The Christmas Cradle

by Linda Warren

  “Marisa,” her father said. “There will always be a place for you at Dalton’s.”

  “I’m not sure what direction my life will take, but I do know I’ll be a wife and mother and I will continue with my music.”

  “Oh, darling,” Vanessa whispered through her tears.

  “Then you’re not going back to Madame Hélèna’s?” Richard asked in a controlled voice.

  “Hélèna helped me when no one else would, and I will fulfill my commitment to her—even though I suspect she only hired me to get back at you.”

  “She’s a spiteful old witch.”

  “She’s a brilliant designer and her clothes should be in Dalton’s.”

  Richard smiled. “Then make it happen.”

  She smiled back, admiring his cleverness. “It’s not that easy, Father. My life is now with Colter and our child. I’ll leave the business deals to Reed. I had to tell you I’ve forgiven you, but it’ll take me a while to forget—if ever.”

  “Thank you, darling.” Vanessa stepped forward and hugged her, and Marisa hugged her back.

  She couldn’t go into the future with one foot in the past. She found she could make the transition easily now because so much was waiting for her.

  “I’d better go. I don’t want to stay away from Ellie too long.” Marisa saw fresh tears in her mother’s eyes, and if she felt any residue of resentment, it completely dissipated at the sight.

  “Do you…do you think you might one day allow us to see Ellie?”

  Marisa swallowed. “That’ll be up to Ellie and, of course, Colter.”

  “Tell us about her,” Reed invited.

  She nodded readily. “Ellie’s the most wonderful little girl. She’s bright, funny and she never walks, she’s always running. She has a dog named Sooner who she swears talks to her, and she’s not afraid of anything. She has two horses named Dandy and Sassy, and she rides almost as well as her father.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her,” Reed said.

  “Maybe soon,” she replied. “Now I have to go.”

  “Goodbye, Marisa.” Richard embraced her. “Just be happy.”

  “I am,” she said, fighting tears.

  She quickly left and ran to her car, then headed for home—her home, the place she’d been searching for. She’d done the right thing in seeing her parents. Now she could love Colter completely.

  COLTER CHECKED HIS WATCH again. It was just after twelve. Marisa should’ve been home by now. A farrier was shoeing a couple of his horses; Ellie was watching closely, which kept her occupied. She knew her mother loved her and would be back. He knew the same thing, but he didn’t want Marisa hurt or upset. He checked the time again.

  “If you look at that watch once more, you’re going to burn a hole through it.” Tulley leaned on the fence beside him.

  “I wish I knew what was happening.”

  “She’ll tell you all about it when she gets back.”

  Colter jammed his hands into his coat pockets. “Yeah. I’m just nervous for her and—”

  They both saw the car coming down the road, and Colter raced for the gate. Marisa parked by the garage, then got out and ran toward Colter. He met her halfway, caught her and swung her around and around. He set her on her feet, kissing her deeply. Finally he held her face with both hands.

  “How’d it go?”

  “Better than I ever dreamed. In some ways it’s as if they’ve become different people. They’re feeling a lot of pain over their actions, but I’ve forgiven them. It felt so good to be able to do that. By letting go of the heartache, I’m free to live a whole new life with you and Ellie.”

  “I love you,” he whispered, running his fingers through her long blond hair.

  She held his gaze. “I will love you forever.”

  “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy,” Ellie shouted, racing toward them.

  “Later,” she whispered.

  Ellie wrapped her arms around Marisa’s waist. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too.” She kissed the top of Ellie’s head.

  “Guess what, Mommy?”

  “What?”

  “Mr. Harvey is shoeing some horses and his son is gonna build Beauty a pen. Daddy asked him to.”

  “Really?” Marisa looked at Colter.

  “We can’t continue to keep her in the barn. She needs to be outside. I’ll have Rod make a shelter for her to get under when the weather’s bad. But eventually we have to let her go.”

  “You’re so wonderful.” She gave him another slow kiss.

  “Are y’all going to be doing that a lot?” Ellie asked, frowning at them.

  “Yep, a whole lot,” Colter said.

