, since he met Vic, to be precise, things had been better. The dark moods didn’t come on as often as they used to, and he had new reason to get up in the morning, to function, to put one foot in front of the other and carry on. She’d been perfect for him, a wonderful, sexy companion who didn’t ask more of him than he was capable of giving. She would never know how much he appreciated that.
She was off delivering yet another baby. He hadn’t heard the phone or her early morning departure. He greatly admired her professional competence and her devotion to her patients. The island’s female population was lucky to have her, and they knew it. She was forever coming home with flowers or other gifts her grateful patients had given her.
“Gonna be another scorcher.” Shannon immediately recognized the sound of home in his cousin’s voice.
“What’re you doing up here? You’re supposed to be at the helm.”
“One of the new captains was hitching a ride back and offered to relieve me. He needs the experience, so here I am.”
“Does he know what he’s doing?” Shannon asked, eyeing the bridge warily.
Seamus barked out a laugh. “I only hire th
e best. Not to worry.”
“If you say so.” His cousin was nothing if not meticulous when it came to running the company owned by Carolina and her son, Joe.
“Vic came to see me yesterday.”
Shocked to hear that, Shannon stared at his cousin, almost afraid to ask. “How come?”
“She had some questions.”
“About me?”
Seamus nodded.
Shannon’s chest felt like it was being compressed by something heavy and unforgiving, the way it had in the days that followed Fiona’s death. “What did you tell her?”
“What she needed to know.”
“Seamus! Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
“Relax. I only gave her the big picture. None of the details.”
His mind raced as he tried to absorb the implications. So that was why she’d been so tense last night. “You had no right.”
“I had every right. She cares about you. She wants to understand you.”
“It’s not your place to fill in the blanks for her.”
“Whose place is it, then? You’re never going to do it.”
“How do you know that?”
“It’s been a year, Shannon, and she’d never heard Fiona’s name.”
White-hot rage ripped through him. “And now she has?”
“Now she has.”
“It wasn’t your place! I can’t believe you’d interfere in my life this way! What gives you the right?”
“The woman who loves you asked me. That’s what gave me the right.”
“She doesn’t love me. She enjoys fucking me. Big difference.”
“You’re a bloody fool if that’s what you think. Open your goddamned eyes and look at what’s right in front of you before she gets tired of competing with a ghost she didn’t even know about and walks away.”
Shannon didn’t think before he reacted, punching his cousin in the face so hard that pain radiated from his hand up his arm.