  “Then Mommy’s going to give you kisses in the morning and at night, too?”

  “Yep.” He grinned. “I’ve got two beautiful ladies. I’m one lucky man.”

  “Yes, you are.” Ellie nodded.

  Colter picked her up and groaned. “You’re getting heavy.”

  “No, I’m not. You’re just getting old.”

  “Old! I’ll show you old.” He tickled her rib cage and she giggled, squirming and squealing. Sooner barked agitatedly trying to reach her, and Marisa laughed.

  “Help me, Mommy,” she squealed more loudly.

  “Oh, no, you got yourself into that one.”

  Ellie slid to the ground amid a fit of childish laughter. Sooner eagerly licked her face.

  Colter slipped an arm around Marisa’s waist, and she rested her head on his shoulder. They had weathered the storm, and now laughter and sunshine would fill their days. When other storms came, they would face them as a family.

  Epilogue

  One year later

  Christmas Eve

  Colter knew Marisa was miserable, but he didn’t know what more to do. He’d rubbed her back, her legs, her neck until his arms ached. At nine months pregnant, nothing helped much. She’d had contractions earlier, and they kept waiting for them to start again, but they hadn’t.

  He listened to her steady breathing. Finally she seemed to be drifting into sleep. That was what he’d been hoping for—that she could get a good night’s rest. Both families were coming for Christmas dinner; so were Cari and Hazel. He didn’t think it was such a good idea, since the baby was due on the twenty-ninth, but it had been a year of forgiveness, change and acceptance, and Marisa wanted it—so he gave in. He found he couldn’t refuse her anything.

  Holding Marisa, his thoughts drifted back over the past year. His wife was awesome, as Ellie called her. She’d worked at Madame Hélèna’s until they discovered she was pregnant, then Hélèna had said she should go home and enjoy her family. Marisa was ready to do that because she was involved with Ellie’s school. The teachers were grateful for the help she provided with parties and outings, and for the music programs she arranged.

  After she left Madame Hélèna’s, Reed had talked her into taking a seat on the board of Dalton’s. Colter and Marisa discussed it for a long time, and in the end she accepted out of respect for Reed and the new ideas he was bringing to the company. Colter knew she’d made the right decision.

  He marveled at her energy and her talent. Between her and Reed, they’d made a deal with Madame Hélèna and, come spring, her line of clothes would be carried at Dalton’s for the first time. It was a major coup for the company, and Marisa had been the driving force behind it.

  Not only that—Marisa and Reed had put their heads together with Becky and Bart, and Dalton’s would now carry the Kincaid Boot. The boots would be in the stores in early March. Marisa and Reed were energized by the new ventures, and Dalton’s was flourishing, reaching a younger clientele while continuing to satisfy their older customers.

  Richard was still head of the board and CEO, but he kept a low profile. Vanessa had moved from New York to Texas and had taken an active seat on the board, but both Richard and Vanessa acquiesced to the ideas of their children. Vanessa now lived with Richard again, and although Marisa and Reed weren’t sure about the relationship,
their parents seemed to get along in a way they hadn’t in all the years they’d been married.

  Since Marisa was pregnant, Colter worried about her doing too much, but he had only to look at her to know she was fine. The pregnancy had gone smoothly, with no problems. She had more energy than ever. In the mornings, before taking Ellie to school, she and Ellie fed Beauty, whom they’d set free, but the deer never wandered too far from the barn.

  In the evenings Marisa played the piano, and he could see how much she enjoyed it. She’d joined the Dallas Symphony Orchestra as a guest soloist; a week before, she’d performed in the Christmas concert and invited family and friends—her parents, Reed, Cari, Hazel and Hélèna were among them.

  When she was introduced and came on stage, she faced the audience and said, “I dedicate this performance to my mother, Vanessa Preston, whose dreams I never understood as a child. As a mother I see them clearly. So tonight I play for my mother and her dreams.”

  Marisa played brilliantly, and although he knew little about Tchaikovsky or Bach, he knew that he was hearing a very gifted young woman. He experienced a moment of guilt—that he had come between her and the career she so richly deserved. But he realized that career wasn’t what she wanted. And these days Marisa knew exactly what she wanted.

  When Marisa had made the announcement that night, Vanessa had begun to cry. Ellie had helped her find a handkerchief in her purse, saying, “Don’t cry, Grandmother. Just listen.”

  Vanessa grabbed Ellie’s hand and listened to the whole performance that way—holding on to Ellie. And that was wonderful to see. Ellie felt no resentment toward her grandparents, none at all.

  When she’d met Richard and Vanessa for the first time, she’d asked in her usual, direct way, “Why didn’t you want me?”

  Vanessa had started to cry, and Ellie had done the same thing as she did later at the concert. She’d said, “Don’t cry, Grandmother. Please don’t cry.”

  Richard had sat down with Ellie and he’d told her how much they loved Marisa. He’d explained that out of their love, they’d made bad choices and decisions they regretted.

  From that day forward, he and Vanessa had forged a relationship with their granddaughter. They took things slowly because that was the way Colter and Marisa wanted it. But as the weeks passed, he could see another miracle happening—the Prestons loved Ellie and the feeling was returned. Ellie now had grandparents.

  He listened to Marisa’s breathing and it wasn’t steady anymore; it had become more labored. “You’re not asleep, are you.”

  “No.” She turned toward him, which was an effort because she’d gained a lot of weight. The doctor said the baby was going to be eight pounds or more. And they knew it was a boy. Not once had he heard her complain, though—both of them had thoroughly enjoyed the pregnancy. They were experiencing it together, and that made all the difference.

  “Do you think Ellie’s asleep?” she asked. “We have to put her gifts under the tree.”

  Colter crawled out of bed and reached for his robe. “You rest. I’ll do it.”

  “No way, Colter Kincaid.” She struggled to sit up. “I’m not missing any part of Ellie’s Christmas.”

  He helped her up and held her for a moment. He didn’t argue with her, since this was too important to Marisa.

  Kissing the side of her face, he took her hand and they walked to the door.

  “Wait,” she said. “I have to go to the bathroom…again.”

  “I’ll check and make sure Ellie’s asleep.”

  Marisa came out of the bathroom and stopped abruptly as a sharp pain gripped her. She’d been having light pains lying in bed, but didn’t want to alarm Colter or say anything until it was necessary. She grabbed the vanity as she realized water was running down her legs and pooling at her feet. Don’t panic. Don’t panic. Be calm. Be calm.

  “Colter,” she screamed, unable to still the anxiety in her. Be calm. Be calm. She squatted as another pain shook her.

  Colter was inside the bathroom in a split second. “What is it? What’s wrong?” he asked, kneeling beside her, his heart racing.

  “My water’s broken.”

  “What! OhmyGod!”

  “The baby’s coming,” she breathed between pains.

  He scooped her into his arms. “I’ll get your bag and we’ll go to the hospital.”

  Marisa shook her head. “No. We don’t have time. The baby’s coming now!”

  Colter’s eyes grew enormous. “No. It’s too quick. We have to go to the hospital.”

  A pain ripped through her and it was a moment before she could speak. “Colter, listen to me,” she said, each word slowly and carefully enunciated. “Put me on the bed and call 911, then call our doctor. The baby’s coming. We don’t have much time.” The swift cyclic pains were the type she’d had right before Ellie was born. She wasn’t having this baby in a vehicle.

  “Okay. Okay.”

  His arms trembled as he laid her down, and she knew he was trying to be calm but failing miserably. Colter quickly dialed 911. She took several deep breaths, then a sharp contraction hit her. She bit her lip to keep from screaming again.

  Tulley appeared in the doorway in his pajamas. “What’s wrong? I heard screaming.”

  Colter slammed the phone down. “Marisa’s having the baby.”

  “What!”

  “Get dressed and drive to the entrance so the ambulance won’t miss our turn,” Colter said, the stress showing on his face.

  “You got it.” Tulley turned as Ellie came charging into the room.

  “Why is everybody…” Ellie’s voice trailed off as she saw Marisa in bed with her knees drawn up. “Mommy, Mommy,” she cried, running to her, but Colter caught her before she could crawl onto the bed.

  “Mommy’s having the baby,” he told her. “So be gentle.”

  Sooner barked from the doorway.

  “Shh,” Ellie told him.

  Colter released her, and Ellie leaned toward Marisa, who wrapped an arm around her daughter.

  “Are you hurting, Mommy?” Ellie asked softly.

  “It’s a good kind of hurt, Ellie,” Marisa said, trying not to cry out. “Soon your baby brother will be here.”

  “Oh boy, I gotta call Grandmother and Aunt Becky.” She whirled around and Colter caught her again.

  “First go with Tulley so the ambulance won’t miss our turn.”

  Tulley came back, fully dressed, with a pan of hot water, fresh towels and sheets, and placed them on the dresser. “You might need those. Come on, shorty. We don’t want to miss that ambulance.”

  As they left, Colter picked up the phone and called their doctor. Marisa let out a long scream. She had to. She couldn’t hold it in as a strong contraction clenched her whole body.

  “Remember the breathing,” Colter said to Marisa, listening with one ear to the doctor and switching on the speaker phone. “Quick panting breaths.”

  Marisa just screamed.

  “Marisa,” Dr. Gates said. “Breathe, breathe, breathe. Don’t push just yet.”

  “Okay,” she answered, taking quick breaths and trying not to scream.

  “Colter,” the doctor continued, “take a look and tell me what you see.”

  He pulled up her gown, saw the blood and fluid and almost lost it. Then he noticed the crown of his son’s head and he was revived with wonder and strength. “I…I see the head,” he said, his voice cracking. “OhmyGod! The baby’s coming!”

  “Calm down,” the doctor instructed. “And don’t push, Marisa. Breathe, breathe, breathe. Looks like the baby’s in a hurry to get here. Colter, get lots of clean sheets and towels and something to tie the umbilical cord. The paramedics will cut it when they get there.”

  “Like what?” Colter asked in a frantic tone.

  “Some type of string, and get a bulb syringe. I’m sure you had one when Ellie was a baby.”

  “Yes.” He dashed into Ellie’s room. Where the hell was it? He ran to the utility room and found it in the m
edicine cabinet. He ran back. “I have the syringe and string from a kite. Is that okay?”

  “Yes. That’s fine. Cut a piece, then put several sheets beneath Marisa. Have towels ready and a washcloth to wipe the baby’s face.”

  Colter worked quickly and efficiently. He cut the string and gently shoved sheets beneath Marisa, piling towels and everything else he needed on the bed.

  “It’s all there,” he told the doctor.

  “Now wash your hands and the syringe, and get ready to deliver your son.”

  A strong contraction almost overwhelmed Marisa, and she screamed and breathed at the same time. Sweat ran down her face and she clutched her knees with both hands. But as long as Colter was there, she’d be fine.

  “Tell me what you see,” the doctor said.

  Colter crawled onto the bed and knelt between Marisa’s legs. “The head’s coming out,” he shouted.

  “Hold it with a clean towel. Do you see the face?”

  “Yes, yes, yes. Oh my God, yes.”

  “Wipe his face, and clear his mouth and nose with the syringe.”

  Colter carefully held the baby’s head and did as the doctor instructed, surprised his hands weren’t shaking.

  “Everything okay?”

  “So far,” Colter said raggedly.

  “Okay, Marisa, time to push. Push hard. Push your son into the world.”

  “We’re having a baby, sweet lady.” Colter smiled at her. “How are you?”

  “Gre—at. I love—you.” Words locked in her throat as the pain became more severe. She would not pass out. She would not let go—that was a vow to herself. She had to be awake for her son’s birth, and she had to see him, hold him.

  “Honey, one more push,” Colter said. “You have to push him out. Come on. One, two, three—push.”

  Marisa felt her strength waning. Push. Push. Push. She couldn’t. She had to. Taking a deep breath, she pushed with everything in her. A scream left her throat and she fell back on the bed as their son slid into Colter’s waiting hands.